Photos by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
PLYMOUTH, Mich. - Two National Team Development Program players and one alum were selected in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft Friday evening at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
The first NTDP representation was defenseman Zeev Buium (San Diego, Calif. / University of Denver), who went off the board to the Minnesota Wild with the 12th overall selection.
In his U18 season at the NTDP in 2022-23, Buium helped lead the U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team to a gold medal at the 2023 IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championship. He went on to help the U.S. National Junior Team to a gold medal at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship and was part of the Denver Pioneers' 2024 NCAA national championship winning squad.
Forward Cole Eiserman (Newburyport, Mass.) was the next NTDP selection, going 20th overall to the New York Islanders.
Eiserman recorded 127 goals over his two years at the NTDP, the most ever in program history. His 193 total points ranks second to Jack Hughes for most career points at the NTDP.
"It's definitely a really cool feeling, I'm super excited to be an Islander," said Eiserman after the selection. "I see the game differently than a lot of people and I'm excited to bring that [to New York]."
Right-handed defenseman EJ Emery (Compton, Calif.) was the third and final NTDP selection off the board on day one, going 30th overall to the New York Rangers.
Emery finished with a plus-41 ranking over his two years at the NTDP, and put up 26 assists and two goals for 28 points.
"I'd say my skating ability and how well I play defense," Emery mentioned when asked about his best attributes. "I'm good at being a lock-down guy and somebody who can shut down plays, then get the puck up the ice and make plays."
“I model my game after [NTDP alum] K’Andre Miller, so I’m not complaining about wearing this jersey now. I haven’t met him yet, but hopefully pretty soon.”
The NTDP has 17 additional players ranked by NHL Central Scouting who will be looking to hear their names called tomorrow.
Day 2 of the 2024 NHL Draft, which includes Rounds 2-7, begins tomorrow morning at 11:30 a.m. ET. The draft will broadcast live on NHL Network and on ESPN+. For all your 2024 NHL Draft NTDP coverage, click here to visit our live tracker.
Photos by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
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