The 2017 NHL Draft begins tonight here at the United Center in Chicago at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN.
Among the American players eligible for the draft are former members of USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, which plays in the United States Hockey League; gold medalists at both the IIHF Men's Under-18 World Championship and IIHF World Junior Championship; attendees at the 2016 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game and 24 players who have been invited to the 2017 World Junior Summer Showcase in Plymouth, Mich., at USA Hockey Arena.
Throughout their draft-eligible season, several players have taken time to recognize those who have helped them reach this point in their careers.
Ryan Poehling: "One coach I'm very thankful for is Trent Eigner, my high school coach. If he didn't coach me the way he did, I wouldn't be the hockey player or the man I am today."
Jake Oettinger: "I'm looking forward to sharing the experience with my family, especially my dad. He has gone through so much in his life being a cancer survivor and shown me how I want to live my life and I owe a lot to him and my family for helping me reach this point in my career."
Casey Mittelstadt: "Two coaches I know I'll forever be grateful for are Tom Gerdes and Nick Hanson. They were so great to work with and are big reasons for me having this opportunity to be drafted in the NHL."