Two Minnesota Newcomers Selected in NHL Draft First Round

Men’s Hockey | 7/7/2022 10:30:00 PM

MONTREAL – Two players representing the University of Minnesota men’s hockey program were selected in the first round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft Thursday night. Logan Cooley (No. 3 – Arizona Coyotes) and Jimmy Snuggerud (No. 23 – St. Louis Blues) heard their names called live from Montreal’s Bell Centre.

The Golden Gophers now have 24 first-round selections dating back to 1979, including four in the past four years, and 225 all-time picks, the most by any NCAA men’s hockey program.

The duo spent the 2021-22 season as linemates playing for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program and helped the United States finish with a silver medal at the 2022 IIHF U18 World Championship in Germany in May. The signed prospects are now set to begin their Collegiate Careers for the Maroon & Gold this year.

Cooley is the second-highest draft pick in Minnesota program history and was the first American-born player off the board in 2022. Last season, he was second on the NTDP with 75 points (27 goals, 48 ​​assists) in 51 games and also scored 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in six games at the world championships. The Pittsburgh, Pa., native is known as an elite skater and a two-way, playmaking center, and was No. 2 in Central Scouting’s final ranking of North American skaters.

“It’s definitely pretty crazy; all the mixed emotions I have right now, but I am super fired up to be a Coyote,” Cooley said in his official press conference. “When I was a little kid growing up in Pittsburgh, I never would have thought this would happen, so for it to finally come true is pretty special.”

Congratulations to Logan Cooley on becoming the second-highest #Gopher ever selected in the NHL Draft at No. 3 to the @ArizonaCoyotes!

The #Yotes got a good one! #nhldraft2022 pic.twitter.com/3ylL65vzsr

Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) July 7, 2022

Snuggerud tallied 63 points (24 goals, 39 assists) in 59 games for the NTDP in 2021-22, including seven power play goals. He has been described as someone who plays with determination and competitiveness, which shows every time he steps on the ice, and is considered by scouts to have one of the best shots in the entire draft class. Hailing from Chaska, Minn., he posted seven points during Team USA’s six-game stretch at the U18 World Championships.

“It’s just really surreal in the moment to put (the Blues sweater) on and look into the crowd and know that you got drafted into the NHL; it’s a really cool moment,” Snuggerud told ESPN’s Emily Kaplan. “I am super pumped to be with the Blues.”

Sweet music

Congratulations to @JSnuggerud is being selected No. 23 overall by the @StLouisBlues!#PrideOnIce | #nhldraft2022 pic.twitter.com/XOIyP5q4EY

Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) July 8, 2022

Rounds two through seven are set for Friday beginning at 10 am (CT) and can be watched on NHL Network and ESPN+. For the first time since 2019, the draft is being held in person with fans in the arena. The 2020 and 2021 NHL Drafts each were held virtually due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.

Minnesota Draft Notes

*The two first-round picks in 2022 marks the fifth time where more than one Gopher was selected in the first round joining 2009, 2007, 2006 and 2004.

*At least one Gopher has been drafted in 48 of the last 49 NHL Entry Drafts dating back to 1974 with 2001 being the only exception. Minnesota’s 27-consecutive drafts with a selection between 1974-2000 are an NCAA record.

*Cooley is the earliest chosen player from the Pittsburgh area in draft history (JT Miller, No. 15 in 2011).

*Erik Johnson remains the highest draft pick in Minnesota history, going No. 1 overall in 2006.

*The Arizona Coyotes now have chosen 12 Gophers all-time, the fourth-most of any NHL team, and Cooley is the first to go in the first round since Blake Wheeler at No. 5 in 2004. The Coyotes have picked Minnesota-bound players in back-to-back years in Cooley and fellow incoming freshman Cal Thomas, a 2021 sixth-round selection.

*Snuggerud is the third Minnesota player ever selected in the first round by St. Louis (Erik Johnson-2006, Jeff Taffe-2000) and the 11th taken by the Blues in team history.

*Snuggerud and his father, Dave, an All-American for Minnesota in 1989 after being a draft pick of the Buffalo Sabers in 1987, became the sixth father/son duo in program history that were both drafted. They joined Jack/Mike Ramsey, Rem and Rhett/Lance Pitlick, Tyler/Marty Nanne, Mike/Mike Reilly and Jake/Grant Bischoff. Additionally, Blake McLaughlin is the stepson of Grant Bischoff.

*Per NCAA rules, the Gopher men’s hockey program cannot comment on unsigned prospects.

Click here for more information about Minnesota’s eligible prospects:
2022 Gopher Hockey NHL Entry Draft Guide