Top ten draft picks to never play a single game

[cheswick]

Ryan Sittler was drafted 7th overall and never played a single NHL game. Are there any other top ten selections that never played a single NHL game?

Click to read more...

 

[Hawksfan2828]

I think Sittler was drafted on his name alone...

This thread will be interesting tho and full of names.

 

[McNurse]

Was scott glennie a top 10 pick? If so I nominate him

 

[cheswick]

Was scott glennie a top 10 pick? If so I nominate him

So close but not quite. He was 8th overall but did play a single game in the 2010-2011 season.

 

[Hawksfan2828]

A better question would be which drafts produced many star players but had duds in the top 10...

 

[nyr2k2]

I went back to '79 and couldn't find anyone other than Sittler. Lots of guys that played 10 games or less, particularly goalies.

 

[Hawksfan2828]

I went back to '79 and couldn't find anyone other than Sittler. Lots of guys that played 10 games or less, particularly goalies.

You sure about that?

 

[billcook]

Draft Year | # | Team | Player

1992|7|Philadelphia Flyers|Ryan Sittler
1975|9|Montreal Canadiens|Robin Sadler
1972|10|New York Rangers|Al Blanchard
1970|5|Montreal Canadiens|Ray Martyniuk
1969|9|Toronto Maple Leafs|Ernie Moser
1969|6|Philadelphia Flyers|Bob Currier
1968|7|Los Angeles Kings|Jim McInally
1968|5|Minnesota North Stars|Jim Benzelock
1968|3|Montreal Canadiens|Jim Pritchard
1968|2|Montreal Canadiens|Roger Belisle
1967|10|Boston Bruins|Meehan Bonnar
1967|9|Detroit Red Wings|Ron Barkwell
1967|8|Montreal Canadiens|Elgin McCann
1967|7|Chicago Blackhawks|Bob Tombari
1967|6|New York Rangers|Robert Dickson
1967|4|Minnesota North Stars|Wayne Cheesman
1967|3|Oakland Seals|Ken Hicks
1967|2|Pittsburgh Penguins|Steve Rexe
1967|1|Los Angeles Kings|Rick Pagnutti
1965|4|Boston Bruins|Joe Bailey
1965|3|Detroit Red Wings|George Forgie
1965|2|Chicago Blackhawks|Andrew Culligan
1965|1|New York Rangers|Andre Veilleux
1964|6|Montreal Canadiens|Claude Chagnon
1964|4|Chicago Blackhawks|Richard Bayes
1964|3|New York Rangers|Robert Graham
1964|2|Boston Bruins|Alec Campbell
1964|1|Detroit Red Wings|Claude Gauthier
1963|5|Chicago Blackhawks|Art Hampson
1963|4|New York Rangers|Al Osborne
1963|3|Boston Bruins|Orest Romashyma

http://hkref.com/tiny/WIJcJ



Montreal Canadiens - 6
New York Rangers - 5
Boston Bruins - 4
Chicago Blackhawks - 4
Detroit Red Wings - 3
Philadelphia Flyers - 2
Los Angeles Kings - 2
Minnesota North Stars - 2
Toronto Maple Leafs - 1
Oakland Seals - 1
Pittsburgh Penguins - 1

 

[Brodeur]

I went back to '79 and couldn't find anyone other than Sittler. Lots of guys that played 10 games or less, particularly goalies.

Brent Krahn almost fit the description, but he played a period for the Stars in 2008-09. Kyle Beach is close but he went 11th overall in his draft year. He wasn't a top 10 pick, but Dale Tallon gave Hugh Jessiman a call up one season primarily to get the goose egg off Jessiman's games played column. Jessiman actually had a decent game against the Devils too and almost scored a goal.

 

[Engebretson]

He wasn't top 10, but I think it still goes along with the nature of the thread:

AJ Thelen - drafted 12th overall in 2004 by the Minnesota Wild (Bob McKenzie had him ranked 8th overall that year)

He had a couple cups of coffee in the AHL and never even sniffed the NHL.

 

[Uncle Rotter]

Draft Year | # | Team | Player

1992|7|Philadelphia Flyers|Ryan Sittler
1975|9|Montreal Canadiens|Robin Sadler
1972|10|New York Rangers|Al Blanchard
1970|5|Montreal Canadiens|Ray Martyniuk
1969|9|Toronto Maple Leafs|Ernie Moser
1969|6|Philadelphia Flyers|Bob Currier
1968|7|Los Angeles Kings|Jim McInally
1968|5|Minnesota North Stars|Jim Benzelock
1968|3|Montreal Canadiens|Jim Pritchard
1968|2|Montreal Canadiens|Roger Belisle
1967|10|Boston Bruins|Meehan Bonnar
1967|9|Detroit Red Wings|Ron Barkwell
1967|8|Montreal Canadiens|Elgin McCann
1967|7|Chicago Blackhawks|Bob Tombari
1967|6|New York Rangers|Robert Dickson
1967|4|Minnesota North Stars|Wayne Cheesman
1967|3|Oakland Seals|Ken Hicks
1967|2|Pittsburgh Penguins|Steve Rexe
1967|1|Los Angeles Kings|Rick Pagnutti
1965|4|Boston Bruins|Joe Bailey
1965|3|Detroit Red Wings|George Forgie
1965|2|Chicago Blackhawks|Andrew Culligan
1965|1|New York Rangers|Andre Veilleux
1964|6|Montreal Canadiens|Claude Chagnon
1964|4|Chicago Blackhawks|Richard Bayes
1964|3|New York Rangers|Robert Graham
1964|2|Boston Bruins|Alec Campbell
1964|1|Detroit Red Wings|Claude Gauthier
1963|5|Chicago Blackhawks|Art Hampson
1963|4|New York Rangers|Al Osborne
1963|3|Boston Bruins|Orest Romashyma

http://hkref.com/tiny/WIJcJ

Some great names there-Orest Romashyma, Georgie Forgie, Wayne Cheesman, Elgin McCann, Meehan Bonnar

 

[Andy6]

Jim Benzelock was in the WHA. Robin Sadler decided to go to med school, I think.

 

[crobro]

Libor poalsek

Jiri dudacek

Scott scissons?

 

[The Panther]

The Oilers drafted 17th in 1990 (Scott Allison, from Prince Albert in the WHL), so it doesn't count for this thread. What's notable, however, is that not a single player they picked that year played even 1 game in the NHL. They drafted 11 prospects, and not one played a single game.

 

[Randy Marsh]

I've heard rumblings that Darryl Sittler had a falling-out with the Flyers and held a grudge for years. Rumor has it that they drafted his son as a peace offering. The Flyers whiffed on him and Jason Bowen in that draft (To be fair, it was a weak draft).

 

[Danny46]

Eric Lindros is probably nº1.

 

[Killion]

Ryan Sittler was drafted 7th overall and never played a single NHL game....

This is a particularly interesting mention to lead the thread... Ryan Sittler had size & weight along with Pedigree... then BUST. Unlike his father however, went seriously Rogue for a couple of years in the AHL absolutely Wracking Up the PIM's. Like the Tiger Williams of his teams. Never a prolific points getter but seemingly someone who's buttons could easily be pushed. Pattern or what? Bloodline a Curse or a Blessing?... I say its a Curse having played with the Sons of some legends.

 

[crobro]

I've heard rumblings that Darryl Sittler had a falling-out with the Flyers and held a grudge for years. Rumor has it that they drafted his son as a peace offering. The Flyers whiffed on him and Jason Bowen in that draft (To be fair, it was a weak draft).

He was told that the flyers were naming him captain when he showed up at the dinner announcing his captainship Keenan pulled him aside and told him he just traded him to Detroit

 

[Killion]

He was told that the flyers were naming him captain when he showed up at the dinner announcing his captainship Keenan pulled him aside and told him he just traded him to Detroit

Indeed. Complicated story but he was promised the 'C' & then... he felt... betrayed..... Regardless. As a Leaf fan for many a year before his arrival, never was impressed with Mister Sittler..... Disgusted to learn of his edicts in dealing with Carl Brewer... Not impressed when I met the guy post playing career.

 

[Hobnobs]

Indeed. Complicated story but he was promised the 'C' & then... he felt... betrayed..... Regardless. As a Leaf fan for many a year before his arrival, never was impressed with Mister Sittler..... Disgusted to learn of his edicts in dealing with Carl Brewer... Not impressed when I met the guy post playing career.

Was it Sittler that started the whole "Brewer is a spy"-thing?

 

[FissionFire]

That 1967 draft was a real winner. 9 of the top 10 picks never played a single NHL game.

 

[Killion]

Was it Sittler that started the whole "Brewer is a spy"-thing?

Not sure Hobnobs.... But what they pulled..... disgusting... btw... wheres yer Gramps?... Miss the old guy..... though post after post, nice to see you keeping up the Corporation.... highly amusing Young One.... Ha?... Flag still flying proudly.... Nice ta see.

 

[Hobnobs]

Not sure Hobnobs.... But what they pulled..... disgusting... btw... wheres yer Gramps?... Miss the old guy..... though post after post, nice to see you keeping up the Corporation.... highly amusing Young One.... Ha?... Flag still flying proudly.... Nice ta see.

He passed away last spring.

 

[Poignant Discussion*]

Eric Lindros is probably nº1.

Off Topic - This is the grown up board, I'd suggest rather than making stupid comments like this which bother us old folk. That you read and study some of the threads before making stupid comments.

If you wish to make sarcastic smartass comments, I'd suggest the main board which is full of that crap.

On Topic - I'm a little surprised at Sittler being the last, could have swore there had been several since. The things you learn in the History of Hockey!

 

[Poignant Discussion*]

He passed away last spring.

My condolences