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The 1979 NHL entry draft was the 17th NHL entry draft. It took place on August 9, 1979, at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec. The National Hockey League (NHL) teams selected 126 players eligible for entry into professional ranks, in the reverse order of the 1978–79 NHL season and playoff standings. The draft was the first to be conducted after the NHL-WHA merger, which had included its own 1979 NHL expansion draft, held on June 13, 1979. As part of the terms of the merger, the four former WHA teams had joined the NHL on the condition that they be placed at the bottom of the entry draft order, as opposed to the top of the order as is usually the case for expansion teams.

Quick Facts General information, Date(s) ...
1979 NHL entry draft
General information
Date(s)August 9, 1979
LocationQueen Elizabeth Hotel
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Overview
126 total selections in 6 rounds
First selectionCanada Rob Ramage
(Colorado Rockies)
Hall of Famers
 1978
1980 
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In addition, the minimum draft age was lowered from 20 to 19 with the addition of any underage players who had already played in the WHA.[1][2] The NHL had been considering lowering the draft age for some time, and timed the decision to lower the draft age at least in part to coincide with the merger. The lowering of the draft age caused two years' worth of draft picks to go in the same draft, contributing to what is generally considered one of the best draft classes in NHL entry draft history, which included seven future Hall of Famers: Ray Bourque, Mike Gartner, Michel Goulet and Kevin Lowe were selected in the first round alone, while Mark Messier, Glenn Anderson, and Guy Carbonneau would be drafted in later rounds. 12 of the 21 players selected in the first round would play in at least one All-Star game, 19 of the 21 would play at least 450 career NHL games, and all 21 had NHL careers of at least 235 games. Under the old rules, Wayne Gretzky and Messier would not have been eligible to enter the NHL until the 1981 draft.

On the other hand, the NHL shortened the draft to only six rounds, whereas some previous drafts ran for more than twenty rounds.[1] As a result, in spite of the larger number of teams participating the 1979 draft had 108 fewer selections than the previous draft and was the shortest draft since 1971. It is the last entry draft to have fewer than 200 selections. Due to the strength of the class and fewer selections, there are many undrafted players who were eligible to be drafted who went on to have notable NHL careers, including Hall of Famer Dino Ciccarelli, five-time Stanley Cup champion Charlie Huddy and four-time 50-goal scorer Tim Kerr. Gretzky, protected by the Oilers in the 1979 NHL expansion draft, also entered the Hall of Fame.

As consolation for lowering the minimum age for the draft, the NHL provided junior teams with CA$40,000 (equivalent to $157,000 in 2023) in compensation for each under-age player selected and signed.[1] Under-aged players were also offered back to junior clubs before being able to play in the minor leagues.[1]

The last active player in the NHL from this draft class was Mark Messier, who played his last NHL game in the 2003–04 season.

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Absence of Wayne Gretzky

Rising superstar Wayne Gretzky had played for the Edmonton Oilers in the WHA's final season. As per the terms of the NHL-WHA merger, Gretzky was to have become eligible for the 1979 draft due to having already played professionally in the WHA. However, Gretzky had a personal services contract with Oilers owner Peter Pocklington.

The NHL had originally expected the contract would be voided. But Gretzky, faced with the likelihood of having to play for the struggling Colorado Rockies if he were to enter the draft, refused to void his contract with Pocklington. It was determined that the Oilers were allowed to keep Gretzky in exchange for being placed at the bottom of the draft order in the entry draft.

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Selections by round

Below are listed the selections in the 1979 NHL entry draft. Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise noted.

 = NHL All-Star team ·  = NHL All-Star[a] ·  = NHL All-Star[a] and NHL All-Star team ·  = Hall of Famers

Round one

More information #, Player ...
# Player Nationality NHL team College/junior/club team
1 Rob Ramage (D) CanadaColorado RockiesBirmingham Bulls (WHA)
2 Perry Turnbull (LW) CanadaSt. Louis BluesPortland Winter Hawks (WHL)
3 Mike Foligno (RW) CanadaDetroit Red WingsSudbury Wolves (OHL)
4 Mike Gartner (RW) CanadaWashington CapitalsCincinnati Stingers (WHA)
5 Rick Vaive (RW) CanadaVancouver CanucksBirmingham Bulls (WHA)
6 Craig Hartsburg (D) CanadaMinnesota North StarsBirmingham Bulls (WHA)
7 Keith Brown (D) CanadaChicago Black HawksPortland Winter Hawks (WHL)
8 Ray Bourque (D) CanadaBoston Bruins (from Los Angeles)Verdun Eperviers (QMJHL)
9 Laurie Boschman (C) CanadaToronto Maple LeafsBrandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
10 Tom McCarthy (LW) CanadaMinnesota North Stars (from Pittsburgh via Washington)Oshawa Generals (OHL)
11 Mike Ramsey (D) United StatesBuffalo SabresUniversity of Minnesota (WCHA)
12 Paul Reinhart (D) CanadaAtlanta FlamesKitchener Rangers (OHL)
13 Doug Sulliman (LW) CanadaNew York RangersKitchener Rangers (OHL)
14 Brian Propp (LW) CanadaPhiladelphia FlyersBrandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
15 Brad McCrimmon (D) CanadaBoston BruinsBrandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
16 Jay Wells (D) CanadaLos Angeles Kings (from Montreal)Kingston Canadians (OHL)
17 Duane Sutter (RW) CanadaNew York IslandersLethbridge Broncos (WHL)
18 Ray Allison (RW) CanadaHartford WhalersBrandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
19 Jimmy Mann (RW) CanadaWinnipeg JetsSherbrooke Castors (QMJHL)
20 Michel Goulet (LW) CanadaQuebec NordiquesBirmingham Bulls (WHA)
21 Kevin Lowe (D) CanadaEdmonton OilersQuebec Remparts (QMJHL)
Reference: "1979 NHL Entry Draft hockeydraftcentral.com". Archived from the original on January 22, 2009. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
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Notes
  1. The Los Angeles Kings' first round pick went to the Boston Bruins as the result of a trade on October 9, 1978 that sent Ron Grahame to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for this pick.
  2. The Pittsburgh Penguins' first round pick went to the Minnesota North Stars as the result of a trade on October 18, 1978, that sent Dennis Maruk to Washington in exchange for this pick.
    Washington previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on October 17, 1977 that sent Hartland Monahan to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for this pick.
  3. The Montreal Canadiens' first round pick went to the Los Angeles Kings as the result of a trade on October 5, 1978, that sent the first round pick in 1981 to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Murray Wilson and this pick.

Round two

More information #, Player ...
# Player Nationality NHL team College/junior/club team
22 Blake Wesley (D) CanadaPhiladelphia Flyers (from Colorado)Portland Winter Hawks (WHL)
23 Mike Perovich (D) CanadaAtlanta Flames (from St. Louis)Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
24 Errol Rausse (LW) CanadaWashington Capitals (from Detroit)Seattle Breakers (WHL)
25 Tomas Jonsson (D) SwedenNew York Islanders (from Washington)Modo Hockey (Sweden)
26 Brent Ashton (LW) CanadaVancouver CanucksSaskatoon Blades (WHL)
27 Gaston Gingras (D) CanadaMontreal Canadiens (from Minnesota)Birmingham Bulls (WHA)
28 Tim Trimper (LW) CanadaChicago BlackhawksPeterborough Petes (OMJHL)
29 Dean Hopkins (RW) CanadaLos Angeles KingsLondon Knights (OMJHL)
30 Mark Hardy (D) CanadaLos Angeles Kings (from Toronto)Montreal Juniors (QMJHL)
31 Paul Marshall (LW) CanadaPittsburgh PenguinsBrantford Alexanders (OMJHL)
32 Lindy Ruff (D) CanadaBuffalo SabresLethbridge Broncos (WHL)
33 Pat Riggin (G) CanadaAtlanta FlamesBirmingham Bulls (WHA)
34 Ed Hospodar (D) United States/
 Canada
New York RangersOttawa 67's (OMJHL)
35 Pelle Lindbergh (G) SwedenPhiladelphia FlyersAIK IF (Sweden)
36 Doug Morrison (RW) CanadaBoston BruinsLethbridge Broncos (WHL)
37 Mats Naslund (LW) SwedenMontreal CanadiensBrynas IF (Sweden)
38 Billy Carroll (C) CanadaNew York IslandersLondon Knights (OMJHL)
39 Stuart Smith (D) CanadaHartford WhalersPeterborough Petes (OMJHL)
40 Dave Christian (C) United StatesWinnipeg JetsUniversity of North Dakota (WCHA)
41 Dale Hunter (C) CanadaQuebec NordiquesSudbury Wolves (OMJHL)
42 Neal Broten (C) United StatesMinnesota North Stars (from Edmonton)University of Minnesota (WCHA)
Reference: "1979 NHL Entry Draft hockeydraftcentral.com". Archived from the original on February 20, 2009. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
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Notes
  1. The Colorado Rockies' second round pick went to the Philadelphia Flyers as the result of a trade on June 15, 1978, that sent the second round pick in 1978 to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for this pick.
  2. The St. Louis Blues' second round pick went to the Atlanta Flames as the result of a trade on December 12, 1977, that sent Curt Bennett, Phil Myre, and Barry Gibbs to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Yves Belanger, Dick Redmond, Bob MacMillan and this pick.
  3. The Detroit Red Wings' second round pick went to the Washington Capitals as the result of a trade on August 17, 1977, that sent the rights to Ron Low, the 46th overall pick to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for Walt McKechnie, the third round pick in 1978 and this pick.
  4. The Washington Capitals' second round pick went to the New York Islanders as the result of a trade on October 19, 1978, that sent Michel Bergeron to the Washington Capitals in exchange for this pick.
  5. The Minnesota North Stars' second round pick went to the Montreal Canadiens as the result of a trade on August 9, 1979 that sent Bill Nyrop to the Minnesota North Stars in exchange for the second round pick in 1980 (changed to the second round pick in 1982 on June 11, 1980) and this pick.
  6. The Toronto Maple Leafs' second round pick went to the Los Angeles Kings as the result of a trade on June 14, 1978, that sent Dave Hutchison and Lorne Stamler to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Brian Glennie, Kurt Walker, Scott Garland and this pick.
  7. The Edmonton Oilers' second round pick went to the Minnesota North Stars as the result of a trade on August 9, 1979, that sent Dave Semenko and the 48th overall pick to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for the 63rd overall pick and this pick.

Round three

More information #, Player ...
# Player Nationality NHL team College/junior/club team
43 Craig Levie (D) CanadaMontreal Canadiens (from Colorado)Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
44 Guy Carbonneau (C) CanadaMontreal Canadiens (from St. Louis)Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)
45 Jody Gage (RW) CanadaDetroit Red WingsKitchener Rangers (OMJHL)
46 Boris Fistric (D) CanadaDetroit Red Wings (from Washington)New Westminster Bruins (WHL)
47 Ken Ellacott (G) CanadaVancouver CanucksPeterborough Petes (OMJHL)
48 Mark Messier (LW) CanadaEdmonton Oilers (from Minnesota)Cincinnati Stingers (WHA)
49 Bill Gardner (C) CanadaChicago BlackhawksPeterborough Petes (OMJHL)
50 John-Paul Kelly (LW) CanadaLos Angeles KingsNew Westminster Bruins (WHL)
51 Normand Aubin (C) CanadaToronto Maple LeafsVerdun Eperviers (QMJHL)
52 Bennett Wolf (D) CanadaPittsburgh PenguinsKitchener Rangers (OMJHL)
53 Mark Robinson (D) CanadaBuffalo SabresVictoria Cougars (WHL)
54 Tim Hunter (D) CanadaAtlanta FlamesSeattle Breakers (WHL)
55 Jacques Cloutier (G) CanadaBuffalo Sabres (from New York Rangers)Trois-Rivieres Draveurs (QMJHL)
56 Lindsay Carson (LW) CanadaPhiladelphia FlyersBillings Bighorns (WHL)
57 Keith Crowder (RW) CanadaBoston BruinsPeterborough Petes (OMJHL)
58 Rick Wamsley (G) CanadaMontreal CanadiensBrantford Alexanders (OMJHL)
59 Roland Melanson (G) CanadaNew York IslandersWindsor Spitfires (OMJHL)
60 Don Nachbaur (C) CanadaHartford WhalersBillings Bighorns (WHL)
61 Bill Whelton (D) United StatesWinnipeg JetsBoston University (ECAC)
62 Lee Norwood (D) United StatesQuebec NordiquesOshawa Generals (OMJHL)
63 Kevin Maxwell (C) CanadaMinnesota North Stars (from Edmonton)University of North Dakota (WCHA)
Reference: "1979 NHL Entry Draft hockeydraftcentral.com". Archived from the original on February 20, 2009. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
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Notes
  1. The Colorado Rockies' third round pick went to the Montreal Canadiens as the result of a trade on November 24, 1976, that sent John Van Boxmeer to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for this pick.
  2. The St. Louis Blues' third round pick went to the Montreal Canadiens as the result of a trade on August 18, 1977, that sent Jim Roberts to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for this pick.
  3. The Washington Capitals' third round pick went to the Detroit Red Wings as the result of a trade on August 17, 1977, that sent Walt McKechnie, the third round pick in 1978 and the 24th overall pick to the Washington Capitals in exchange for the rights to Ron Low and this pick.
  4. The Minnesota North Stars' third round pick went to the Edmonton Oilers as the result of a trade on August 9, 1979, that sent the 42nd overall pick and the 63rd overall pick to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Dave Semenko and this pick.
  5. The New York Rangers' third round pick went to the Buffalo Sabres as the result of a trade on March 12, 1979, that sent Jocelyn Guevremont to the New York Rangers in exchange for the third round pick in 1980 and this pick.
  6. The Edmonton Oilers' third round pick went to the Minnesota North Stars as the result of a trade on August 9, 1979, that sent Dave Semenko and the 48th overall pick to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for the 42nd overall pick and this pick.

Round four

More information #, Player ...
# Player Nationality NHL team College/junior/club team
64 Steve Peters (C) CanadaColorado RockiesOshawa Generals (OMJHL)
65 Bob Crawford (RW) CanadaSt. Louis BluesCornwall Royals (QMJHL)
66 John Ogrodnick (RW) CanadaDetroit Red WingsNew Westminster Bruins (WHL)
67 Harvie Pocza (LW) CanadaWashington CapitalsBillings Bighorns (WHL)
68 Arthur Rutland (C) CanadaVancouver CanucksSault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OMJHL)
69 Glenn Anderson (RW) CanadaEdmonton Oilers (from Minnesota)University of Denver (WCHA)
70 Louis Begin (LW) CanadaChicago BlackhawksSherbrooke Castors (QMJHL)
71 John Gibson (D) CanadaLos Angeles KingsNiagara Falls Flyers (OMJHL)
72 Vincent Tremblay (G) CanadaToronto Maple LeafsQuebec Remparts (QMJHL)
73 Brian Cross (D) CanadaPittsburgh PenguinsBrantford Alexanders (OMJHL)
74 Gilles Hamel (LW) CanadaBuffalo SabresLaval National (QMJHL)
75 Jim Peplinski (RW) CanadaAtlanta FlamesToronto Marlboros (OMJHL)
76 Pat Conacher (C) CanadaNew York RangersSaskatoon Blades (WHL)
77 Don Gillen (RW) CanadaPhiladelphia FlyersBrandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
78 Larry Melnyk (D) CanadaBoston BruinsNew Westminster Bruins (WHL)
79 Dave Orleski (LW) CanadaMontreal CanadiensNew Westminster Bruins (WHL)
80 Tim Lockridge (D) CanadaNew York IslandersBrandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
81 Ray Neufeld (RW) CanadaHartford WhalersEdmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
82 Pat Daley (LW) CanadaWinnipeg JetsMontreal Juniors (QMJHL)
83 Anton Stastny (LW) CzechoslovakiaQuebec NordiquesSlovan Bratislava (Czechoslovakia)
84 Maxwell Kostovich (LW) CanadaEdmonton OilersPortland Winter Hawks (WHL)
Reference: "1979 NHL Entry Draft hockeydraftcentral.com". Archived from the original on February 20, 2009. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
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Notes
  1. The Minnesota North Stars' fourth round pick went to the Edmonton Oilers as the result of a trade on June 9, 1979, that the Edmonton Oilers promised to not make Paul Shmyr one of its priority selections in the 1979 NHL Expansion Draft in exchange for this pick.

Round five

More information #, Player ...
# Player Nationality NHL team College/junior/club team
85 Gary Dillon (C) CanadaColorado RockiesToronto Marlboros (OMJHL)
86 Mark Reeds (RW) CanadaSt. Louis BluesPeterborough Petes (OMJHL)
87 Joe Paterson (LW) CanadaDetroit Red WingsLondon Knights (OMJHL)
88 Tim Tookey (C) CanadaWashington CapitalsPortland Winter Hawks (WHL)
89 Dirk Graham (RW) CanadaVancouver CanucksRegina Pats (WHL)
90 Jim Dobson (RW) CanadaMinnesota North StarsPortland Winter Hawks (WHL)
91 Lowell Loveday (D) CanadaChicago BlackhawksKingston Canadians (OMJHL)
92 Jim Brown (D) United StatesLos Angeles KingsUniversity of Notre Dame (WCHA)
93 Frank Nigro (C) CanadaToronto Maple LeafsLondon Knights (OMJHL)
94 Nick Ricci (G) CanadaPittsburgh PenguinsNiagara Falls Flyers (OMJHL)
95 Alan Haworth (C) CanadaBuffalo SabresSherbrooke Castors (QMJHL)
96 Brad Kempthorne (C) CanadaAtlanta FlamesBrandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
97 Dan Makuch (RW) CanadaNew York RangersClarkson University (ECAC)
98 Thomas Eriksson (D) SwedenPhiladelphia FlyersDjurgardens IF (Sweden)
99 Marco Baron (G) CanadaBoston BruinsMontreal Juniors (QMJHL)
100 Yvan Joly (RW) CanadaMontreal CanadiensOttawa 67's (OMJHL)
101 Glen Duncan (LW) CanadaNew York IslandersToronto Marlboros (OMJHL)
102 Mark Renaud (D) CanadaHartford WhalersNiagara Falls Flyers (OMJHL)
103 Thomas Steen (C) SwedenWinnipeg JetsLeksands IF (Sweden)
104 Pierre Lacroix (D) CanadaQuebec NordiquesTrois-Rivieres Draveurs (QMJHL)
105 Mike Toal (C) CanadaEdmonton OilersPortland Winter Hawks (WHL)
Reference: "1979 NHL Entry Draft hockeydraftcentral.com". Archived from the original on February 20, 2009. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
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Round six

More information #, Player ...
# Player Nationality NHL team College/junior/club team
106 Bob Attwell (RW) CanadaColorado RockiesPeterborough Petes (OMJHL)
107 Gilles Leduc (LW) CanadaSt. Louis BluesVerdun Eperviers (QMJHL)
108 Carmine Cirella (LW) CanadaDetroit Red WingsPeterborough Petes (OMJHL)
109 Greg Theberge (D) CanadaWashington CapitalsPeterborough Petes (OMJHL)
110 Shane Swan (D) CanadaVancouver CanucksSudbury Wolves (OMJHL)
111 Brian Gualazzi (RW) CanadaMinnesota North StarsSault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OMJHL)
112 Doug Crossman (D) CanadaChicago BlackhawksOttawa 67's (OMJHL)
113 Jay McFarlane (D) CanadaLos Angeles KingsUniversity of Wisconsin (WCHA)
114 Bill McCreary (RW) United StatesToronto Maple LeafsColgate University (ECAC)
115 Marc Chorney (D) CanadaPittsburgh PenguinsUniversity of North Dakota (WCHA)
116 Rick Knickle (G) CanadaBuffalo SabresBrandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
117 Glenn Johnson (C) CanadaAtlanta FlamesUniversity of Denver (WCHA)
118 Stan Adams (C) CanadaNew York RangersNiagara Falls Flyers (OMJHL)
119 Gord Williams (RW) CanadaPhiladelphia FlyersLethbridge Broncos (WHL)
120 Mike Krushelnyski (C) CanadaBoston BruinsMontreal Juniors (QMJHL)
121 Greg Moffett (G) United StatesMontreal CanadiensUniversity of New Hampshire (ECAC)
122 John Gibb (D) CanadaNew York IslandersBowling Green University (CCHA)
123 Dave McDonald (LW) CanadaHartford WhalersBrandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
124 Tim Watters (D) CanadaWinnipeg JetsMichigan Technological University (WCHA)
125 Scott McGeown (D) CanadaQuebec NordiquesToronto Marlboros (OMJHL)
126 Blair Barnes (RW) CanadaEdmonton OilersWindsor Spitfires (OMJHL)
Reference: "1979 NHL Entry Draft hockeydraftcentral.com". Archived from the original on February 20, 2009. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
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 = NHL All-Star[a] ·  = NHL All-Star[a] and NHL All-Star team ·  = Hall of Famers
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Draftees based on nationality

More information Rank, Country ...
Rank Country Amount
North America120
1 Canada111
2 United States9
Europe6
3 Sweden5
4 Czechoslovakia1
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See also

Notes

  1. Players are identified as an All-Star if they were selected for the All-Star game at any time in their career.

References

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