State well represented at NHL Draft

Just one player with Michigan college ties was drafted in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft Friday night in Ottawa, Ontario, but the floodgates opened Saturday.

Speedy forward Daultan Leveille from the Golden Horseshoe Junior Hockey League's St. Catharines Falcons, a future Michigan State Spartan, was taken 29th overall by the Atlanta Thrashers for the state's only connection in the opening round.

Four of Michigan's five 2008-09 recruits were drafted Saturday, as well as 2009-10 recruits from Western Michigan and MSU. Two current college skaters, Ferris State's Zach Redmond and Northern Michigan's Mark Olver, were late-round picks as well.

FIRST ROUND

Atlanta Thrashers - 29th overall

Daultan Leveille, F, St. Catharines Falcons (GHJHL)

incoming Michigan State recruit

SECOND ROUND

New Jersey Devils - 52nd overall

Brandon Burlon, D, St. Michael's Buzzers (OPJHL)

incoming Michigan recruit

THIRD ROUND

Los Angeles Kings - 63rd overall

Robbie Czarnik, F, U.S. NTDP

incoming Michigan recruit

FOURTH ROUND

Ottawa Senators - 119th overall

Derek Grant, F, Langley Chiefs (BCHL)

2009 Michigan State recruit

FIFTH ROUND

Toronto Maple Leafs - 128th overall

Greg Pateryn, D, Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets (USHL)

incoming Michigan recruit

Colorado Avalanche - 140th overall

Mark Olver, F, Northern Michigan (CCHA)

will be sophomore in fall

SIXTH ROUND

Tampa Bay Lightning - 160th overall

Luke Witkowski, D, Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets (USHL)

2009 Western Michigan recruit

New Jersey Devils - 172nd overall

David Wohlberg, F, U.S. NTDP

incoming Michigan recruit

SEVENTH ROUND

Atlanta Thrashers - 184th overall

Zach Redmond, D, Ferris State (CCHA)

will be sophomore in fall