It was all about looking towards the future while improving at certain positions for the Dallas Stars in the 2017 NHL Draft. They had a total of seven picks in the draft, including two first-round selections.
Miro Heiskanen – Defenseman (1st round/3rd overall)
The Stars actually had offers on the table for the third pick prior to the start of the draft, but decided to keep it. Stars general manager Jim Nill said Heiskanen was the best defenseman on the board in the draft. The 17-year old represented Finland in both the 2017 U-20 World Junior Championship and the 2017 U-18 World Junior Championship.
Jake Oettinger – Goalie (1st round/26th overall)
The Stars traded the 29th and 70th pick to the Chicago Blackhawks to move up and select Oettinger. The 18-year old just completed his freshman season at Boston University with a 21-11-3 record and four shutouts. He also earned a gold medal representing the United States at the 2017 World Junior Championship. No need to rush Oettinger through the minors after the signing Ben Bishop to a six-year deal during the offseason.
Jason Robertson – Left Wing (2nd round/39th overall)
Robertson was actually projected to be a first-round on some pre-draft lists, so this could work out to be a steal for the Stars. The 17-year old had 81 points (42 goals, 39 assists) in 68 games for Kingston of the Ontario Hockey League. According to some scouts, the knock on Robertson is his skating but the Stars feel he will get better in that area with some added strength. He is trying to become the first Filipino-American to ever play in the NHL.
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Liam Hawel – Center (4th round/101st overall)
NHL Central Scouting ranked Hawel 142nd among North American skaters and International Scouting Services ranked him 173rd among all skaters. He recorded 28 points (nine goals, 19 assists) while playing for both Sault Ste. Marie and Guelph in the Ontario Hockey League.
Jacob Peterson – Center (5th round/132nd overall)
Peterson had 27 points (15 goals, 12 assists) while playing in Sweden’s top junior league last season. The 17-year old is a left-handed shot and the Stars feel he is just scratching the surface with his abilities on the ice.
Brett Davis – Center (6th round/163rd overall)
Another left-handed shot for the Stars at center. Davis played for both Lethbridge and Kootenay in the Western Hockey League. The 18-year old had 33 points (18 goals, 15 assists) in 59 games last season.
Dylan Ferguson – Goalie (7th round/194th overall)
Ferguson was the number two goalie for Kamloops in the Western Hockey League, registering a 2.74 goals-against average and .922 save percentage. NHL Central Scouting had him ranked eighth among North American goalies.
