Three Gophers were selected at the 61st NHL Draft on June 28 and 29, drafting Oliver Moore, Beckett Hendrickson and Luke Mittelstadt, joining 15 present and future Gopher players in NHL development camps this past month.
Moore was drafted 19th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks. The Mounds View native is regarded by scouts as one of the fastest centers in this year’s draft class. He played for the U.S. U18 National Team last season and collected 31 goals and 44 assists in 61 games.
Moore has since been training this off-season, working on getting stronger and faster.
“I’m just trying to get better in all areas of my game to hopefully take that into the Gophers next year,” Moore said. “I’m most looking forward to playing at Mariucci in front of the passionate fans … I was a Minnesota fan growing up, so getting to wear the Gopher logo is really exciting.”
Beckett Hendrickson was drafted 124th overall by the Boston Bruins. The winger from Minnetonka played alongside Moore for the U.S. National U18 Team last season, tallying 13 goals and 21 assists in 52 games.
According to The Hockey Writers, “Hendrickson is noted for being an intelligent, two-way player” and “has shown a knack for reading offenses, leading opponents to turn the puck over.” Hendrickson will be playing with the USHL Sioux Falls Stampede next season and plans on joining the Gophers in 2024.
Lastly, Defenseman Luke Mittelstadt was drafted 197th overall by the Montréal Canadiens. From Eden Prairie, Mittelstadt is entering his sophomore year at the University of Minnesota. In his first season of collegiate play, he totaled 5 goals and 15 assists in 38 games.
“It was a huge honor and I’m excited to be picked by the Canadiens,” Mittelstadt said.
Mittelstadt describes himself as a “two-way defenseman that can play the power play and penalty kill” with the confidence of a player that coaches “can throw out at really any time of the game in any situation.”
“I’ve been relaxing and golfing during my off-season. You know, just trying to stay away from the game a little bit,” Mittelstadt said. “But at the same time, improving my game and getting ready [for the season]. I’m excited to see all the guys again and get back to practicing.”
His older brother, Casey Mittelstadt, went to the University for one season in 2017-18 and is now a forward in the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres. Their middle brother, John Mittelstadt, is also a forward and started at the University the same year as Luke.