A Cougar has climbed into the big leagues at the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
Prince George’s Nikita Popugaev was selected by the New Jersey Devils 98th overall in the fourth round.
BREAKING: @PGCougars‘ Forward Nikita Popugaev picked by @NJDevils in 4th Round, 98th overall of the #NHLDRAFT2017 | #CityOfPG #Sports pic.twitter.com/0vXHh3kien
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) June 24, 2017
The 18-year-old forward was ranked 28th among North American skaters by the NHL’s Central Scouting report, recording 18 points (7G, 11A) in 31 games with the Cougars last season.
He also tallied three points in six WHL playoff games in the Cougars’ first round series loss to the Portland Winterhawks.
General Manager Todd Harkins admires the Devils organization’s decision in picking the tall Russian.
“The New Jersey Devils are getting a terrific talent who has the size, skill, and work-ethic necessary to be an impact offensive player in the National Hockey League for many years to come. We’re very excited for him and we wish him the very best as he prepares for his first NHL Training Camp in the fall.”
Popugaev is the second Cougar ever to be selected by the Devils with Chris Mason being taken in 1995.
The #NJDevils have selected LW Nikita Popugaev in the fourth round (98th overall) of the #NHLDraft!#DevilsDraft pic.twitter.com/zizt8uEWfM
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) June 24, 2017
He was traded to Northern BC from the Moose Jaw Warriors mid-season.
Popugaev joins the franchise that selected Nico Hischier to begin the Draft, becoming the first Swiss-born player to be taken in the top spot.
VANCOUVER CANUCKS:
- Round 1 = Forward Elias Pettersson, 5th overall from Sweden
- Round 2 = Forward Kole Lind, 33rd overall from Kelowna (WHL)
- Round 3 = Forward Jonah Gadjovich, 55th overall from Owen Sound (OHL)
- Round 3 = Goaltender Michael DiPietro, 64th overall from Windsor (OHL)
- Round 4 = Defenceman Jack Rathbone, 95th overall from Boston (High School)
- Round 5 = Defenceman Kristoffer Gunnarsson, 135th overall from Sweden
- Round 6 = Forward Petrus Palmu, 181st overall from Owen Sound (OHL)
- Round 7 = Defenceman Matt Brassard, 188th overall from Oshawa (OHL)
BREAKING: @Canucks select #Sweden Forward Elias Pettersson 5th overall in the #NHLDRAFT2017; 19G in 43 GP in home country | #NHL #Sports pic.twitter.com/MsfSLE4IsK
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) June 23, 2017