There was little surprise in the first New Englander who went off the board at the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Northeastern University freshman right wing Sam Colangelo, who spent the 2019-20 season with the Chicago Steel in the USHL, was taken in the second round, 36th overall, on Wednesday by the Anaheim Ducks.
Colangelo played three seasons of prep school hockey at Lawrence Academy before heading to the USHL. The Stoneham, Mass., native had 19 goals and 29 assists for 48 points in 28 games played in his final season at Lawrence in 2018-19.
Colangelo’s stock continued to rise as the 2019-20 season moved along. He finished third in the USHL in goals and points while playing on a loaded team in Chicago. His final total for the season was 28 goals and 30 assists for 58 points in 44 games played.
Colangelo checks boxes for size, shot and offensive hockey sense. At 6-foot-3, Colangelo is a gifted finisher, but his playmaking ability is sometimes underrated. His vision allows him to make some nifty passes that thread the needle.
His skating and compete have sometimes been criticized, but he’s gotten better in both regards. His compete and ability to win battles for loose pucks should continue to improve at Northeastern, as the Huskies’ coaching staff puts a premium on being heavy on pucks.
Steve Lyons is Anaheim’s amateur scout for the New England region and he does a lot of work in the USHL as well. Assistant general manager Dave Nonis has some New England connections, having played college hockey at Maine and his son being a Governor’s Academy hockey alum.
Following Colangelo's selection, 10 New Englanders went in rounds two through seven:
- Drew Commesso, 46th, to the Chicago Blackhawks
- Ian Moore, 67th, to the Anaheim Ducks
- Alex Jefferies, 121st, to the New York Islanders
- Sean Farrell, 124th, to the Montreal Canadiens
- Brett Berard, 134th, to the New York Rangers
- Ben Meehan, 140th, to the Los Angeles Kings
- Nick Capone, 157th, to the Tampa Bay Lightning
- Riley Duran, 182nd, to the Boston Bruins
- John Fusco, 189th, to the Toronto Maple Leafs
- Gunnarwolfe Fontaine, 202nd, to the Nashville Predators
On Tuesday night, round one went according to script. Rimouski Oceanic left wing Alexis Lafreniere was taken first overall by the New York Rangers. With the next two picks, the Los Angeles Kings and Ottawa Senators plucked Sudbury Wolves center Quinton Byfield and Adler Mannheim left wing Tim Stutzle, respectively.
While none of the top three picks were Americans, Stutzle did have somewhat of a New England connection. New Hampshire’s coaching staff found Stutzle prior to him really popping, and landed a commit from the German. However, he turned pro before he could make it to Durham. Regardless, it should be considered a positive that the Wildcats were able to identify and recruit such an elite prospect.
2019 was a banner year for the Americans at the NHL draft, but 2020 wasn’t as favorable. Only two players from the United States were selected in the first round. North Dakota defenseman Jake Sanderson, a NTDP alum, was taken fifth overall by the Ottawa Senators. Michigan center, formerly of Chicago Steel and Shattuck-St. Mary’s, Brendan Brisson was the 29th overall pick of the Vegas Golden Knights.
