Since 1967, the WHL has been the world’s leader in player development, and is the fastest route to a successful professional career. Every June, many WHL players take the initial step to professional hockey by being selected in the NHL Entry Draft.

For players in Western Canada and the Western U.S., playing in the WHL provides the best opportunity to be selected in the NHL Entry Draft, season after season. At the 2011 NHL Entry Draft in Minneapolis, MN, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins of the Red Deer Rebels, was selected 1^st overall by the Edmonton Oilers. Nugent-Hopkins was one of five WHL players selected in the 1^st round. He was joined by Duncan Siemens of the Saskatoon Blades (11^th overall, COL), Sven Baertschi of the Portland Winterhawks (13^th overall, CGY), Mark McNeill of the Prince Albert Raiders (18^th overall, CHI), and Joseph Morrow of the Portland Winterhawks (23^rd overall, PIT). In the 1^st round, twenty-one of the thirty picks were taken from Canadian Hockey League (CHL) teams (the WHL, OHL, or QMJHL), setting a new NHL record and showing a staggering show of support by NHL Clubs for Major Junior hockey.

Here is a full list of the 33 WHL players selected in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft:

1^st Round
#1.  Edmonton Oilers – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins; Burnaby, B.C.; Red Deer Rebels
#11.  Colorado Avalanche – Duncan Siemens; Sherwood Park, AB; Saskatoon Blades
#13.  Calgary Flames – Sven Bartschi; Langenthal, SUI; Portland Winterhawks
#18.  Chicago Blackhawks – Mark McNeill; Edmonton, AB; Prince Albert Raiders
#23.  Pittsburgh Penguins – Joseph Morrow; Sherwood Park, AB; Portland Winterhawks

2^nd Round
#31.  Edmonton Oilers – David Musil; Calgary, AB; Vancouver Giants
#32.  St. Louis Blues – Ty Rattie; Airdrie, AB; Portland Winterhawks
#46.  St. Louis Blues – Joel Edmundson; Brandon, MB; Moose Jaw Warriors
#57.  Calgary Flames – Tyler Wotherspoon; Surrey, BC; Portland Winterhawks

3^rd Round
#67.  Winnipeg Jets – Adam Lowry; Calgary, AB; Swift Current Broncos
#73.  Carolina Hurricanes – Keegan Lowe; Edmonton, AB; Edmonton Oil Kings
#74.  Edmonton Oilers – Travis Ewanyk; North Vancouver, BC; Edmonton Oil Kings
#84.  Phoenix Coyotes – Harrison Ruopp; Zehner, SK; Prince Albert Raiders

4^th Round
#106.  New York Rangers – Michael St. Croix; Winnipeg, MB; Edmonton Oil Kings
#107.  Buffalo Sabres – Colin Jacobs; Grapevine, TX; Seattle Thunderbirds
#111.  Phoenix Coyotes – Kale Kessy; Shaunavon, SK; Medicine Hat Tigers
#115.  Detroit Red Wings – Marek Tvrdon; Nitra, SVK; Vancouver Giants
#118.  Philadelphia Flyers – Marcel Noebels; Toenisvorst, DEU; Seattle Thunderbirds
#119.  Winnipeg Jets – Zachary Yuen; Vancouver, BC; Tri-City Americans

5^th Round
#125.  New York Islanders – John Persson; Mora SWE; Red Deer Rebels
#127.  New York Islanders – Brenden Kichton; Spruce Grove, AB; Spokane Chiefs
#134.  New York Rangers – Shane McColgan; Manhattan Beach, CA; Kelowna Rockets
#138.  Montreal Canadiens – Darren Dietz; Medicine Hat, AB; Saskatoon Blades
#141.  Phoenix Coyotes – Darren Dzuirzynski; Lloydminster, AB; Saskatoon Blades
#144.  Pittsburgh Penguins - Dominik Uher; Ostvava, CZE; Spokane Chiefs

6^th Round
#156.  Ottawa Senators – Darren Kramer; Peace River, AB; Spokane Chiefs
#159.  New Jersey Devils – Reece Scarlett; Sherwood Park, AB; Swift Current Broncos
#164.  Calgary Flames – Laurent Brossoit; Port Alberni, BC; Edmonton Oil Kings
#165.  Dallas Stars – Matej Stransky; Ostrava, CZE; Saskatoon Blades
#167.  Buffalo Sabres – Nathan Lieuwen; Abbotsford, BC; Kootenay Ice
#175.  Detroit Red Wings – Richard Nedomlel; Prague, CZE; Swift Current Broncos

7^th Round
#186.  Ottawa Senators – Jordan Fransoo; North Battleford, SK; Brandon Wheat Kings
#193.  Carolina Hurricanes – Brody Sutter; Calgary, AB; Lethbridge Hurricanes

Since 2005, 248 WHL players have been selected in the NHL Entry Draft, including 43 in the 1^st round:

2011 NHL Draft: 33 WHL players selected - 5 in the 1^st round
2010 NHL Draft: 43 WHL players selected - 7 in the 1^st round
2009 NHL Draft: 31 WHL players selected - 5 in the 1^st round
2008 NHL Draft: 37 WHL players selected - 9 in the 1^st round
2007 NHL Draft: 37 WHL players selected - 9 in the 1^st round
2006 NHL Draft: 24 WHL players selected - 4 in the 1^st round
2005 NHL Draft: 43 WHL players selected - 4 in the 1^st round 

Notable WHL Alumni selected in the 1^st round of the NHL Entry Draft include:

-        Ryan  Nugent-Hopkins (2011, 1^st overall, EDM)
-        Nino Neiderreiter (2010, 5^th overall, NYI)
-        Evander Kane (2009, 4^th overall, ATL)
-        Luke Schenn (2008, 5^th overall, TOR)
-        Tyler Myers (2008, 12^th overall, BUF)
-        Carey Price (2005, 5^th overall, MTL)
-        Andrew Ladd (2004, 4^th overall, CAR)
-        Mike Green (2004, 29^th overall, WAS)
-        Brent Seabrook (2003, 14^th overall, CHI)
-        Ryan Getzlaf (2003, 19^th overall, ANA)