Round 7 – 205th Overall
Original Pick: C Mario Bliznak
New Pick: RW Patric Hornqvist (230th to NSH)
Honorable Mentions: D Anton Stralman (216th to TOR)
Mario Bliznak played 261 games in the Vancouver Canucks organization, including six in the NHL. However, he failed to make the big league full-time, and left for his native Czech Republic in 2011. He is still active there, and will play the 2016-17 campaign with Bili Tygri Liberec.
Meanwhile, Patric Hornqvist won the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Who knows, maybe he could have achieved the same thing with the Canucks in 2010 or 2011. Maybe before, maybe after. Fact is, Vancouver didn’t win it, Bliznak didn’t either, but Hornqvist is. Lucky him.
Next: How Mike Gillis Destroyed the Future
Hornqvist was drafted by the Nashville Predators with the final pick of the 2005 Draft, and was traded to Pittsburgh in 2014. He has 167 goals and 342 points in 562 games so far — not bad for a 230th-overall selection. Hornqvist achieved what every hockey player dreams of, but it does not look like he will slow down anytime soon.
Anze Kopitar, Kris Letang and Patric Hornqvist… Man, this team could have been good.