The Arizona Coyotes selected the top Canadian in the 2018 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Barrett Hayton, a centre from Peterborough, Ontario, who played last season for the Sault. Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League, was selected fifth overall.
Hayton had 21 goals and 39 assists for 60 points in 63 games. The Greyhounds advanced all the way to the Ontario Hockey League Finals before losing to the Hamilton Bulldogs.
Hayton was one of 10 Canadians selected in the first round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. He was joined by London Knights defenseman Evan Bouchard of Oakville, Ontario, who was selected 10th by the Edmonton Oilers, Acadie-Bathurst Titan defenseman Noah Dobson of Summerside, Prince Edward Island, who was selected 12th by the New York Islanders, Flint Firebirds center Ty Dellandrea of Port Perry, Ontario, who was selected 13th overall by the Dallas Stars, Spokane Chiefs defenseman Ty Smith of Lloydminster, Alberta, who was selected 17th overall by the New Jersey Devils, Knights center Liam Foudy of Scarborough, Ontario, who was selected 18th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets, Guelph Storm defenseman Ryan Merkley of Mississauga, Ontario, who was selected 21st overall by the San Jose Sharks, Okotoks Oilers defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker of Canmore, Alberta, who was selected 26th overall by the Ottawa Senators, Drummondville Voltigeurs defenseman Nicolas Beaudoin of Chateauguay, Quebec, who was selected 27th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks, and Voltigeurs centre Joseph Veleno of Kirkland, Quebec, who was selected 30th overall by the Detroit Red Wings.
In terms of players selected by Canadian teams, the Montreal Canadiens drafted Jesperi Kotkaniemi third overall, the Senators drafted left winger Brady Tkachuk fourth overall, the Vancouver Canucks drafted Quintin Hughes seventh overall and the Toronto Maple Leafs drafted defenseman Rasmus Sandin 29th overall.