June 13, 1987 - Montreal, Quebec
The 1987 NHL Entry Draft was held on Saturday, June 13, 1987 at Joe Louis Sports Arena in Detroit, Michigan. West Division teams drafted in reverse order of their 1968-69 finish in the standings, while East Division teams reverted back to the rotating draft order from 1967 while accounting for 1968 with teams moving up two positions each. The Montreal Canadiens, who had the option to take the first two French-Canadian players in the draft in lieu of their regular picks, chose first and second overall, taking right wing Rejean Houle and left wing Marc Tardif both of Montreal (OHA), respectively.
The Pittsburgh Penguins, who finished with 51 points (20 wins) in 1968-69 - tied with Minnesota (18 wins), would draft second overall out of 12 teams in each round. On May 21, 1968, Pittsburgh traded its first round choice in the 1969 Amateur Draft (Frank Spring, RW, Edmonton) to Boston for Jean Pronovost and John Arbour. The Penguins traded their seventh round choice (Bob Collyard, C, Colorado College) to St. Louis for cash. They also traded their eighth round choice (Frank Hamill, RW, Toronto) to Montreal for cash. This would leave Pittsburgh with five selections in the 10-round draft as they passed on making a selection in the ninth and tenth rounds.
Pittsburgh selected center Rick Kessell from Oshawa (OHA Jr.) in the second round with the 15th overall pick. Kessel played in parts of four season with the Penguins from 1969-70 to 1972-73 and made his NHL debut on March 21, 1970 vs. Chicago and scored his first NHL goal in the game. Kessell played the 1973-74 season with the California Golden Seals and finished his NHL career with 135 games played including 84 with Pittsburgh.
The Pittsburgh Penguins, who finished with 51 points (20 wins) in 1968-69 - tied with Minnesota (18 wins), would draft second overall out of 12 teams in each round. On May 21, 1968, Pittsburgh traded its first round choice in the 1969 Amateur Draft (Frank Spring, RW, Edmonton) to Boston for Jean Pronovost and John Arbour. The Penguins traded their seventh round choice (Bob Collyard, C, Colorado College) to St. Louis for cash. They also traded their eighth round choice (Frank Hamill, RW, Toronto) to Montreal for cash. This would leave Pittsburgh with five selections in the 10-round draft as they passed on making a selection in the ninth and tenth rounds.
Pittsburgh selected center Rick Kessell from Oshawa (OHA Jr.) in the second round with the 15th overall pick. Kessel played in parts of four season with the Penguins from 1969-70 to 1972-73 and made his NHL debut on March 21, 1970 vs. Chicago and scored his first NHL goal in the game. Kessell played the 1973-74 season with the California Golden Seals and finished his NHL career with 135 games played including 84 with Pittsburgh.
Ed Patenaude, a right wing from Calgary (WCHL), was selected by Pittsburgh in the fifth round (50th overall). Patenaude never played for the Penguins, but would later play six seasons and 431 games in the World Hockey Association with the Oilers and Racers.
Goaltender Paul Hoganson from Toronto (OHA Jr.) was selected by Pittsburgh the sixth round (62nd overall). Hoganson appeared in two games with the Penguins during the 1970-71 season making his NHL debut on March 19, 1971 at Vancouver. He made his first and only career start the next night at Los Angeles and gave up four goals on five shots before being pulled. Hoganson would go on to play in 143 games in the World Hockey Association.
Goaltender Paul Hoganson from Toronto (OHA Jr.) was selected by Pittsburgh the sixth round (62nd overall). Hoganson appeared in two games with the Penguins during the 1970-71 season making his NHL debut on March 19, 1971 at Vancouver. He made his first and only career start the next night at Los Angeles and gave up four goals on five shots before being pulled. Hoganson would go on to play in 143 games in the World Hockey Association.
1987 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL Entry Draft Selections
Choice | Round | Pick | Overall | Player | Position | 1986-87 Amateur Club |
1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | Chris Joseph | D | Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) |
2 | 2 | 5 | 26 | Richard Tabaracci | G | Cornwall Royals (OHL) |
3 | 3 | 5 | 47 | Jamie Leach | RW | Hamilton Steelhawks (OHL) |
4 | 4 | 5 | 68 | Risto Kurkinen | LW | JyP HT Jyvaskyla, Finland |
5 | 5 | 5 | 89 | Jeff Waver | D | Hamilton Steelhawks (OHL) |
6 | 6 | 5 | 110 | Shawn McEachern | C | Matignon (Massachusetts) High School |
7 | 7 | 5 | 131 | Jim Bodden | C | Chatham Jr. B |
8 | 8 | 5 | 152 | Jiri Kucera | RW | Dukla Jihlava, Czech. |
9 | 9 | 5 | 173 | Jack MacDougall | RW | New Prep (Massachusetts) High School |
10 | 10 | 5 | 194 | Daryn McBride | C | Denver University Pioneers (WCHA) |
11 | 11 | 5 | 215 | Mark Carlson | LW | Philadelphia Jrs. |
12 | 12 | 5 | 236 | Ake Lilljebjorn | G | Brynas, Sweden |
Jack MacDougall |
Daryn McBride |
Mark Carlson |
Ake Lilljebjorn |
Pittsburgh selected center Chris Joseph
Goaltender Richard Tabaracci from
Right wing Jamie Leach from
Risto Kurkinen, a left wing from
Defenseman Jeff Waver from
Center Shawn McEachern from
Center Jim Bodden from
Right wing Jiri Kucera from
Right wing Jack MacDougall from
Center Daryn McBride from
Left wing Mark Carlson from
Right wing Jiri Kucera from
Goaltender Ake Lilljebjorn from
Goaltender Richard Tabaracci from
Right wing Jamie Leach from
Risto Kurkinen, a left wing from
Defenseman Jeff Waver from
Center Shawn McEachern from
Center Jim Bodden from
Right wing Jiri Kucera from
Right wing Jack MacDougall from
Center Daryn McBride from
Left wing Mark Carlson from
Right wing Jiri Kucera from
Goaltender Ake Lilljebjorn from