Eleven Minnesota Baldes Alumni were picked in the 2007 NHL draft. The first round picks included 2007 Mr. Hockey Ryan McDonagh, Angelo Espisito and Minnesota gophers; Patrick White and Jim O'Brien. These 11 bring the total of drafted Minnesota Blades Alumni to 65 since the 1997 draft.

The Minnesota Blades presence at the 2007 NHL Draft was as strong as usual.  Four Blades were chosen in the first round, matching their 2006 total.  In all, 13 former Blades were chosen by NHL teams.  This is the Blades second-best showing, short  the 16 Blades chosen in the 2006 draft.

Minnesota’ four first round picks included Mr. Hockey Minnesota Ryan McDonough when he was chosen by Montreal with the 13th overall pick.   Angelo Esposito, who played with the Blades while he attended Shattuck-St. Mary’s was chosen 20th by Pittsburgh.  Patrick White was taken by Vancouver (#25)  and Ottawa grabbed Jim O’Brien at No. 29.   

Mike Hoeffel was chosen by New Jersey in the second round.  Other Blades picked in the NHL draft included Ryan Thang (NSH); Kent Patterson (Co); Brett Bruenteau ((WSH); Cade Fairchild (StL); Blake Kessel (NYI); Joshua Turnbull (LA);   John Lee (FLA), and Nick Larson (WSH). 

Blades Board Member Terry Moore commented: “We are very proud of  the Minnesota Blades tradition.   The success of the Blades teams and alumni is a tribute to the quality of Minnesota hockey players.”    Sixty-eight Blades alumni have been drafted by the NHL and more than 200 former Blades have earned Division 1 hockey scholarships.  No other Minnesota program comes close to this record.   “We don’t believe in ghosts” said Moore “ Our players play with and against the best players in North America, so they see exactly what they must do if they want to play at the highest level.”