The 2023 NHL Entry Draft was the 61st NHL Entry Draft. The draft was held on June 28th and June 29th at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Players born between January 1st, 2003, and September 15th, 2005, were eligible to be selected in this year’s draft. This year six Gamblers were selected in the draft tying Youngstown and Chicago for the second-most selections in the league. The Gamblers have now had a total of 55 NHL Draft picks. The six Gamblers selected in this year’s draft were Adam Gajan, Danny Nelson, Jayson Shaugabay, Rasmus Larsson, Jimmy Clark, and Nick Vantassell.
With the 35th pick overall in the 2nd round of the 2023 NHL Draft the Chicago Blackhawks selected Gamblers goalie Adam Gajan.
Gajan was the first goalie selected in this year’s draft and became the highest-selected Slovakian-born netminder in NHL draft history, besting Peter Budaj who was selected 63rd overall in 2001. Gajan’s draft stock skyrocketed after he represented Slovakia at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championships, being named the tournament’s Best Goaltender. Gajan played six games with the Green Bay Gamblers last year posting a 5-1-0 record with a 2.48 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage.
With the 49th pick overall in the 2nd round of the 2023 NHL Draft the New York Islanders selected Gamblers forward Danny Nelson.
Danny Nelson played 5 games with the Gamblers in the 2021-2022 season before joining the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP). This season for NTDP Nelson had 17 points (8 goals, 9 assists) in 23 games in the USHL, as well as 46 points (20 goals, 26 assists) in 61 games with Team USA’s U18 team. He also had 7 points (4 goals, 3 assists) in 7 games with Team USA at the 2023 IIHF World Junior U18 Championship, winning a gold medal.
With the 115th pick overall in the 4th round of the 2023 NHL Draft the Tampa Bay Lightning select Gamblers forward Jayson Shaugabay.
The Lightning traded up with the Nashville Predators for the 115th overall selection to pick Jayson Shaugabay. Joining us for the before and after, Shaugabay tallied 96 points (33 goals, 63 assists) with Warroad High School earning the title of Minnesota Mr. Hockey. In 27 games with the Gamblers, he picked up 16 points (3 goals, 13 assists).
With the 152nd pick overall in the 5th round of the 2023 NHL Draft the New York Rangers selected Gamblers defenseman Rasmus Larsson.
Rasmus Larsson was selected by the Gamblers back in May with the 16th pick overall in the 1st Round of the 2023 Phase 2 USHL Draft. The Swedish defenseman registered 34 points (16 goals, 18 assists) in 50 regular season games and produced 5 points (3 goals, 2 assists) in 6 postseason games with Västerås IK J20.
With the 213th pick overall in the 7th round of the 2023 NHL Draft the Minnesota Wild selected Gamblers forward Jimmy Clark.
From Edina, Minnesota, and committed to play for the Golden Gophers at the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota Wild took a hometown kid through and through with their selection of forward Jimmy Clark. Clark recorded 47 points (19 goals, 28 assists) in 62 games with the Gamblers last season. This season will be Clark’s third in the league as he recorded 3 assists in 13 games for the Sioux City Musketeers in his rookie campaign en route to their Clark Cup Championship.
With the 215th pick overall in the 7th round of the 2023 NHL Draft the Ottawa Senators selected Gamblers forward Nick VanTassell.
The longest-tenured player from last year’s squad, Nick Vantassell was a fan favorite during his time in Green Bay. In his two seasons as a Gambler, Vantassell recorded 55 points (30 goals, 25 assists) in 120 games. Nick VanTassell and Danny Nelson will be attending college next year as Nick will be playing for the Minutemen at UMass Danny will be playing for the Fighting Irish at Notre Dame. Adam Gajan, Jayson Shaugabay, Rasmus Larsson, and Jimmy Clark are all expected to play for the Gamblers next season.
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