How many players on USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program under-18 team are potential first-round picks?
Cole Eiserman is one of two players in the program who may have heard his name called in the first round of the 2024 draft.
The 17-year-old left winger (6-0, 195), committed to Boston University next season, is 8th in the NHL Central Scouting Bureau’s mid-term rankings. He has one of the best shots in this year’s draft class, leads the NTDP with 48 goals and is second with 73 points in 47 games. He ranks second in NTDP history with 117 career goals, nine shy of Cole Caufield (2017-19) for the all-time lead with 126 goals.
Additionally, center Kamil Bednarik (6-0, 185), 22nd in the Central Scouting Bureau’s midterm rankings, is fourth on the team with 56 points (22 goals, 34 assists) in 51 games. The 17-year-old, also committed to Boston University, has five power play goals and two shorthanded goals.
“He’s the type of player that can play harder when the going gets tough and could be a consideration late in the first round, especially with a team that has multiple first-round picks,” Marr said of Bednarik.