Nationality Trends At NHL Draft

Here's a look at the percentage of draftees by nationality in each year since the lock out. I have only included the big seven hockey countries here:

To no one's surprise Canada is the run away leader in supplying the NHL with talent. The Americans have had strong draft classes, too, with a bit of a blip in 2008.

Much has been made about the Swedish draft class of 2009 marking the next generation of Swedish stars. Traditionally the third biggest supplier of NHL talent, Sweden's development of youth hockey had fallen off in recent years.

The Czech Republic has really slipped in recent years, with very few bright young prospects of late. The dearth of talent has hurt the Czechs at the world junior championships lately, and will soon reflect in other international standings such as the Olympics.

Russia's numbers are likely skewed because of the lack of a transfer agreement with the NHL. NHL teams will select the best of the best Russians, but the mid-round long shot draft picks are being used on players from other countries since there is not likely to be the same problem bringing them to North America should they develop into a legitimate NHLer.