Trio for the NHL

Marco Rossi was regarded as Austria's hottest prospect ahead of the NHL Draft on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Vorarlberg native was ultimately selected ninth overall by the Minnesota Wild in the first round, making him the second-highest-drafted Austrian after Thomas Vanek (2003, fifth overall). When the new NHL season begins on 1 January 2021, the 19-year-old could become the next Austrian NHL forward.

Minnesota has generally been fruitful territory from an Austrian perspective, with Christoph Brandner and Vanek already making their mark in the "State of Hockey". Brandner was Austria's first NHL goalscorer, while Vanek won the college championship with the University of Minnesota, played for the Wild NHL club and currently resides in this US state.

Thimo Nickl and Benjamin Baumgartner experienced the joy of a successful draft evening a few rounds later. In the fourth round, the Anaheim Ducks secured the rights to defenceman Nickl, while in the sixth round, forward Baumgartner, Austria's Player of the Year 2019, was selected by the New Jersey Devils. Both players were key components in winning the gold medal at the most recent IIHF U20 World Championship, which has earned Austria a place in this year's Top Division in Canada. For the first time in 14 years, there were once again draft picks from an Austrian perspective.

"The fact that three Austrians were selected by NHL teams is historic. All three have achieved their first goal, enabling them to continue pursuing their NHL dream. I wish Marco, Thimo and Benjamin all the best at their next stages, so that their NHL dream soon becomes reality," said President Dr Klaus Hartmann in congratulating the trio.

"I am particularly pleased that three players from this age group have made it into the draft. Based on their performances and their attitude towards the sport, much can be expected from them in the future. Being selected in the first round, as Marco was, makes an early appearance for the NHL team possible. Regarding Benjamin, I would simply like to highlight that he has already played at an IIHF World Championship and has played his way onto NHL scouting lists via Switzerland. I believe all three can serve as role models for other Austrians seeking to realise their NHL dream," added Sports Director Roger Bader.

Managing Director Friedrich Nikolaus also joined in the congratulations: "The paths taken by these three show that Austrians, too, can make the step into the best ice hockey league in the world. I wish them every success."

Austrians in the NHL Draft
1995 Martin Hohenberger: Montreal (No. 74)
1997 Gregor Baumgartner: Montreal (No. 37)
1998 Matthias Trattnig: Chicago (No. 94)
1999 Andre Lakos: New Jersey (No. 95)
1999 Gregor Baumgartner: Dallas (No. 156)
2000 Reinhard Divis: St. Louis (No. 261)
2001 Oliver Setzinger: Nashville (No. 76)
2001 Bernd Brückler: Philadelphia (No. 150)
2002 Christoph Brandner: Minnesota (No. 237)
2003 Thomas Vanek: Buffalo (No. 5)
2006 Michael Grabner: Vancouver (No. 14)
2006 Andreas Nödl: Philadelphia (No. 39)
2020 Marco Rossi: Minnesota (No. 9)
2020 Timo Nickl: Anaheim (No. 104)
2020 Benjamin Baumgartner: New Jersey (No. 161)