#17

Best Picks- Bobby Clarke (1969) & Zach Parise (2003)

Three players who were selected 17th overall in different NHL drafts, Brad Church, Alexei Mikhnov, and Marek Schwarz, are prime examples of promising prospects who ultimately fell short of expectations.

Brad Church, a forward from the Prince Albert Raiders (WHL), was drafted by the Washington Capitals in 1995. Church possessed remarkable talent and was regarded as a potential game-changer.

In 2000, the Edmonton Oilers drafted Alexei Mikhnov as the 17th overall pick. Mikhnov, a skilled forward from Avangard Omsk in the Russian Superleague, showcased tremendous potential with his size, scoring ability, and overall skill set. However, doubts lingered regarding his consistency and adaptation to the North American game. Mikhnov’s struggles to adjust hindered his progress in the NHL, as he failed to secure a permanent spot on the roster. Playing just one game for the Oilers, he was unable to register a single point. Consequently, Mikhnov returned to Russia’s top hockey league, the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), where he found moderate success. Rumors of attitude and work ethic issues further tarnished his reputation, solidifying his status as a draft bust. As of the last available information in September 2021, Mikhnov continued his professional career, primarily playing for Avangard Omsk in the KHL.

Marek Schwarz, a promising goaltender from Sparta Prague in the Czech Extraliga, was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Renowned for his agility, reflexes, and technical prowess, Schwarz appeared destined for greatness. However, his career took a different turn as he struggled to establish himself as a reliable starting goaltender in the NHL. With only four NHL games under his belt, Schwarz recorded a single win and suffered three losses. Unable to secure a permanent role at the highest level, he resorted to playing in various European leagues after returning to his native Czech Republic. Schwarz’s lackluster performance and failure to live up to expectations earned him the label of a draft bust. As of September 2021, Schwarz was still playing professional hockey for HC Benátky nad Jizerou in the Czech Republic’s second-tier league.

Winner- Alexei Mikhnov- Among the three players mentioned, the biggest bust or disappointment of a draft choice would be Alexei Mikhnov. While all three players failed to meet the expectations associated with their draft positions, Mikhnov’s lack of impact in the NHL, coupled with rumors of attitude and work ethic issues, contributed to his status as the biggest disappointment. Despite being a highly regarded prospect with considerable potential, Mikhnov struggled to adapt to the North American game and failed to secure a permanent spot in the NHL. His limited NHL appearances and minimal statistical contributions cemented his reputation as a draft bust, making him the most significant disappointment among the three players discussed.

#16

Best Picks- Dave Andreychuk (1982) & Vladimir Tarasenko (2010)

Worst

No competition on this one- When the Atlanta Thrashers made their selection of Alex Bourret in the initial round of the 2005 Entry Draft, they held the belief that they had secured a budding force as a forward for the future.

Hailing from the ranks of the Lewiston MAINEiacs as a skilled right-winger, Bourret showcased an impressive performance during his draft-eligible year. He achieved notable statistics of 31 goals and 55 assists, while also accumulating a significant penalty box presence of 172 minutes, all within the realm of the QMJHL club.

Following his drafting and subsequent return to junior hockey, Bourret expressed his desire to play in closer proximity to his hometown of Drummondville, Quebec. Consequently, he requested a trade and was subsequently relocated to the Shawinigan Cataractes. In his solitary season with the Cataractes, Bourret exhibited astonishing offensive capabilities, amassing an impressive tally of 44 goals and 70 assists, resulting in an overall remarkable output of 114 points across 67 games.

However, despite the promise he displayed, Bourret’s potential did not come to fruition at the professional level. He made the transition to the pro ranks prior to the commencement of the 2006-07 season, but unfortunately failed to secure a spot on the NHL roster. After a brief stint with the Wolves, Bourret’s fortunes led him to be traded to the New York Rangers in exchange for Pascal Dupuis and a third-round pick in the 2007 draft. Following two seasons with the Hartford Wolf Pack, he was once again traded, this time to the Phoenix Coyotes in 2008, where he subsequently played for the San Antonio Rampage during the 2008-09 campaign.

Regrettably, Bourret’s aspiration of competing in an NHL game remained unfulfilled, as he never had the opportunity to make an appearance on hockey’s grandest stage. His professional career came to a close in the 2014-15 season, having last represented the ECHL’s Wichita Thunder. Subsequently, he went on to play for various teams in the Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey, a semi-professional league based in Quebec, up until 2018.

Winner- Alex Bourret. Bourett in the midst of all that even had a stint in the Asia League and Kazakhstan.