Six players who spent the 2012-13 season with their Minnesota high school team, eight Minnesota high school graduates in all, and five other players who played high school hockey in Minnesota were selected in the seven-rounds of the National Hockey League draft, held June 30 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

Topping the list was Connor Hurley, who led Edina to the 2013 Class AA state title. He was taken with the eighth pick in the second round, 38th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres.

Minnetonka defenseman Tommy Vannelli was the next to be selected as he was chosen by the St. Louis Blues with the 17th pick of the second round, 47th overall. He was the first choice in this year's draft by the Blues, who have a history with Minnesota high school products, including current captain David Backes of Spring Lake Park and Warroad graduate T.J. Oshie.

The fifth round featured seven players with Minnesota ties, beginning with 2011 East Grand Forks graduate Tucker Poolman, taken by the Winnipeg Jets with the sixth pick of the round, 127th overall.

Burnsville defenseman Teemu Kivihalme went with the 19th pick, 140th overall, to the Nashville Predators, who recently added Stillwater head coach Phil Housley to its staff.

Benilde-St. Margaret’s right wing Grant Besse, the 2013 Mr. Hockey Award winner, was chosen by the Anaheim Ducks with the 26th pick, 147th overall.

He was followed by 2011 Blaine graduate Jonny Brodzinski, the 148th overall selection, who was selected by the Los Angeles Kings with the 27th pick of the fifth round.

The final two players selected from the 2012-13 class of Minnesota seniors were Grand Rapids center Avery Peterson, selected with the 16th pick of the sixth round, 167th overall, by the Minnesota Wild and Tartan center Jake Jackson, selected 20th in the seventh round, 201st overall, by the San Jose Sharks.

"It is exciting to see the success in the draft of the Minnesota high school hockey players," Mike MacMillan, Executive Director of the Minnesota Hockey Coaches Association, said. "High school hockey continues to be he path to success for our elite high school athletes.

"We have worked hard to provide opportunities to enhance the high school hockey experience in Minnesota and, again, it is proven not only by this draft but also the number of players represented on NHL rosters."

Five of the 10 Minnesota 2013 high school alums were also finalists for the Mr. Hockey Award, including Besse.

San Jose selected three of the 13 Minnesota high school products, including Jackson, Michael Brodzinski (Blaine, 20th in the 5th round, 141st overall) and Gage Ausmus (East Grand Forks, 30th in the 5th round, 151st overall).

Los Angeles also selected multiple Minnesota high school alums, selecting Johnny Brodzinski after taking Apple Valley’s Hudson Fasching with the 27th pick of the fourth round, 118th overall.

In addition to the six 2013 graduates taken in this year’s draft, Grand Rapids defenseman Jake Bischoff was selected in the 2012 draft, fourth in the seventh round, 185th overall, by the New York Islanders.