For the third time in Wisconsin hockey history, at least two Badgers were chosen in the first round of the NHL draft.
Center Alex Turcotte waited for just the fifth overall pick when the Los Angeles Kings made him their choice. Forward Cole Caufield sat until pick No. 15 before hearing his name called by the Montreal Canadiens.
Turcotte becomes the third-highest drafted Badger behind second-overall pick Dany Heatley, who went to the Atlanta Thrashers in 2000, and third-overall selection Kyle Turris, chosen by the Phoenix Coyotes.
Caufield's choice gave the Wisconsin its third all-time multi pick first round along with 2016, when Luke Kunin and Trent Frederic were picked, and 2007, when Turris, Ryan McDonagh and Brendan Smith all went in the first round.
Caufield also marks the 13th Badger taken by Montreal in school history, one behind the 14 the Chicago Blackhawks have taken, the most of any NHL team.
Alex Turcotte, Island Lake, Illinois
The 5-11 and 185-pound center for USA Hockey's National Team Development Program Under-18 team posted 27 goals and 62 points in 37 games during the 2018-19 season. He ranked sixth on the team in scoring despite missing 27 contests for Team USA due to health issues.
Cole Caufield, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
The 5-7 and 162-pound forward for the USA Under-18 team, Caufield shattered program goal-scoring records with 126 career markers, 22 more than Phil Kessel (104 ), and with 72 goals this past season, 17 better than Auston Matthews 55 scored during the 2014-15 campaign. Caufield finished with 100 points in 64 games this season to rank second on Team USA.
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