Nathan Mackinnon taken first in NHL draft
Colorado Avalanche win lottery and opt for top junior fromteam that produced Sidney Crosby
Canadian Nathan MacKinnon was the first pick of the NHL draft, following in the footsteps of another ice hockey star from his home town in Nova Scotia - Sidney Crosby.
The Colorado Avalanche won the draft lottery for the first time in team history and selected MacKinnon, 17, a solid two-way presence with strong hands and stick-handling and skating skills. He is considered a natural scorer and a superb puck distributor.
He was the first player drafted No 1 overall out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League since the Pittsburgh Penguins selected Crosby in 2005.
MacKinnon and Crosby are both from Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia.
"I love Sid. He's my favourite player," MacKinnon said. "I guess he's still my favourite player. I don't really know what to say now since I'm going to be in the same league as him. I don't know if I should dislike him or not."
The Florida Panthers made centre Aleksander Barkov, the top-ranked European skater, the second overall pick.
Barkov, born in Finland to Russian parents, has a strong sporting pedigree. His father, Alexander Barkov, played professionally in Russia, Italy and Finland. His mother, Olga, played on the Russian national basketball team.