Two current Wisconsin Badgers were selected over the weekend in the 2015 NHL Draft, as freshman Luke Opilka and Cameron Hughes heard their name called.
Opilka, a freshman netminder, went in the fifth round, 146th overall, to the St. Louis Blues. Hughes, a sophomore forward, was taken in the sixth round by the Boston Bruins.
"We think he is underrated," St. Louis Blues director of amateur scouting Bill Armstrong said of Opilka. ". . . He is a kid who competes. He is a very focused kid with good size and good athletic ability."
Opilka played last season for the U.S. Under-18 Team as part of the U.S. National Team Development Program (NTDP) in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He went 25-7-0 with a 2.77 goals-against average and three shutouts.
"Everyone hopes to be drafted and I was lucky enough to get picked," Hughes said. "I was really excited and honored to be picked by such an historic franchise. Going forward, I'm just really excited for the opportunity."
Hughes tied for the Badgers' freshman scoring lead last season, posting three goals and 13 points in 34 games.
With the picks of Opilka and Hughes, 151 Badgers have now been chosen in the NHL draft since Jeff Rotsch was picked in 1970.
