Less than 50% of players selected in the NHL entry draft play at least one game in the NHL

Being draft by an NHL team is certainly no guarantee of ever making it to the show.  Since 2005 only about 43% of players picked in the draft ever played a single game at the NHL level. The draft class of 2011 had the most success with almost 56% of players drafted that at least had a cup of coffee with the big club.  Clearly, the more recent draft years will continue to increase the penetration of prospects who break the single game barrier, but the on average the number seems to consistently asymptotically approach the 50% limit with a couple of expectations.

 

% of Drafted Hockey Players Who Make it to the NHL

Note: As of the end of the 2016-17 NHL regular season