It took over 5 hours, but for incoming hockey freshman Grant Besse and Jedd Soleway the wait was worth it as they both heard their names called in the 2013 NHL draft in New Jersey.
Besse, the reigning Mr. Hockey in Minnesota, went in the fifth round (147th overall) to the Anaheim Ducks – a team very familiar with what the Badgers have to offer. Soleway went to the Phoenix Coyotes in the seventh round (193rd overall).
By drafting Grant Besse the Ducks drafted an incoming Badger for the 2nd straight season, joining Nic Kerdelis. Overall four Badgers have been drafted in the last six years by the Ducks and nine overall in the history of the franchise.
Phoenix is nearly the opposite of that as Soleway is just the 3rd Badger drafted by the Coyotes, joining Kyle Turris and Brett Bennett. Turris is most famous of the picks, being taken third overall in the 2007 draft after Bennett went a season before.
Besse earned fame and the Mr. Hockey title by leading his Benilde-St. Margaret's High School to the state title, scoring all five goals in the championship game. Soleway comes to the Badgers from the Penticton Vees in the BCHL.
Overall Wisconsin has seen 149 players be drafted into the NHL, with 76 of the alumni making it into the NHL. This season the Badgers will skate out with nine NHL draft picks on their roster.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
