Several NHL bloodlines made NHL connections today, including two in the Red Wings’ cases (see: Kris and Kienan Draper and Adrian and Kyle Aucoin), and ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski took note of the fact that the players drafted by teams their fathers played for and competed against…earned their picks:
Kris Draper was a 20-year veteran in the NHL, while Jamie Langenbrunner played for 18 seasons. On Wednesday, they shared a remarkable moment for any hockey parent: The chance to select their own sons in the NHL draft.
The Detroit Red Wings and Draper, their director of amateur scouting, selected his 18-year-old son Kienan Draper, a right wing with the BCHL Chilliwack Chiefs, in the seventh round (187th overall).
The Boston Bruins and Langenbruuner, their director of player development, selected his 18-year-old son Mason Langenbruuner, a defenseman for Sioux City in the USHL, in the fifth round (151st overall).
“He didn’t get my approval or ask for my approval. A couple of our scouts that followed Kienan were pushing pretty hard,” said Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman. “Kris and I had a conversation about it recently, and initially I asked if he was sure he wanted to put his son in that position.”
