BU's Kieran Millan and Merrimack's Joe Cannata

WAKEFIELD, Mass. - 2009 Hockey East Rookie of the Year Kieran Millan (Edmonton, Alb.) of Boston University was chosen with the 124th pick in the fifth round by the Colorado Avalanche at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft hosted by the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Center on Friday night and Saturday afternoon. Merrimack College sophomore goalie Joe Cannata (Wakefield, Mass.) was also picked in the sixth round with the 173rd pick by the Vancouver Canucks, as one of two Hockey East student-athletes who competed in the league in 2008-2009, along with Millan.

In addition to Cannata and Millan, 11 Hockey East incoming freshmen were chosen, which included BC freshman Chris Kreider with the 19th overall pick by the New York Rangers. Kreider is the 30th all-time first-round pick in league history. It marks the third straight season that Hockey East has had a first-round selection. The Eagles led the way with a total of five draft picks. Incoming Eagles Kenny Ryan, Philip Samuelsson, Brian Dumoulin and Patrick Wey were also selected on day two of the draft. Boston University also had a strong showing with three draft choices, which included; Alex Chaisson with the 38th pick of the second round by Dallas, Millan and Wade Wegan.

Merrimack College had two selections, Cannata and Kyle Bigos with the 99th pick in the fourth round by Edmonton New Hampshire, Providence and Vermont were all represented with one selection. A total of 492 Hockey East studentathletes have been selected in the NHL draft in the 25-year history of the league.