Three one-time Anaheim Jr. Ducks players were selected in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft on June 28-29. 

The group included defensemen Zeev Buium, Will Skahan and Tanner Henricks. It was the second consecutive year the Jr. Ducks have had three players selected, a number that is the most in club history. Overall, 17 Jr. Ducks have been taken in NHL Drafts since 1997.

Buium, who won a World Junior Championship with Team USA in January and an NCAA Championship with Denver in April, went 12th overall to the Minnesota Wild, who traded up one spot to secure him. He became the first American player taken in the draft. Buium also became the highest drafted California-born and -trained player. Former Jr. Ducks defenseman Cam York had held that honor after being picked 14th overall in 2019 by the Philadelphia Flyers. 

Skahan, the son of former Anaheim Ducks strength and conditioning coach Sean Skahan, was the final pick of the second round by Utah Hockey Club at 65th overall. 

Henricks, who played for the Jr. Ducks as recently as the 2022-23 season when he helped the 16U AAA to the USA Hockey Nationals, went early in the fourth round (101st overall) to the Columbus Blue Jackets. 

Henricks was picked one year after his older brother Ty, also a former Jr. Duck, went in the sixth round to the New York Rangers. Tanner said nothing could have prepared him for the emotions he felt after getting drafted. 

"I was shocked. I couldn't believe it," he said. "I always dreamed about getting drafted growing up. 

"My family was definitely super excited for both of us."

Henricks was familiar with the Blue Jackets but he didn't any advance notice of their intentions on June 29.

"They did not alert me ahead of time," he said. "I just saw my name pop up on TV for Columbus and was shocked. 

"I'd spoken to Columbus a couple of times during the season, doing questionaires and meeting with them after games or practices. Also, I met with them at the NHL Combine."

The 6-foot-4, 206-pound Henricks, who played 59 games for Lincoln of the United States Hockey League this past season, was projected to go in the third or fourth round. He was the 79th-ranked North American skater NHL Central Scouting. Henricks is committed to play at St. Cloud State starting in 2025.

The 6-foot-5, 215-pound Skahan had 12 points in 52 games for the U.S. National Team Development Program's U18 team this past season. He's committed to Boston College. 

Buium, whose 50-point season was one of the best ever by an NCAA freshman defenseman, is entering his sophomore season at Denver after collecting an impressive collection of awards this spring. He was selected an AHCA First-Team All-American, won four NCHC honors (Rookie of the Year, Offensive Defenseman of the Year, First Team and Rookie Team) and made the Frozen Four All-Tournament Team. 

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