A lottery, the regular season standings, and finally the playoff results, determine the order of selection in the Entry Draft, while each team is legally permitted to trade their draft picks. A ticket to the NHL Draft allows the ultimate hockey fans an up-close vantage point as each of the 14 teams in the National Hockey League that do not qualify for the playoffs are placed in a weighted lottery at the end of each regular season in order to determine the initial draft picks in each round. Placement in the lottery is determined based individually. The outcome of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is the determining factor in the remaining placement decision. Ironically, the winner of the Stanley Cup is automatically given 30th place, making it the last pick in the draft. The loser is runner-up given the 29th pick. The order of elimination for the remaining of the teams that were in the playoffs decides the next pick spots in the draft just above the finals participants. There is a chance for a wildcard pick that gives a better selection chance to selected teams. Tickets the NHL Draft are in high demand but well worth any price to a true hockey fan. Don't wait in line. Get on-line and order your tickets today.

At the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec Canada, the first NHL draft was held in 1963. It has been held in each year following that historic mark on the establishment of NHL history. Originally dubbed the "NHL Amateur Draft", it has only become a public event since 1980 with a televised broadcast was added to the event a few years later in 1984. The NHL Draft Lottery held prior to the event determines the order of picks for the various organizations and a ticket to potential success; the order of which is delineated for picks two through fourteen. At the conclusion of the Stanley Cup playoffs, the remaining draft picks are placed in order.