Since Walt Kyle took over as head coach of NMU Hockey, the talent level on the team has dramatically improved. Prior to Walt’s arrival, the NMU Hockey Program was lucky to just have a handful of NHL draft picks and prospects in its lineup. The 2005-06 Wildcat team on the other hand, will boast a record 11 NHL draft picks (40% of the roster). NMU’s talent-laden roster will be either 1st or 2nd in the entire CCHA with the most NHL draft picks–a truly great accomplishment!

Here is the list of all current drafted Wildcats and their respective rankings within each NHL organization:

Dusty Collins, Forward, Tampa Bay (Top 25 prospect)
Spencer Dillon, Defense, Florida (Top 25 prospect)
Patrick Murphy, Forward, Edmonton (Top 40 prospect)
Darin Olver, Forward, New York (#12 prospect)
Nathan Oystrick, Defense, Atlanta (#8 prospect)
Mike Santorelli, Forward, Nashville (Top 40 prospect)
Andrew Sarauer, Forward, Vancouver (Top 40 prospect)
Matt Siddall, Forward, Atlanta (Top 40 prospect)
Dirk Southern, Forward, Anaheim (Top 30 prospect)
Zach Tarkir, Defense, New Jersey (Top 40 prospect)
Geoff Waugh, Defense, Dallas (#17 prospect)

source: Hockeysfuture.com