Real success stories

MONTREAL -- If history is any indication, the 33rd overall pick could yield a solid player for the Canadiens in the upcoming NHL Draft.

While all eyes will initially be on the two first-round picks currently at general manager Kent Hughes' disposal, the start of the second round could prove interesting.
Veterans like Ryan O'Reilly (2009), James Neal (2005), Loui Eriksson (2003), John LeClair (1987) and Bob Nystrom (1972) were all drafted 33rd, so stay tuned.
Here's a look at just how good those selections turned out to be:
Ryan O'Reilly
O'Reilly has registered 672 points (240 goals, 432 assists) in 938 regular-season games with Colorado, Buffalo and St. Louis. The gritty forward won the Stanley Cup with the Blues in 2019 and claimed the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. He also won the Selke Trophy that season as the League's best defensive forward. A seven-time 20-goal scorer and three-time All-Star, O'Reilly is currently the Blues' captain. The Clinton, ON native boasts two World Championship gold medals and a World Cup of Hockey title as well.

James Neal
Neal has produced 559 points (296 goals, 263 assists) in 869 regular-season games with Dallas, Pittsburgh, Nashville, Vegas, Calgary, Edmonton and St. Louis. The smooth skating forward amassed a career-high 40 goals and 81 points for the Penguins in 2011-12. Neal is a three-time All-Star who helped the Predators and Golden Knights reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2017 and 2018, respectively. The Whitby, ON native has 58 points (33 goals, 25 assists) in 110 career postseason appearances.

Loui Eriksson
Eriksson has generated 613 points (253 goals, 360 assists) in 1,050 regular-season games with Dallas, Boston, Vancouver and Arizona. The Swedish winger reached the 30-goal plateau on two occasions during his career and produced three consecutive 70-plus point campaigns between 2009 and 2012 with the Stars. The 36-year-old Gothenburg native has an impressive international resume, including a gold, silver and bronze medal at the World Championship, and an Olympic silver medal as well.

John LeClair
A name familiar to Canadiens fans everywhere, LeClair was a key contributor to the Stanley Cup triumph in 1993 when he scored two overtime winners in the Finals against Los Angeles. The five-time All-Star would go on to enjoy the best years of his career with the Flyers when he played on the left side of the "Legion of Doom" line with Eric Lindros and Mikael Renberg. LeClair hit the 50-goal plateau in three consecutive seasons with Philadelphia between 1995 and 1998. The American sniper, who also suited up for the Penguins, finished with 819 points (406 goals, 413 assists) in 967 regular-season games and 89 points (42 goals, 47 assists) in 154 postseason appearances. The University of Vermont product was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009.

Bob Nystrom
A four-time Stanley Cup champion with the New York Islanders, Nystrom scored the overtime winner to clinch the 1980 championship over the Flyers. The Swedish-born forward, who moved to Canada as a child, played his entire career for the Isles, registering 513 points (235 goals, 278 assists) in 900 regular-season games and 83 points (39 goals, 44 assists) in 157 playoff outings. He ranks ninth in franchise history in goals and 11th in points. Nystrom earned multiple nicknames during his NHL tenure, including "Thor" and "Mr. Islander." The Bob Nystrom Award was created by the club in 1991 to recognize a player that exemplifies leadership, hustle and dedication.

Some other notables drafted 33rd overall include Arthur Kaliyev (2019) by the Kings, Ivan Barbashev (2014) by the Blues, and Valeri Bure (1992) by the Canadiens.