At what age can a player be drafted into the NHL?

In the NHL, the minimum age for a player to be eligible for the draft is 18 years old. This means that players must be at least 18 on or before September 15 of the draft year to be considered for selection. This eligibility rule ensures that players have reached a level of physical and mental maturity deemed appropriate for the professional level of hockey.

Younger players, such as those who are 16 or 17 years old, are not eligible to be drafted, which helps maintain a competitive balance and allows players to further develop their skills in junior leagues or other developmental programs before entering the professional arena. Therefore, players who turn 18 in the calendar year of the draft have the opportunity to showcase their talents and be selected by NHL teams.