Based on Henrik Lundqvist';s career statistics, one might think that the New
York Rangers goaltender was a top pick in the NHL Draft.

However, some might be hard pressed to believe that the Are, Sweden native was
selected in the seventh round of the 2000 NHL Draft. Today, most scouts and
team executives can only utter the phrase 'hindsight is 20/20′ to explain
 how Lundqvist wasn';t selected earlier.

Out of the 204 players chosen before the Rangers'; franchise netminder, 21 of
them were goaltenders. In following the inspiration of a recent article
published here, as well as an ESPN production called 'The Brady 6," here is a
look at the goaltenders selected in the 2000 NHL Draft prior to the 2011-12
Vezina Trophy winner.1. Rick DiPietro - Selected before Lundqvist in the 1st
Round (1st Overall) by the New York Islanders

The Islanders were so confident that DiPietro would be their goaltender of the
future that general manager Mike Milbury traded another young goaltender,
Roberto Luongo, to the Florida Panthers on draft day. DiPietro became just the
second goaltender and fourth American to be selected first overall.

After two dominant years with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in the AHL, the
Boston University product became the Isles'; number one goalie during the
2003-04 season. After leading the Islanders to the playoffs in 2003-04 and
winning 30 games in the 2005-06 season, DiPietro signed a 15-year, $67.5
million contract extension.

DiPietro helped lead the Islanders to the playoffs in 2006-07, and was New
York';s representative at the 2008 All-Star Game.

However, a series of injuries have derailed DiPietro';s career. The Isles';
goalie has only played in 47 games over the last four seasons, posting a
14-24-7 record over that timespan.2. Brent Krahn - Selected before Lundqvist in
 the 1st Round (9th Overall) in the 2000 NHL Draft by the Calgary Flames

The Flames selected Krahn after he posted a 33-6-0 record for the Calgary
Hitmen in the WHL. However, Krahn';s statistics declined in his last three
years of junior hockey.

Krahn spent eight years in the Flames organization, but a series of knee
injuries hindered his development. After playing the 2007-08 season in the AHL,
 the Flames decided to let the Winnipeg, Manitoba leave as a free agent.

Krahn was picked up by the Stars organization, and played in one NHL game in
2008-09. Krahn allowed three goals on nine shots in one period of action.

After the 2010-11 season, Krahn was let go by the Stars. He didn';t play during
 the 2011-12 season.3. Ilya Bryzgalov - Selected before Lundqvist in the 2nd
Round (44th Overall) by the Anaheim

Bryzgalov has carved out a solid NHL career, although he is arguably just as
well known for his "universal thoughts" as his play in the net.

After being drafted by the Ducks, Bryzgalov got a taste of the NHL in 2002-03
and 2003-04 before he starting 31 games in 2005-06. Bryzgalov took over as the
team';s number one goalie during their 2006 playoff run. Ilya posted a 6-4
record with three shutouts while leading the Ducks to the Western Conference
Finals.

"Bryz" won the Stanley Cup with Anaheim in 2007, but with J.S. Giguere and
Jonas Hiller on the roster, the Ducks put Bryzgalov on waivers, and he was
claimed by the Phoenix Coyotes.(Tom Turk/THW)

Bryzgalov';s best years to date have been in Phoenix. In the 2009-10 season,
Ilya won 42 games and was nominated for the Vezina Trophy while leading the
Coyotes to the playoffs.

After the 2010-11 season, the Togliatti, Russia native was traded to the
Philadelphia Flyers. Bryzgalov had a decent year in Philadelphia, while helping
 the Flyers reach the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Whether or not he will live up to the nine-year, $51 million contract he signed
 remains to be seen.4. Mathieu Chouinard - Selected before Lundqvist in the 2nd
 Round (45th Overall) by the Ottawa Senators

Chouinard was originally selected in the first round of the 1998 Draft by the
Senators. However, after the two sides were unable to come to terms on a deal,
Chouinard re-entered the Draft and was selected by Ottawa again.

The Laval, Quebec native had a solid junior career with the Shawinigan
Cataractes of the QMJHL. Although Chouinard posted respectable numbers in his
first three years of pro hockey, he was let go by Ottawa after the 2002-03
season.

Chouinard joined the Los Angeles Kings organization for the 2003-04 season, and
 appeared in one NHL game with the Kings. However, the remainder of
Chouinard';s career was spent in the ECHL.

Chouinard retired from pro hockey after the 2005-06 season.5. Dan Ellis -
Selected before Lundqvist in the 2nd Round (60th Overall) by the Dallas
Stars(Icon SMI)

Ellis has had a solid NHL career. After playing college hockey with the
University of Nebraska-Omaha, Ellis was developed in the Stars organization.

The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native made his NHL debut with the Stars in
2003-04. However, he only played one game with Dallas.

Ellis joined the Nashville Predators for the 2007-08 season, and burst onto the
 scene. He posted a 23-10-3 record, with a 2.34 goals against average, .924
save percentage, and six shutouts.

However, Ellis has been unable to replicate that success. After two more
seasons in Nashville, and one season in Tampa Bay, Ellis has served as the
Anaheim Ducks'; backup for the last two years.6. Mikael Tellqvist - Selected
before Lundqvist in the 3rd Round (70th Overall) by the Toronto Maple Leafs

Tellqvist was drafted out of Djurgardens IF in the Swedish Elite League. The
Sundbyberg, Sweden native played his first season of professional hockey in
2001-02 with the St. John';s Maple Leafs in the AHL.Mikael Tellqvist (cmgoonie9
 / Flickr)

After playing 14 games combined in the 2002-03 and the 2003-04 seasons,
Tellqvist';s first significant stretch of NHL experience came in the 2005-06
season. The then 26-year-old Tellqvist posted a 10-11-2 record in 25 games with
 Toronto.

However, Tellqvist was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes early in the 2006-07
season.

2008-09 was Tellqvist';s last NHL season. The netminder split the year between
the Coyotes and the Buffalo Sabres.7. Peter Hamerlik - Selected before
Lundqvist in the 3rd Round (84th Overall) by the Pittsburgh Penguins

Despite being selected by the Penguins, Hamerlik couldn';t reach an agreement
with Pittsburgh. Two years later, the Slovakian goaltender was selected by the
Boston Bruins in the 2002 NHL Draft.

After playing with the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL, Hamerlik spent time in
the ECHL and the AHL for three seasons.

Hamerlik returned to Slovakia for the 2005-06 season, and is currently playing
for Trinec Ocelari HC in the Czech Republic.8. Jean-Francois Racine - Selected
before Lundqvist in the 3rd Round (90th Overall) by the Toronto Maple Leafs

Racine played his junior hockey with the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the QMJHL.
 After his junior career, the Roxton Falls, Quebec native split time between
the Memphis Riverkings in the CHL and the St. John';s Maple Leafs in the AHL
for the next three years.

Racine played with the Toronto Marlies for the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons, but
 left the Maple Leafs organization after the 2006-07 season. Racine last played
 for Sorel-Tracy Carvena in the LNAH.9. Stefan Liv - Selected before Lundqvist
in the 4th Round (102nd Overall) by the Detroit Red Wings

Liv was one of the best goalies in the Swedish Elite League. The Gdynia, Poland
 native was the starting goaltender for HV71 from the 2000-01 season to the
2005-06 season.

In 2006-07, Liv played his first season of pro hockey in North America. The
goalie split time between the Red Wings'; AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids and
their ECHL affiliate in Toldeo. However, after the season, Liv returned to the
Swedish Elite League.

After playing with HC Sibir in the KHL for the 2010-11 season, Liv signed with
Lokomotiv Yaroslavl for the 2011-12 season. Unfortunately, Liv was one of the
players killed in the team';s plane crash on September 7, 2011.Henrik Lundqvist
 (Rich Kane/Icon SMI)10. Ghyslain Rousseau - Selected before Lundqvist in the
4th Round (111th Overall) by the Buffalo Sabres

Rousseau played with Baie-Comeau Drakkar in the QMJHL. After his junior career,
 the Thetford Mines, Quebec native played in the CHL during the 2002-03 season,
 before playing in the LNAH for the remainder of his pro career.

Rousseau';s last season was with the St. Georges CRS Express during the 2008-09
 season.11. Levente Szuper - Selected before Lundqvist in the 4th Round (116th
Overall) by the Calgary Flames

In his last year of junior hockey, Szuper posted a 31-15-2 record with the
Ottawa 67';s of the OHL. The Budapest, Hungary native started the next season
with the St. John';s Flames, where he would play the next three seasons.

After playing most of the 2003-04 season in the ECHL, Szuper left North America
 and played in Europe. Szuper returned to North America for two seasons, but in
 2011-12, he signed with Arystan Temirtau of the Kazakhstan Senior
League.Henrik Lundqvist (Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports)12. Davis Parley -
Selected before Lundqvist in the 4th Round (120th Overall) by the Florida
Panthers

Parley spent all four years of junior eligibility with the Kamloops Blazers of
the WHL. From the junior ranks, Parley moved up to the ECHL.

However, Parley barely made it out of the ECHL, appearing in only one game for
the AHL';s Hershey Bears in the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons.

Parley';s last year of pro hockey came in 2008-09. The Grenfell, Saskatchewan
native split the season between The Nottingham Panthers in the EIHL and the
Tulsa Oilers in the CHL.13. Brandon Snee - Selected before Lundqvist in the 5th
 Round (143rd Overall) by the New York Rangers

The Rangers selected the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native out of Union
College, where Snee started for all four seasons. Snee played 13 games in the
ECHL during his first year of pro hockey in 2002-03.

The following season, Snee played 12 games for the Jacksonville Barracudas
under former Rangers player Ron Duguay. The 2003-04 season would be Snee';s
last in pro hockey.Henrik Lundqvist (Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports)14. Matus
Kostur - Selected before Lundqvist in the 6th Round (164th Overall) by the New
Jersey Devils

Kostur played for HKM Zvolen in the Slovakian Extraliga when he was drafted by
the Devils. Kostur came to North America for the start of the 2002-03 season.

After spending the 2002-03 season in the ECHL, Kostur split the following year
between the ECHL and the AHL. By the time the 2005-06 season began, Banska
Bystrica, Slovakia native was back in Europe.

Kostur played in Belarus, Latvia, and even returned to Zvolen in Slovakia,
before ending his career with Dinamo Minsk in the KHL after the 2008-09
season.15. Nathan Marsters - Selected before Lundqvist in the 6th Round (165th
Overall) by the Los Angeles Kings

Following his selection, Marsters played four years of college hockey at
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In the 2005-06 season, Marsters was the
starting goalie for the Portland Pirates inthe AHL.

However, following that year, most of his career was spent in the CHL. Marsters
 hung up the skates for good in 2008.

On June 8, 2009, Marsters was killed in a car accident.Henrik Lundqvist (Geoff
Burke-US PRESSWIRE)16. Nolan Schaefer - Selected before Lundqvist in the 6th
Round (166th Overall) by the San Jose Sharks

Schaefer spent four years at Providence College, where he became one of the
best goaltenders in the school';s history.

After 12 games in the ECHL in 2003-04, Schaefer was called up to the Cleveland
Barons of the AHL, where he would play for the next three years.Nolan Schaefer
(Sarah Connors)

In 2005-06, the Yellow Grass, Saskatchewan native made his NHL debut with the
Sharks. In seven games that season, Schaefer posted a 5-1-0 record with a 1.87
goals against average and a .920 save percentage. However, those seven games
were the only times Schaefer played in the NHL.

Schaefer played the next three years exclusively in the AHL, splitting time
with the Worcester Sharks, Hershey Bears, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, and
the Houston Aeros. After playing the 2009-10 season in the KHL with CSKA
Moscow, Schaefer returned to North America and played with the Providence
Bruins and Hershey in the 2010-11 season.

Currently, Schaefer is playing with Ambri-Piotta in the Swiss National
League.17. Zdenek Smid - Selected before Lundqvist in the 6th Round (168th
Overall) by the Atlanta Thrashers

Smid never played in North America. The goalie spent the most of his career in
the Czech Republic, playing for Karlovy Vary HC, Sparta Praha HC, Slavia Praha
HC and Plzen HC.

Smid';s last season was in 2004-05.18. Shane Bendera - Selected before
Lundqvist in the 6th Round (169th Overall) by the Columbus Blue Jackets

The Edmonton, Alberta native split his junior career between the Red Deer
Rebels and Kelowna Rockets of the WHL.

After his junior career ended, Bendera played two seasons in the ECHL, with the
 Dayton Bombers and the Bakersfield Condors. Bendera retired after the 2003-04
season.19. Roman Cechmanek - Selected before Lundqvist in the 6th Round (171th
Overall) by the Philadelphia Flyers

If not for Lundqvist, Cechmanek would have been the goaltending steal of the
2000 NHL Draft.

Unlike the other players selected, Cechmanek was 29 years old when he was
drafted. The Gottwaldov, Czechoslovakia native burst onto the scene in 2000-01,
 posting a 35-15-6 record with a 2.01 goals against average.Roman Cechmanek
(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

In 2002-03, Cechmanek won the William M. Jennings Trophy by recording a 1.83
goals against average in 58 games.

After playing one season with the Kings in 2003-04, Cechmanek returned to
Europe after the lockout. Cechmanek played in Europe for four seasons and
retired after the 2007-08 season.20. Michael Ayers - Selected before Lundqvist
in the 6th Round (177th Overall) by the Chicago Blackhawks

Ayers played college hockey at the University of New Hampshire for four
seasons, and was one of the most dominant goalies in Hockey East.

After his college career, the Hingham, Massachusetts native split the next four
 seasons moving back and forth between the ECHL and the AHL.

Ayers spent the 2007-08 season with Leksands IF in the Swedish Elite League,
and retired after the season.21. Jure Penko - Selected before Lundqvist in the
7th Round (203rd Overall) by the Nashville Predators

Penko was playing with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL when he was drafted
by Nashville.

After playing 17 games apiece in the ECHL in 2001-02 and CHL in 2002-03,
Penko';s career in North America ended.Henrik Lundqvist (Ed Mulholland-US
PRESSWIRE)

Which brings us all the way back to Lundqvist. The Swedish netminder was
selected two picks after Penko. 'King Henrik'; played five seasons with the
Frolunda Indians in the Swedish Elite League before coming to North America.

Lundqvist has won at least 30 games in each of his first seven NHL seasons,
becoming the first goalie to accomplish that feat. He won the Vezina Trophy in
2011-12, and is the Rangers career leader in games played, shutouts, wins (and
loses) and save percentage.

Safe to say, the Blueshirts lucked out with their franchise goaltender.

This article was originally published in November, 2012.

The post 2000 NHL Draft: 21 Goalies Selected Before Henrik Lundqvist appeared
first on The Hockey Writers.

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