Smilanic drafted 74th overall by Florida Panthers in 2020 NHL Draft
October 07, 2020
Smilanic’s selection makes him the highest draft pick in Quinnipiac hockey program history, surpassing goaltender Keith Petruzzelli '21, who was selected 88th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft.
Smilanic also marks the Bobcats' 12th NHL Draft selection in program history and is the ninth selection in the past eight seasons.
Over the past two seasons, Smilanic was a part of the United States National Team Development Program where he dressed for the US U-17 and US U-18 National Teams.
Last season, Smilanic had seven goals and 15 assists for 22 points in 34 games, in addition to a goal and four assists for five points in seven games against international competition. The season before, Smilanic had 20 goals and 18 assists for 38 points in 54 games with the US U-17 National Team.
Smilanic joins a Quinnipiac team coming off a 21-11-2 season in 2019-20 and returns a strong core of players that contributed on both ends of the ice. The Bobcats have won four Cleary Cups as ECAC Hockey Regular Season Champions since the start of the 2012-13 season, the most in ECAC Hockey.
For more information on Quinnipiac men’s ice hockey, visit gobobcats.com/mih and follow the team on Twitter and Instagram, @QU_MIH.
All-Time Quinnipiac Draft Picks
| Name (Year) | NHL Team | Round | Pick |
| Ty Smilanic (2020) | Florida Panthers | 3 | 74 |
| Peter DiLiberatore (2018) | Vegas Golden Knights | 6 | 180 |
| Keith Petruzzelli (2017) | Detroit Red Wings | 3 | 88 |
| Skyler Brind'Amour (2017) | Edmonton Oilers | 6 | 177 |
| Chase Priskie (2016) | Washington Captials | 6 | 177 |
| Karlis Cukste (2015) | San Jose Sharks | 5 | 130 |
| Devon Toews (2014) | New York Islanders | 4 | 108 |
| Connor Clifton (2013) | Arizona Coyotes | 5 | 133 |
| Peter Quenneville (2013) | Columbus Blue Jackets | 7 | 195 |
| Matthew Peca (2011) | Tampa Bay Lightning | 7 | 201 |
| Kellen Jones (2010) | Edmonton Oilers | 7 | 202 |
| Jordan Samuels-Thomas* (2009) | Atlanta Thrashers | 7 |
203 |
| Pat McGann (2005) | Dallas Stars | 7 |
223 |
| John Doherty* (2003) | Toronto Maple Leafs | 2 |
57 |
| Dan Travis* (2003) | Flordia Panthers | 5 |
141 |
| Ben Blais* (1998) | New York Islanders | 9 |
237 |
*Transferred into Quinnipiac
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