Rochester Post Bulletin — Ryan Poehling and Jake Oettinger were best friends growing up in Lakeville.
So it seemed fitting they went back-to-back late in the first round of the 2017 NHL draft on Friday night at the United Center.
After more than three hours of watching prospects walk across the stage, Poehling was taken No. 25 overall by the Montreal Canadiens, and a few minutes later, Oettinger heard his named called No. 26 overall by the Dallas Stars.
When asked whether the two players thought about this type of scenario when they were younger, Oettinger responded, “Maybe in our wildest dreams. The fact that my best friend goes one pick before me in the first round of the NHL draft is ridiculous.”
Poehling and Oettinger grew up less than a five-minute drive from each other and played together for one year at Lakeville North High School before Oettinger embarked on a two-year stint with the U.S. National Team Development Program.
