Zboril, Chabot Picked In First Round

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Jakub Zboril is now a member of the Boston Bruins.

Zboril was taken 13^th overall by the Bruins in the first round of tonight’s NHL Draft. The Bruins acquired the pick earlier in the day in a deal that sent Milan Lucic to the Los Angeles Kings.

In his rookie season with Saint John this past year, Zboril recorded 13 goals and 20 assists in 44 games. The Czech defenseman, drafted fifth overall by the Dogs in last year’s CHL Import Draft, was projected to be a mid to late first round pick.

It sounds like Zboril was pleased with the pick.

Jakub Zboril: "It was my dream since I was a little boy to play for the Boston Bruins." #OctagonHockey

— Allan Walsh (@walsha) June 27, 2015

Zboril was the first of three straight picks made by the Bruins after a wild day of trades. Among those traded was offensive defenseman Dougie Hamilton.

Of course, Mitchell Dempsey, a Bruins prospect who is related to Boston general manager and St. Stephen native Don Sweeney, joined the Sea Dogs last year.

A few picks later at No. 18, the Ottawa Senators selected Sea Dogs defenseman Thomas Chabot.

Chabot had a breakout year in Saint John last season, posting 12 goals and 29 assists in 66 games. He climbed the draft rankings all year long and was projected to be a mid to late first round pick.

Thomas Chabot is all smiles to be drafted 18th by the @Senators at the #NHLDraft #StartsNow @SportChek pic.twitter.com/UjfZWlVoyt

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 27, 2015

Chabot joins former Sea Dogs forward Mike Hoffman in the Senators organization.

This was the first year since 2011 that the Sea Dogs have had at least one player selected in the opening round. Also, Zboril going 13^th makes him the second highest Sea Dog to ever be picked.

The NHL Draft continues tomorrow where a number of other Dogs should be chosen.