The New Jersey Devils have selected 462 players to date at the annual NHL Entry Draft, which began in 1963. The Hockey News will continue its series on the franchise's top five picks from each round leading up to the 2024 event on Friday, June 28.
Historically, the Devils have drafted 56 players in the third round, 38 of whom have appeared in an NHL game and 33 of whom have played for Kansas City, Colorado (Rockies), and New Jersey.
The organization's first third-round pick was Bob Bourne (38th overall) in the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft, and their most recent one was Samu Salminen (68th overall) in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
Join us to see who makes the cut as the best-drafted player in Devils' history.
Note: Dates, achievements, and statistics obtained from Hockey-Reference.com and EliteProspects.com .
Top New Jersey Devils Draft Picks From the Third Round
5. Adam Henrique – 82nd Overall 2008
NHL stats: 912 GP – 263 G – 267 A – 530 Pt s
New Jersey stats: 455 GP – 122 G – 135 A – 257 Pt s
Adam Henrique is a 14-year NHL veteran, appearing twice in the Stanley Cup Final in 2012 and 2024. He played eight seasons with New Jersey before skating with the Anaheim Ducks and, most recently, the Edmonton Oilers.
If he remains healthy, he'll become just the third third-round draft pick in Devils history to skate in 1,000 games.
Henrique was a back-to-back Memorial Cup champion in juniors in 2009 and 2010. He was also an OHL champ, won the OHL playoff MVP award, and was a U20 World Junior Silver Medalist. Internationally, he's won a World Championship with Canada in 2021.
4. Blake Coleman – 75th Overall 2011
NHL stats: 542 GP – 135 G – 116 A – 251 Pt s
New Jersey stats: 237 GP – 57 G – 37 A – 94 Pt s
Blake Coleman began his NHL career with the Devils, who drafted him in the third round in 2011. After four seasons, he was dealt to the Tampa Bay Lightning for a first-round pick and Nolan Foote.
In Tampa Bay, Coleman won back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in 2020 and 2021. Formerly, as a two-time 20-goal scorer, he set a career high with 30 in 2023-24.
While playing junior hockey in the USHL, he was the USA Hockey Player of the Year, the USHL Forward of the Year, and the USHL Player of the Year.
Coleman won an NCAA (NCHC) championship at Miami University and was named tournament MVP in 2015.
3. Brian Gionta – 82nd Overall 1998
NHL stats: 1,026 GP – 291 G – 304 A – 595 Pt s
New Jersey stats: 473 GP – 152 G – 160 A – 312 Pt s
Brian Gionta had a distinguished NHL career, suiting up for 1,026 games and winning the Stanley Cup as a member of the Devils in 2003.
At Boston College, he was a three-time Hockey East champion and a two-time Hobey Baker Finalist. As one of the best Hockey East players, he earned several accolades, including All-Star team honors, Player of the Year, and MVP awards.
In the NHL, Gionta played with New Jersey, Montreal, Buffalo, and Boston, serving as the captain of the Canadiens from 2010 to 2014. As a seven-time 20-goal scorer, he set a career-high of 48 in 2005-06.
He was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2000.
2. Pat Verbeek - 43rd Overall 1982
NHL stats: 1,424 GP – 522 G – 540 A – 1,062 Pt s
New Jersey stats: 463 GP – 170 G – 150 A – 403 Pt s
Pat Verbeek has a resume worthy of induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame someday. In 1,424 games, he scored 522 goals and 1,062 points, winning the Stanley Cup in 1999 with the Dallas Stars.
Internationally, he won a World Championship in 1994 and a silver medal in 1989. A two-time NHL All-Star, he served as captain of the Hartford Whalers for four seasons.
Verbeek was a four-time 40-goal scorer, setting a career-high of 46 in 1988. He netted at least 20 goals in 13 of his 20 seasons in the league.
1. Bob Bourne – 38th Overall 1974
NHL stats: 964 GP – 258 G – 324 A – 582 Pt s
New Jersey stats: Did not play
Bourne was the first-ever fourth-round draft pick in franchise history; however, he never skated with the organization. In September 1974, he was dealt to the New York Islanders, where he would play 12 seasons and win the Stanley Cup four times: in 1980, 1981, 1982, and 1983.
After the 1986 season, Bourne was claimed by the Los Angeles Kings in the waiver draft, where he played out his final two seasons in California, retiring in 1988, the year he won the Bill Masterton Trophy.
Besides winning the Stanley Cup, Bourne was also a member of Team Canada, which won the 1985 Canada Cup. Despite leaving the Islanders almost 40 years ago, he remains in the top ten in games played, goals, and points.
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