Avon Old Farms Hockey Standout Selected in NHL Draft

Five players with Connecticut ties, including an Avon Old Farms School product, were selected in the National Hockey League draft this past weekend.

Patrick Harper, a forward from New Canaan, was drafted by the Nashville Predators in the fifth round with the 138th overall pick.

Two UConn players were drafted, including Tage Thompson, a forward who went to the St. Louis Blues in the first round with the 26th overall pick.

Thompson, who grew up in Orange, is the son of Bridgeport Sound Tigers head coach Brent Thompson.

In the sixth round, Thompson's Husky teammate Joseph Masonius was selected by the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins. A defenseman, Masonius was the 181st overall pick.

Other Connecticut players chosen were defenseman Chad Krys of Ridgefield (Chicago Black Hawks, 2nd round, 45th pick) and defenseman Chase Priskie of Quinnipiac University (Washington Capitals, 6th round, 177th pick).

Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Eliteprospects.com