This week in 1990 (June 16th), the Vancouver Canucks drafted Petr Nedved in the first round of the draft.

The selection was a great choice at the time as he was expected to be an instant star, but Nedved left Vancouver after only three years. He contributed lots, however, scoring 124 points in 222 games.

Locked in a contract dispute that resulted in him holding out in the 1993-94 season, Nedved signed at that years’ trade deadline with the St. Louis Blues. An arbitrator awarded the Canucks Craig Janney and a second-round pick, but Vancouver quickly dealt Janney back to the Blues for Jeff Brown, Bret Hedican and Nathan LaFayette.

Ultimately, there were, in hindsight, some other great options Vancouver could’ve taken second overall. Keith Primeau, Mike Ricci, Jaromir Jagr, Darryl Sydor and Derian Hatcher all could’ve been taken.

The Canucks had another pick in that first round at 18th overall. They took left-winger Shawn Antoski who wound up only playing 70 games over five years in Vancouver.

The players taken 19th and 20th overall? Keith Tkachuk and Martin Brodeur.

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