The Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec was the host to the 2009 NHL Entry Draft that took place in the 26th and 27th of June. This event was the center piece of the Montreal Canadians Centennial Celebrations and had hockey fans buzzing everywhere. 

The New York Islanders started the ball rolling in dramatic fashion, keeping everyone in suspense until making the #1 selection. They chose 18 yr old London Knights star John Tavares over the best European player in the draft, Victor Headman.

Tavares, a 6-foot, 185-pound native of Oakville, Ont., led the Ontario Hockey League with 58 goals this season and broke Peter Lee's 33-year-old league record of 213 career goals.

"He's an offensively-gifted hockey player," Islanders general manager Garth Snow said. "Whether it's shooting the puck or distributing it, he sees the puck at a different level than any other young player that I've seen in this draft."

Victor Headman, the 6-6, 220 lb Swedish Defenseman, was snatched up second by the Tampa Bay lightning. He was the first of seven Swedish players that were taken in the first round, a record for the country.

The biggest trade of the night was made by the Philadelphia Flyers, who acquired All-Star defenseman Chris Pronger from the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks received two first round picks, right winger Joffrey Lupul, and defenseman Luca Sbisa.

As fitting for the setting, the biggest cheers of the night were heard when the Montreal Canadians selected Montreal native Louis Leblanc with the 18th pick.

The defending champ Pittsburgh Penguins, drafting last in the opening round, picked up defenseman Simon Despres to cap the round, much to the delight of a contingent of Despres family and friends that were in attendance.