As much of the hockey world debates Canadian junior hockey products Nolan Patrick and Nico Hischier, the two players widely considered to be taken at the top of tomorrow's National Hockey League Draft in Chicago, the State of Hockey has its attention on its own sons awaiting possible first round selection.

The well-documented year (or years) of Eden Prairie star Casey Mittelstadt's playing career will come to a head on Friday evening, as the top American in the draft has been tabbed as almost a sure lock to go in the top 10 picks, if not the top five.

While leading the Eagles to a third-place finish at the 2017 Minnesota State Boys' High School Hockey Tournament, Mittelstadt totaled 23 goals and 72 points, then posted totals of 13 goals and 30 points in 24 games with the United States Hockey League’s Green Bay Gamblers.

While deserving of the many accolades, Mittelstadt is not the only Minnesota native with such lofty projections as a first-round talent.

Former Lakeville North standout Ryan Poehling accelerated his education to skate with St. Cloud State this past season, and has been projected as a mid-to-late first round pick according to multiple media outlets.

Poehling recorded seven goals and 13 points for the Huskies as the youngest player in college hockey last season.

Fellow Lakeville product Jake Oettinger is the top-rated North American goaltender in the latest NHL Central Scouting ratings, and finished his freshman season at Boston University with a record of 21-11-3, with four shutouts and save percentage of .927.

Oettinger met with 27 teams at the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo, and has been projected to go late in the first round.

Outside of the likely first-rounders, Hermantown’s Dylan Samberg (No. 67 North American skater), Edina native Grant Mismash, Prior Lake product Scott Reedy and former Eden Prairie youth and Holy Family Catholic goaltender Dayton Rasmussen are on the NHL’s radar for the top three to four rounds. 

For more on the NHL Draft, visit nhl.com.