Penn State freshman Evan Barratt picked in 3rd round of NHL draft

Incoming freshman Evan Barrett of the Penn State men’s hockey team was chosen in the NHL draft on Saturday afternoon.

The 5-foot-11, 182-pound center was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the third round. He was picked 90th overall — the second-highest selection for a Nittany Lion. Former Lion goalie Eamon McAdam was picked 70th overall by the New York Islanders in 2013.

Barrett was in Chicago for the draft and quickly donned a Blackhawks sweater and hat to celebrate the moment.

Despite the draft selection, Barrett, who has spent time with the U.S. developmental program and is from Bristol in the Philadelphia suburbs, is expected to be skating with the Nittany Lions this fall. He played on the U.S. Under-18 team this past season, netting 18 goals and 38 assists in 63 games.

In the NHL, teams hold a draft selection’s rights for 30 days after the player chooses to leave college.

Other Penn State NHL draft picks:

▪  Cole Hults, freshman: Fifth round, L.A. Kings

▪  Denis Smirnov, sophomore: Sixth round, Colorado Avalanche

▪  Aarne Talvitie, Class of 2018 commit: Sixth round, New Jersey Devils

This story was originally published June 24, 2017 at 12:34 PM with the headline "Penn State freshman Evan Barratt picked in 3rd round of NHL draft."