By the time the first round of the 2019 National Hockey League draft concludes, two New England natives who spent the past two seasons in the USA Hockey National Team Development Program are expected to have heard their names called.
And when this year’s draft, which will be held June 21-22 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, is over, a total of four locals out of the NTDP likely will have been selected by NHL organizations.
Left wing Matthew Boldy and goaltender Spencer Knight are the first two predicted to be plucked.
Boldy, a native of Millis, Mass., is coming off a season with the Under-18 team in which he recorded 81 points (33-48-81) in 64 games. In addition to having one of the best shots of all draft-eligible players, he’s excellent down low in the offensive zone and is intense in one-on-one battles. He’s also efficient with his stick.
