With hockey great Wayne Gretzky on hand in Columbus, Ohio, Wisconsin, it seemed, could not have found a better time to make history.
For the first time in the program's existence, and just the third time ever in collegiate hockey, three players from one school were selected in the first round of the same draft.
"The University of Wisconsin has always had the ability to attract a really fine student-athlete," Wisconsin head coach Mike Eaves said in a phone interview. "This is just an example that shows that we're still able to do that. I think it speaks well to the job the coaching staff does that we can be the type of university that we are."
Incoming freshman forward Kyle Turris was selected third overall by Gretzky's Phoenix Coyotes, followed by defensemen Ryan McDonagh and Brendan Smith. McDonagh was taken 12th overall by the Montreal Canadiens, and Smith went to the Detroit Red Wings with the 27th overall pick.
Described by Eaves as "6-year-olds on Christmas Day" with "permanent smiles" on their faces, draft day was everything his three players-to-be had hoped for.
Rated the top skater in North America according to scouts, Turris could have become the first Wisconsin player drafted No. 1 overall. However, the Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers determined that other players were the most compatible with their needs and Turris slipped to No. 3.
Still, the 2007 Canadian Junior Hockey Player of the Year and British Columbia Hockey League MVP added his name to the annals of Badger hockey history by becoming the second-highest UW player drafted. Dany Heatley was selected No. 2 by the Atlanta Thrashers in 2000.
Interestingly enough, an international media frenzy didn't always follow the multi-talented Turris like his own shadow. It wasn't until just over two years ago that the media knew who Turris was. He was small. Real small. Because of his size, or lack thereof, Turris never fathomed that he could possibly be picked as high as No. 3 overall.
Luckily for Turris and his family, the 5-foot-2 nobody became a 5-foot-10 somebody between bantam hockey and the Junior B League. Since that time he has gotten better, bigger and stronger. Yet looking back, the rapidity in which Turris' career has taken flight is mind-boggling, even to him.
"I never really thought about the NHL until the past year," Turris said in a phone interview. "I mean it has all come up so fast that it's just been really exciting and been a new experience for my family and I."
Not one to boast in the manner that would be seen as proper considering his level of talent (121 points in 53 games last season, including 66 goals), Turris took time to thank everyone from his parents, his friends, teachers and coaches for the help they provided him along the way.
"It was pretty neat getting drafted and seeing how much I've changed over the years, and how much I've learned from the people I've been around, and how lucky I have been to play with the players I have, so it has been a great past couple years, and it really makes you think about all the people who helped me along the way," Turris said.
Teaming with Turris in the fall will be McDonagh, who became the second-highest drafted defenseman in school history. Only Ryan Suter was taken higher when the Nashville Predators made him their first pick (seventh overall) in 2003.
Named 2007's "Mr. Hockey" in the state of Minnesota, McDonagh led Cretin-Derham Hall High School to state titles in both hockey and baseball. And Eaves believes McDonagh will be a great fit with the team.
"He's a terrific athlete, and I think in this day and age it's harder to find those guys that are able to do what Ryan has done, and that's be a very successful two sport athlete in high school," Eaves said.
The third and final Badger selected in the first round was Smith. Despite projections that he was a second- or possibly third-round option, Detroit wasted no time selecting the former St. Michael's (Ontario) star with its first pick of the draft. The Red Wings liked his skills with the puck and believe that Smith has tremendous upside.
Also drafted was freshman forward Josh Turnbull, a fifth-round selection of the Los Angeles Kings.
