Medicine Hat Tigers forward Cayden Lindstrom was selected fourth overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets Friday night at the NHL Entry Draft.
The 18-year-old forward was the top ranked Canadian Hockey League prospect heading into the draft and was the third ranked North American Skater by the NHL Central Scouting.
Lindstrom had 27 goals and 46 points in 36 games with the Tigers this season, missing the second half of the season due to injury. He played in four of the Tigers’ five playoff games, putting up a goal and an assist.
Lindstrom is the first Tigers’ player selected in the first round since forward Hunter Shinkaruk was taken 24th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in 2013. He’s the highest drafted Tigers since defenceman Cam Barker was selected third overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2004.
Former Tigers Forward Cole Sillinger was drafted 12th overall by the Blue Jackets in 2021.
Tigers forward Andrew Basha is projected to be a late-first round draft pick Friday night. The rest of the NHL draft continues Saturday, starting at 9:30 a.m. MST. The San Jose Sharks selected Boston University forward and North Vancouver product Macklin Celebrini with the first overall pick in the draft.
Medicine Hat Forward Tomas Mrsic is projected to be drafted on Saturday with three other Tigers, forwards Shane Smith, Hunter St. Martin and goaltender Ethan McCallum also garnering interest on the second day of the draft.
