List of NHL first overall draft choices

List of players who were drafted first overall in the NHL Entry Draft.

NHL 1963-69

 * Prior to 1969, the NHL Draft was a shorter affair. Any amateur player that was 17 years of age and older and was not already sponsored by an NHL club was eligible to be drafted. In 1969 the rules were changed so that any amateur player under the age of 20 was eligible to be drafted. 84 players (more than four times the average in each of the first six drafts) were selected that year.