The 2001 NHL draft was held on June 24, 2001 in Sunrise Florida. Ilya Kovalchuk was selected #1 overall by the Atlanta Thrashers. The Ottawa Senators selected Jason Spezza going #2 overall.
Notable 2001 NHL draft picks were Patrick Sharp going in the third round at #95 overall and goalie Cristobal Huet going in round seven at #214 overall.
2001 NHL draft results round one
| Pick | Player | Nationality | NHL team | College/junior/club team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ilya Kovalchuk (LW) | Russia | Atlanta Thrashers | Spartak Moscow (Russia) |
| 2 | Jason Spezza (C) | Canada | Ottawa Senators (from NY Islanders) | Windsor Spitfires (OHL) |
| 3 | Alexander Svitov (C) | Russia | Tampa Bay Lightning | Avangard Omsk (Russia) |
| 4 | Stephen Weiss (C) | Canada | Florida Panthers | Plymouth Whalers (OHL) |
| 5 | Stanislav Chistov (LW) | Russia | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim | Avangard Omsk (Russia) |
| 6 | Mikko Koivu (C) | Finland | Minnesota Wild | TPS (Finland) |
| 7 | Mike Komisarek (D) | United States | Montreal Canadiens | University of Michigan (NCAA) |
| 8 | Pascal Leclaire (G) | Canada | Columbus Blue Jackets | Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) |
| 9 | Tuomo Ruutu (C) | Finland | Chicago Blackhawks | Jokerit (Finland) |
| 10 | Dan Blackburn (G) | Canada | New York Rangers | Kootenay Ice (WHL) |
| 11 | Fredrik Sjostrom (RW) | Sweden | Phoenix Coyotes (from Calgary) | Frolunda HC (Sweden) |
| 12 | Dan Hamhuis (D) | Canada | Nashville Predators | Prince George Cougars (WHL) |
| 13 | Ales Hemsky (RW) | Czech Republic | Edmonton Oilers (from Boston) | Hull Olympiques (QMJHL) |
| 14 | Chuck Kobasew (RW) | Canada | Calgary Flames (from Phoenix) | Boston College (NCAA) |
| 15 | Igor Knyazev (D) | Russia | Carolina Hurricanes | Spartak Moscow (Russia) |
| 16 | R. J. Umberger (RW) | United States | Vancouver Canucks | Ohio State University (CCHA) |
| 17 | Carlo Colaiacovo (D) | Canada | Toronto Maple Leafs | Erie Otters (OHL) |
| 18 | Jens Karlsson (LW) | Sweden | Los Angeles Kings | Frolunda HC (Sweden) |
| 19 | Shaone Morrisonn (D) | Canada | Boston Bruins (from Edmonton) | Kamloops Blazers (WHL) |
| 20 | Marcel Goc (C) | Germany | San Jose Sharks | Schwenninger Wild Wings (DEL) |
| 21 | Colby Armstrong (RW) | Canada | Pittsburgh Penguins | Red Deer Rebels (WHL) |
| 22 | Jiri Novotny (C) | Czech Republic | Buffalo Sabres | HC Ceske Budejovice (Czech Republic) |
| 23 | Tim Gleason (D) | United States | Ottawa Senators (from Philadelphia via Tampa Bay and Philadelphia) | Windsor Spitfires (OHL) |
| 24 | Lukas Krajicek (D) | Czech Republic | Florida Panthers (from St. Louis via New Jersey) | Peterborough Petes (OHL) |
| 25 | Alexander Perezhogin (RW) | Russia | Montreal Canadiens (from Washington) | Avangard Omsk (Russia) |
| 26 | Jason Bacashihua (G) | United States | Dallas Stars | Chicago Freeze (NAHL) |
| 27 | Jeff Woywitka (D) | Canada | Philadelphia Flyers (from Ottawa) | Red Deer Rebels (WHL) |
| 28 | Adrian Foster (C) | Canada | New Jersey Devils | Saskatoon Blades (WHL) |
| 29 | Adam Munro (G) | Canada | Chicago Blackhawks (from Detroit) | Erie Otters (OHL) |
| 30 | Dave Steckel (C) | United States | Los Angeles Kings (from Colorado) | Ohio State University (NCAA) |