The 2002 NHL draft was held on June 22, 2002 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Rick Nash was selected #1 overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Atlanta Thrashers selected Kari Lehtonen going #2 overall.
Notable 2002 NHL draft picks were Duncan Keith going in the second round at #54 overall and defenceman Dennis Wideman going in round eight at #241 overall.
2002 NHL draft results round one
| # | Player | Nationality | NHL team | College/junior/club team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rick Nash (LW) | Canada | Columbus Blue Jackets (from Florida) | London Knights (OHL) |
| 2 | Kari Lehtonen (G) | Finland | Atlanta Thrashers | Jokerit (Finland) |
| 3 | Jay Bouwmeester (D) | Canada | Florida Panthers (from Columbus) | Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) |
| 4 | Joni Pitkanen (D) | Finland | Philadelphia Flyers (from Tampa Bay) | Karpat (Finland) |
| 5 | Ryan Whitney (D) | United States | Pittsburgh Penguins | Boston University (Hockey East) |
| 6 | Scottie Upshall | Canada | Nashville Predators | Kamloops Blazers (WHL) |
| 7 | Joffrey Lupul | Canada | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim | Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) |
| 8 | Pierre-Marc Bouchard | Canada | Minnesota Wild | Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL) |
| 9 | Petr Taticek | Czech Republic | Florida Panthers (from Calgary) | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) |
| 10 | Eric Nystrom | United States | Calgary Flames (from NY Rangers via Florida) | University of Michigan (Big Ten) |
| 11 | Keith Ballard (D) | United States | Buffalo Sabres | University of Minnesota (Big Ten) |
| 12 | Steve Eminger (D) | Canada | Washington Capitals | Kitchener Rangers (OHL) |
| 13 | Alexander Semin | Russia | Washington Capitals (from Dallas) | Traktor Chelyabinsk Jrs. (Russia) |
| 14 | Chris Higgins | United States | Montreal Canadiens (from Edmonton) | Yale University (ECAC) |
| 15 | Jesse Niinimaki | Finland | Edmonton Oilers (from Montreal) | Ilves (Finland) |
| 16 | Jakub Klepis | Czech Republic | Ottawa Senators | Portland Winterhawks (WHL) |
| 17 | Boyd Gordon | Canada | Washington Capitals (from Vancouver) | Red Deer Rebels (WHL) |
| 18 | Denis Grebeshkov (D) | Russia | Los Angeles Kings | Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (Russia) |
| 19 | Jakub Koreis | Czech Republic | Phoenix Coyotes | HC Plzen (Czech Republic) |
| 20 | Daniel Paille | Canada | Buffalo Sabres (from New Jersey via Dallas and Columbus) | Guelph Storm (OHL) |
| 21 | Anton Babchuk (D) | Russia | Chicago Blackhawks | Elemash Elektrostal (Russia) |
| 22 | Sean Bergenheim | Finland | New York Islanders | Jokerit (Finland) |
| 23 | Ben Eager | Canada | Phoenix Coyotes (from St. Louis) | Oshawa Generals (OHL) |
| 24 | Alexander Steen | Sweden | Toronto Maple Leafs | Vastra Frolunda HC (Sweden) |
| 25 | Cam Ward (G) | Canada | Carolina Hurricanes | Red Deer Rebels (WHL) |
| 26 | Martin Vagner (D) | Czech Republic | Dallas Stars (from Philadelphia via Washington) | Hull Olympiques (QMJHL) |
| 27 | Mike Morris | United States | San Jose Sharks | Saint Sebastian’s School (USHS–MA) |
| 28 | Jonas Johansson | Sweden | Colorado Avalanche | HV71 (Sweden) |
| 29 | Hannu Toivonen (G) | Finland | Boston Bruins | HPK (Finland) |
| 30 | Jim Slater | United States | Atlanta Thrashers (from Detroit via Buffalo and Columbus) | Michigan State University (Big Ten) |