The NHL Draft 1996 featured the Ottawa Senators selecting another defenceman Chris Phillips #1 overall. The 1996 NHL entry draft was pretty weak with no bonified stars being drafting in the first round.
Notable 1996 NHL draft picks are the New York Islanders selecting Zdeno Chara at #56 draft spot and the Toronto Maple Leafs stealing Tomas Kaberle in round 8 at #204 overall.
NHL Draft 1996 Round 1 Results
| Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | NHL team | College/junior/club team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chris Phillips | Defense | Canada | Ottawa Senators | Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) |
| 2 | Andrei Zyuzin | Defense | Russia | San Jose Sharks | Salavat Yulaev Ufa (Russia) |
| 3 | Jean-Pierre Dumont | Right Wing | Canada | New York Islanders | Val-d'Or Foreurs (QMJHL) |
| 4 | Alexander Volchkov | Left Wing | Russia | Washington Capitals (from Los Angeles) | Barrie Colts (OHL) |
| 5 | Ric Jackman | Defense | Canada | Dallas Stars | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) |
| 6 | Boyd Devereaux | Center | Canada | Edmonton Oilers | Kitchener Rangers (OHL) |
| 7 | Erik Rasmussen | Center | United States | Buffalo Sabres | University of Minnesota (WCHA) |
| 8 | Johnathan Aitken | Defense | Canada | Boston Bruins (from Hartford) | Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) |
| 9 | Ruslan Salei | Defense | Belarus | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim | Las Vegas Thunder (IHL) |
| 10 | Lance Ward | Defense | Canada | New Jersey Devils | Red Deer Rebels (WHL) |
| 11 | Dan Focht | Defense | Canada | Phoenix Coyotes | Tri-City Americans (WHL) |
| 12 | Josh Holden | Center | Canada | Vancouver Canucks | Regina Pats (WHL) |
| 13 | Derek Morris | Defense | Canada | Calgary Flames | Regina Pats (WHL) |
| 14 | Marty Reasoner | Center | United States | St. Louis Blues (from St. Louis via Edmonton) | Boston College (Hockey East) |
| 15 | Dainius Zubrus | Right Wing | Lithuania | Philadelphia Flyers (from Toronto) | Pembroke Lumber Kings (COJHL) |
| 16 | Mario Larocque | Defense | Canada | Tampa Bay Lightning | Hull Olympiques (QMJHL) |
| 17 | Jaroslav Svejkovsky | Right Wing | Czech Republic | Washington Capitals | Tri-City Americans (WHL) |
| 18 | Matt Higgins | Center | Canada | Montreal Canadiens | Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL) |
| 19 | Matthieu Descoteaux | Defense | Canada | Edmonton Oilers (from Boston) | Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL) |
| 20 | Marcus Nilson | Left Wing | Sweden | Florida Panthers | Djurgardens IF (Sweden) |
| 21 | Marco Sturm | Left Wing | Germany | San Jose Sharks (from Chicago) | Landshut EV (Germany) |
| 22 | Jeff Brown | Defense | Canada | New York Rangers | Sarnia Sting (OHL) |
| 23 | Craig Hillier | Goaltender | Canada | Pittsburgh Penguins | Ottawa 67's (OHL) |
| 24 | Daniel Briere | Center | Canada | Phoenix Coyotes (from Philadelphia via San Jose and Buffalo) | Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL) |
| 25 | Peter Ratchuk | Defense | United States | Colorado Avalanche | Shattuck-Saint Mary's (USHS–MN) |
| 26 | Jesse Wallin | Defense | Canada | Detroit Red Wings | Red Deer Rebels (WHL) |