# 1981 NHL entry draft

The 1981 NHL entry draft was the 19th NHL entry draft. It was held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec. The National Hockey League (NHL) teams selected 211 players eligible for entry into professional ranks, in the reverse order of the 1980–81 NHL season and playoff standings. This is the list of those players selected.
The last active player in the NHL from this draft class was Chris Chelios, who retired after the 2009–10 season.

## Selections by round

Below are listed the selections in the 1981 NHL entry draft. Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise noted.
| = NHL All-Star team · | = NHL All-Star · | = NHL All-Star and NHL All-Star team · | = Hall of Famers |

### Round one

| # | Player | Nationality | NHL team | College/junior/club team |
| 1 | Dale Hawerchuk (C) | Canada | Winnipeg Jets | Cornwall Royals (QMJHL) |
| 2 | Doug Smith (C) | Canada | Los Angeles Kings (from Detroit) | Ottawa 67's (OMJHL) |
| 3 | Bobby Carpenter (C) | United States | Washington Capitals (from Colorado) | St. John's School (USHS-MA) |
| 4 | Ron Francis (C) | Canada | Hartford Whalers | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OMJHL) |
| 5 | Joe Cirella (D) | Canada | Colorado Rockies (from Washington) | Oshawa Generals (OMJHL) |
| 6 | Jim Benning (D) | Canada | Toronto Maple Leafs | Portland Winter Hawks (WHL) |
| 7 | Mark Hunter (RW) | Canada | Montreal Canadiens (from Pittsburgh) | Brantford Alexanders (OMJHL) |
| 8 | Grant Fuhr (G) | Canada | Edmonton Oilers | Victoria Cougars (WHL) |
| 9 | James Patrick (D) | Canada | New York Rangers | Prince Albert Raiders (SJHL) |
| 10 | Garth Butcher (D) | Canada | Vancouver Canucks | Regina Pats (WHL) |
| 11 | Randy Moller (D) | Canada | Quebec Nordiques | Lethbridge Broncos (WHL) |
| 12 | Tony Tanti (RW) | Canada | Chicago Black Hawks | Oshawa Generals (OMJHL) |
| 13 | Ron Meighan (D) | Canada | Minnesota North Stars | Niagara Falls Flyers (OMJHL) |
| 14 | Normand Leveille (LW) | Canada | Boston Bruins | Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL) |
| 15 | Al MacInnis (D) | Canada | Calgary Flames | Kitchener Rangers (OMJHL) |
| 16 | Steve Smith (D) | Canada | Philadelphia Flyers | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OMJHL) |
| 17 | Jiri Dudacek (RW) | Czechoslovakia | Buffalo Sabres | HC Kladno (Czechoslovakia) |
| 18 | Gilbert Delorme (D) | Canada | Montreal Canadiens (from Los Angeles) | Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL) |
| 19 | Jan Ingman (LW) | Sweden | Montreal Canadiens | Färjestad BK (Sweden) |
| 20 | Marty Ruff (D) | Canada | St. Louis Blues | Lethbridge Broncos (WHL) |
| 21 | Paul Boutilier (D) | Canada | New York Islanders | Sherbrooke Castors (QMJHL) |

#### Notes (Round 1)

1.* The Detroit Red Wings' first round pick went to the Los Angeles Kings as the result of a trade on August 22, 1979 that sent the right to Dale McCourt to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for Andre St. Laurent, 1st round pick in 1980 NHL Entry Draft and Kings' option of a 2nd round pick in 1980 NHL Entry Draft or 1st round pick in 1981 NHL Entry Draft. Kings optioned for this pick.
2.* The Colorado Rockies' first round pick went to the Washington Capitals as the result of a trade on June 10, 1981 that sent the 5th overall pick and 26th overall pick to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for the 45th overall pick and this pick.
3.* The Washington Capitals' first round pick went to the Colorado Rockies as the result of a trade on June 10, 1981 that sent the 3rd overall pick and the 45th overall pick to the Washington Capitals in exchange for 26th overall pick and this pick.
4.* The Pittsburgh Penguins' first round pick went to the Montreal Canadiens as the result of a trade on October 18, 1978 that sent Rod Schutt to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for this pick.
5.* The Los Angeles Kings' first round pick went to the Montreal Canadiens as the result of a trade on October 5, 1978 that sent Murray Wilson and the 1st round pick in 1979 to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for this pick.

### Round two

| # | Player | Nationality | NHL team | College/junior/club team |
| 22 | Scott Arniel (C) | Canada | Winnipeg Jets | Cornwall Royals (QMJHL) |
| 23 | Claude Loiselle (C) | Canada | Detroit Red Wings | Windsor Spitfires (OMJHL) |
| 24 | Gary Yaremchuk (C) | Canada | Toronto Maple Leafs (from Colorado) | Portland Winter Hawks (WHL) |
| 25 | Kevin Griffin (LW) | Canada | Chicago Black Hawks (from Hartford) | Portland Winter Hawks (WHL) |
| 26 | Rich Chernomaz (RW) | Canada | Colorado Rockies (from Washington) | Victoria Cougars (WHL) |
| 27 | Dave Donnelly (C) | Canada | Minnesota North Stars (from Toronto) | St. Albert Saints (AJHL) |
| 28 | Steve Gatzos (RW) | Canada | Pittsburgh Penguins | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OMJHL) |
| 29 | Todd Strueby (LW) | Canada | Edmonton Oilers | Regina Pats (WHL) |
| 30 | Jan Erixon (LW) | Sweden | New York Rangers | Skellefteå AIK (Sweden) |
| 31 | Mike Sands (G) | Canada | Minnesota North Stars (from Vancouver) | Sudbury Wolves (OMJHL) |
| 32 | Lars Eriksson (G) | Sweden | Montreal Canadiens (from Quebec) | Brynäs IF (Sweden) |
| 33 | Tom Hirsch (D) | United States | Minnesota North Stars (from Chicago) | Patrick Henry High School (USHS-MN) |
| 34 | Dave Preuss (RW) | United States | Minnesota North Stars | St. Thomas Academy (USHS-MN) |
| 35 | Luc Dufour (LW) | Canada | Boston Bruins | Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL) |
| 36 | Hakan Nordin (D) | Sweden | St. Louis Blues (from Calgary) | Färjestad BK (Sweden) |
| 37 | Rich Costello (C) | United States | Philadelphia Flyers | Nantick High School (USHS-MA) |
| 38 | Hannu Virta (D) | Finland | Buffalo Sabres | TPS (Finland) |
| 39 | Dean Kennedy (D) | Canada | Los Angeles Kings | Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) |
| 40 | Chris Chelios (D) | United States | Montreal Canadiens | Moose Jaw Canucks (SJHL) |
| 41 | Jali Wahlsten (C) | Finland | Minnesota North Stars (from St. Louis) | TPS (Finland) |
| 42 | Gord Dineen (D) | Canada | New York Islanders | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OMJHL) |

#### Notes (Round 2)

1.* The Colorado Rockies' second round pick went to the Toronto Maple Leafs as the result of a trade on October 19, 1978 that sent Jack Valiquette to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for this pick.
2.* The Hartford Whalers' second round pick went to the Chicago Black Hawks as the result of a trade on June 19, 1980 that sent Mike Veisor to the Hartford Whalers in exchange for this pick.
3.* The Washington Capitals' second round pick went to the Colorado Rockies as the result of a trade on June 10, 1981 that sent the 3rd overall pick and the 45th overall pick to the Washington Capitals in exchange for 5th overall pick and this pick.
4.* The Toronto Maple Leafs' second round pick went to the Minnesota North Stars as the result of a trade on March 10, 1981 that sent Ron Zanussi and the 55th overall pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for this pick.
5.* The Vancouver Canucks' second round pick went to the Minnesota North Stars as the result of a trade on December 10, 1979 that sent Olov Brasar to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for this pick.
6.* The Quebec Nordiques' second round pick went to the Montreal Canadiens as the result of a trade on June 9, 1979 that Quebec Nordiques promise to take Dan Geoffrion and/or Alain Cote, rather than Marc Tardif and/or Richard David in 1979 NHL Expansion Draft in exchange for the third round pick in 1980 and this pick.
7.* The Chicago Black Hawks' second round pick went to the Minnesota North Stars as the result of a trade on December 29, 1980 that sent Glen Sharpley to the Chicago Black Hawks in exchange for Ken Solheim and this pick.
8.* The Calgary Flames' second round pick went to the St. Louis Blues as the result of a trade on October 10, 1979 that sent Garry Unger to the Atlanta Flames in exchange for Ed Kea, Don Laurence, and this pick. The Atlanta franchise relocated to Calgary for the 1980-81 NHL season.
9.* The St. Louis Blues' second round pick went to the Minnesota North Stars as the result of a trade on June 15, 1978 that sent Bob Stewart and future considerations (Harvey Bennett) to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for this pick.

### Round three

| # | Player | Nationality | NHL team | College/junior/club team |
| 43 | Jyrki Seppa (D) | Finland | Winnipeg Jets | Ilves (Finland) |
| 44 | Corrado Micalef (G) | Canada | Detroit Red Wings | Sherbrooke Castors (QMJHL) |
| 45 | Eric Calder (D) | Canada | Washington Capitals (from Colorado) | Cornwall Royals (QMJHL) |
| 46 | Dieter Hegen (C) | West Germany | Montreal Canadiens (from Hartford) | EVS Kaufbeuren (West Germany) |
| 47 | Barry Tabobondung (LW) | Canada | Philadelphia Flyers (from Washington) | Oshawa Generals (OMJHL) |
| 48 | Uli Hiemer (D) | West Germany | Colorado Rockies (from Toronto) | EV Fussen (West Germany) |
| 49 | Tom Thornbury (D) | Canada | Pittsburgh Penguins | Niagara Falls Flyers (OMJHL) |
| 50 | Peter Sundstrom (LW) | Sweden | New York Rangers (from Edmonton) | IF Björklöven (Sweden) |
| 51 | Mark Morrison (C) | Canada | New York Rangers | Victoria Cougars (WHL) |
| 52 | Jean-Marc Lanthier (RW) | Canada | Vancouver Canucks | Sorel Eperviers (QMJHL) |
| 53 | Jean-Marc Gaulin (RW) | Canada | Quebec Nordiques | Sorel Eperviers (QMJHL) |
| 54 | Darrel Anholt (D) | Canada | Chicago Black Hawks | Calgary Wranglers (WHL) |
| 55 | Ernie Godden (C) | Canada | Toronto Maple Leafs (from Minnesota) | Windsor Spitfires (OMJHL) |
| 56 | Mike Vernon (G) | Canada | Calgary Flames (from Boston) | Calgary Wranglers (WHL) |
| 57 | Ron Handy (LW) | Canada | New York Islanders (from Calgary) | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OMJHL) |
| 58 | Ken Strong (LW) | Canada | Philadelphia Flyers | Peterborough Petes (OMJHL) |
| 59 | Jim Aldred (D) | Canada | Buffalo Sabres | Kingston Canadiens (OMJHL) |
| 60 | Colin Chisholm (D) | Canada | Buffalo Sabres (from Los Angeles) | Calgary Wranglers (WHL) |
| 61 | Paul MacDermid (RW) | Canada | Hartford Whalers (from Montreal) | Windsor Spitfires (OMJHL) |
| 62 | Gord Donnelly (D) | Canada | St. Louis Blues | Sherbrooke Castors (QMJHL) |
| 63 | Neal Coulter (RW) | Canada | New York Islanders | Toronto Marlboros (OMJHL) |

#### Notes (Round 3)

1.* The Colorado Rockies' third round pick went to the Washington Capitals as the result of a trade on June 10, 1981 that sent the 5th overall pick and the 26th overall pick to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for 3rd overall pick and this pick.
2.* The Hartford Whalers' third round pick went to the Montreal Canadiens as the result of a trade on June 5, 1980 that sent Rick Meagher, the 61st overall pick, and the 103rd overall pick to the Hartford Whalers in exchange for the 88th overall pick and this pick.
3.* The Washington Capitals' third round pick went to the Philadelphia Flyers as the result of a trade on August 16, 1979 that sent Wayne Stephenson to the Washington Capitals in exchange for this pick.
4.* The Toronto Maple Leafs' third round pick went to the Colorado Rockies as the result of a trade on June 30, 1981 that sent Rene Robert to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for this pick.
5.* The Edmonton Oilers' third round pick went to the New York Rangers as the result of a trade on March 11, 1980 that sent Don Murdoch to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Cam Connor and this pick.
6.* The Minnesota North Stars' third round pick went to the Toronto Maple Leafs as the result of a trade on March 10, 1981 that sent the 27th overall pick to the Minnesota North Stars in exchange for Ron Zanussi and this pick.
7.* The Boston Bruins' third round pick went to the Calgary Flames as the result of a trade on June 2, 1980 that sent Jim Craig to the Boston Bruins in exchange for the second round pick in 1980 and this pick.
8.* The Calgary Flames' third round pick went to the New York Islanders as the result of a trade on October 9, 1980 that sent Alex McKendry to the Calgary Flames in exchange for this pick.
9.* The Los Angeles Kings' third round pick went to the Buffalo Sabres as the result of a trade on March 10, 1981 that sent Rick Martin to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for the first round pick in 1983 and this pick.
10.* The Montreal Canadiens' third round pick went to the Hartford Whalers as the result of a trade on June 5, 1980 that sent the 46th overall pick and the 88th overall pick to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Rick Meagher, the 103rd overall pick, and this pick.

### Round four

| # | Player | Nationality | NHL team | College/junior/club team |
| 64 | Kirk McCaskill (C) | Canada | Winnipeg Jets | University of Vermont (ECAC) |
| 65 | Dave Michayluk (RW) | Canada | Philadelphia Flyers (from Detroit) | Regina Pats (WHL) |
| 66 | Gus Greco (C) | Canada | Colorado Rockies | Windsor Spitfires (OMJHL) |
| 67 | Mike Hoffman (LW) | Canada | Hartford Whalers | Brantford Alexanders (OMJHL) |
| 68 | Tony Kellin (D) | United States | Washington Capitals | Grand Rapids High School (USHS-MN) |
| 69 | Terry Tait (LW) | Canada | Minnesota North Stars (from Toronto) | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OMJHL) |
| 70 | Norm Schmidt (D) | Canada | Pittsburgh Penguins | Oshawa Generals (OMJHL) |
| 71 | Paul Houck (RW) | Canada | Edmonton Oilers | Kelowna Buckaroos (BCHL) |
| 72 | John Vanbiesbrouck (G) | United States | New York Rangers | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OMJHL) |
| 73 | Wendell Young (G) | Canada | Vancouver Canucks | Kitchener Rangers (OMJHL) |
| 74 | Clint Malarchuk (G) | Canada | Quebec Nordiques | Portland Winter Hawks (WHL) |
| 75 | Perry Pelensky (RW) | Canada | Chicago Black Hawks | Portland Winter Hawks (WHL) |
| 76 | Jim Malwitz (C) | United States | Minnesota North Stars | Grand Rapids High School (USHS-MN) |
| 77 | Scott McLellan (RW) | Canada | Boston Bruins | Niagara Falls Flyers (OMJHL) |
| 78 | Peter Madach (C) | Sweden | Calgary Flames | HV71 (Sweden) |
| 79 | Ken Latta (RW) | Canada | Philadelphia Flyers | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OMJHL) |
| 80 | Jeff Eatough (RW) | Canada | Buffalo Sabres | Cornwall Royals (QMJHL) |
| 81 | Marty Dallman (C) | Canada | Los Angeles Kings | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (ECAC) |
| 82 | Kjell Dahlin (RW) | Sweden | Montreal Canadiens | Timrå IK (Sweden) |
| 83 | Anders Wikberg (LW) | Sweden | Buffalo Sabres (from St. Louis) | Timra IK (Sweden) |
| 84 | Todd Lumbard (G) | Canada | New York Islanders | Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) |

#### Notes (Round 4)

1.* The Detroit Red Wings' fourth round pick went to the Philadelphia Flyers as the result of a trade on September 4, 1979 that sent Dennis Sobchuk to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for this pick. The trade was for a conditional 3rd-rd or 4th-rd pick in 1981 NHL Entry Draft. The condition of the pick is unknown.
2.* The Toronto Maple Leafs' fourth round pick went to the Minnesota North Stars as the result of a trade on June 14, 1978 that sent Paul Harrison to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for this pick.
3.* The St. Louis Blues' fourth round pick went to the Buffalo Sabres as the result of a trade on October 20, 1980 that sent Bill Stewart to the Washington Capitals in exchange for Bob Hess and this pick.

### Round five

| # | Player | Nationality | NHL team | College/junior/club team |
| 85 | Marc Behrend (G) | United States | Winnipeg Jets | University of Wisconsin (WCHA) |
| 86 | Larry Trader (D) | Canada | Detroit Red Wings | London Knights (OMJHL) |
| 87 | Doug Speck (D) | Canada | Colorado Rockies | Peterborough Petes (OMJHL) |
| 88 | Steve Rooney (LW) | United States | Montreal Canadiens (from Hartford) | [Canton High School (USHS-MA) |
| 89 | Mike Siltala (RW) | Canada | Washington Capitals | Kingston Canadians (OMJHL) |
| 90 | Normand Lefrancois (LW) | Canada | Toronto Maple Leafs | Trois-Rivières Draveurs (QMJHL) |
| 91 | Peter Sidorkiewicz (G) | Canada | Washington Capitals (from Pittsburgh) | Oshawa Generals (OMJHL) |
| 92 | Phil Drouillard (LW) | Canada | Edmonton Oilers | Niagara Falls Flyers (OMJHL) |
| 93 | Bill Maguire (D) | Canada | Hartford Whalers (from New York Rangers) | Niagara Falls Flyers (OMJHL) |
| 94 | Jacques Sylvestre (C) | Canada | New York Islanders (from Vancouver) | Sorel Eperviers (QMJHL) |
| 95 | Ed Lee (RW) | United States | Quebec Nordiques | Princeton University (ECAC) |
| 96 | Doug Chessell (G) | Canada | Chicago Black Hawks | London Knights (OMJHL) |
| 97 | Kelly Hubbard (D) | Canada | Minnesota North Stars | Portland Winter Hawks (WHL) |
| 98 | Joe Mantione (G) | Canada | Boston Bruins | Cornwall Royals (QMJHL) |
| 99 | Mario Simioni (RW) | Canada | Calgary Flames | Toronto Marlboros (OMJHL) |
| 100 | Justin Hanley (C) | Canada | Philadelphia Flyers | Kingston Canadians (OMJHL) |
| 101 | Mauri Eivola (C) | Finland | Buffalo Sabres | TPS (Finland) |
| 102 | Barry Brigley (C) | Canada | Toronto Maple Leafs (from Los Angeles) | Calgary Wranglers (WHL) |
| 103 | Dan Bourbonnais (LW) | Canada | Hartford Whalers (from Montreal) | Calgary Wranglers (WHL) |
| 104 | Mike Hickey (C) | Canada | St. Louis Blues | Sudbury Wolves (OMJHL) |
| 105 | Moe Lemay (LW) | Canada | Vancouver Canucks (from New York Islanders) | Ottawa 67's (OMJHL) |

#### Notes (Round 5)

1.* The Hartford Whalers' fifth round pick went to the Montreal Canadiens as the result of a trade on June 5, 1980 that sent Rick Meagher, the 61st overall pick, and the 103rd overall pick to the Hartford Whalers in exchange for the 46th overall pick and this pick.
2.* The Pittsburgh Penguins' fifth round pick went to the Washington Capitals as the result of a trade on January 2, 1981 that sent Gary Rissling to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for this pick.
3.* The New York Rangers' fifth round pick went to the Hartford Whalers as the result of a trade on January 15, 1981 that sent Nick Fotiu to the New York Rangers in exchange for this pick.
4.* The Vancouver Canucks' fifth round pick went to the New York Islanders as the result of a trade on October 6, 1980 that sent Richard Brodeur and the 105th overall pick to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for this pick.
5.* The Los Angeles Kings' fifth round pick went to the Toronto Maple Leafs as the result of a trade on March 10, 1981 that sent Jim Rutherford to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for this pick.
6.* The Montreal Canadiens' fifth round pick went to the Hartford Whalers as the result of a trade on June 5, 1980 that sent the 46th overall pick and the 88th overall pick to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Rick Meagher, the 61st overall pick, and this pick.
7.* The New York Islanders' fifth round pick went to the Vancouver Canucks as the result of a trade on October 6, 1980 that sent the 94th overall pick to the New York Islanders in exchange for Richard Brodeur and this pick.

### Round six

| # | Player | Nationality | NHL team | College/junior/club team |
| 106 | Bob O'Connor (G) | United States | Winnipeg Jets | Boston College (ECAC) |
| 107 | Gerard Gallant (LW) | Canada | Detroit Red Wings | Sherbrooke Castors (QMJHL) |
| 108 | Bruce Driver (D) | Canada | Colorado Rockies | University of Wisconsin (WCHA) |
| 109 | Paul Edwards (D) | Canada | Pittsburgh Penguins (from Hartford) | Oshawa Generals (OMJHL) |
| 110 | Jim McGeough (C) | Canada | Washington Capitals | Billings Bighorns (WHL) |
| 111 | Steve Smith (D) | Canada | Edmonton Oilers (from Toronto) | London Knights (OMJHL) |
| 112 | Rod Buskas (D) | Canada | Pittsburgh Penguins | Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) |
| 113 | Marc Habscheid (C) | Canada | Edmonton Oilers | Saskatoon Blades (WHL) |
| 114 | Eric Magnuson (C) | United States | New York Rangers | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (ECAC) |
| 115 | Stu Kulak (RW) | Canada | Vancouver Canucks | Victoria Cougars (WHL) |
| 116 | Mike Eagles (C) | Canada | Quebec Nordiques | Kitchener Rangers (OMJHL) |
| 117 | Bill Schafhauser (D) | United States | Chicago Black Hawks | Northern Michigan University (CCHA) |
| 118 | Paul Guay (RW) | United States | Minnesota North Stars | Mount Saint Charles Academy (USHS-RI) |
| 119 | Bruce Milton (D) | United States | Boston Bruins | Boston University (ECAC) |
| 120 | Todd Hooey (RW) | Canada | Calgary Flames | Windsor Spitfires (OMJHL) |
| 121 | Andre Villeneuve (D) | Canada | Philadelphia Flyers | Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL) |
| 122 | Ali Butorac (D) | Canada | Buffalo Sabres | Ottawa 67's (OMJHL) |
| 123 | Brad Thompson (D) | Canada | Los Angeles Kings | London Knights (OMJHL) |
| 124 | Tom Anastos (RW) | United States | Montreal Canadiens | Paddock Pool Saints (GLJHL) |
| 125 | Peter Aslin (G) | Sweden | St. Louis Blues | AIK (Sweden) |
| 126 | Chuck Brimmer (C) | Canada | New York Islanders | Kingston Canadiens (OMJHL) |

#### Notes (round 6)

1.* The Hartford Whalers' sixth round pick went to the Pittsburgh Penguins as the result of a trade on February 20, 1981, that sent Gilles Lupien to the Hartford Whalers in exchange for this pick.
2.* The Toronto Maple Leafs' sixth round pick went to the Edmonton Oilers as the result of a trade on August 22, 1979, that sent Reg Thomas to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for this pick.

### Round seven

| # | Player | Nationality | NHL team | College/junior/club team |
| 127 | Peter Nilsson (C) | Sweden | Winnipeg Jets | Hammarby IF (Sweden) |
| 128 | Greg Stefan (G) | Canada | Detroit Red Wings | Oshawa Generals (OMJHL) |
| 129 | Jeff Larmer (LW) | Canada | Colorado Rockies | Kitchener Rangers (OMJHL) |
| 130 | John Mokosak (D) | Canada | Hartford Whalers | Victoria Cougars (WHL) |
| 131 | Risto Jalo (C) | Finland | Washington Capitals | Ilves (Finland) |
| 132 | Andrew Wright (D) | Canada | Toronto Maple Leafs | Peterborough Petes (OMJHL) |
| 133 | Geoff Wilson (RW) | Canada | Pittsburgh Penguins | Winnipeg Warriors (WHL) |
| 134 | Craig Hurley (D) | Canada | Los Angeles Kings (from Edmonton) | Saskatoon Blades (WHL) |
| 135 | Mike Guentzel (D) | United States | New York Rangers | Greenway High School (USHS-MN) |
| 136 | Bruce Holloway (D) | Canada | Vancouver Canucks | Regina Pats (WHL) |
| 137 | Vladimir Svitek (RW) | Czechoslovakia | Philadelphia Flyers (from Quebec) | Košice (Czechoslovakia) |
| 138 | Marc Centrone (C) | Canada | Chicago Black Hawks | Lethbridge Broncos (WHL) |
| 139 | Jim Archibald (RW) | Canada | Minnesota North Stars | Moose Jaw Canucks (SJHL) |
| 140 | Mats Thelin (D) | Sweden | Boston Bruins | AIK (Sweden) |
| 141 | Rick Heppner (D) | United States | Calgary Flames | Mounds View High School (USHS-MN) |
| 142 | Gil Hudon (G) | Canada | Philadelphia Flyers | Prince Albert Raiders (SJHL) |
| 143 | Heikki Leime (D) | Finland | Buffalo Sabres | TPS (Finland) |
| 144 | Peter Sawkins (D) | United States | Los Angeles Kings | St. Paul Academy (USHS-MN) |
| 145 | Tom Kurvers (D) | United States | Montreal Canadiens | University of Minnesota Duluth (WCHA) |
| 146 | Erik Holmberg (C) | Sweden | St. Louis Blues | Södertälje SK (Sweden) |
| 147 | Teppo Virta (RW) | Finland | New York Islanders | TPS (Finland) |

#### Notes (Round 7)

1.* The Edmonton Oilers' seventh round pick went to the Los Angeles Kings as the result of a trade on March 10, 1981 that sent Garry Unger to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for this pick.
2.* The Quebec Nordiques' seventh round pick went to the Philadelphia Flyers as the result of a trade on September 15, 1980 that sent Andre Dupont to the Quebec Nordiques in exchange for this pick.

### Round eight

| # | Player | Nationality | NHL team | College/junior/club team |
| 148 | Dan McFall (D) | United States | Winnipeg Jets | Buffalo Jr. Sabres (NAJHL) |
| 149 | Rick Zombo (D) | United States | Detroit Red Wings | Austin Mavericks (USHL) |
| 150 | Tony Arima (LW) | Finland | Colorado Rockies | Jokerit (Finland) |
| 151 | Denis Dore (RW) | Canada | Hartford Whalers | Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL) |
| 152 | Gaetan Duchesne (LW) | Canada | Washington Capitals | Quebec Remparts (QMJHL) |
| 153 | Richard Turmel (D) | Canada | Toronto Maple Leafs | Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL) |
| 154 | Mitch Lamoureux (C) | Canada | Pittsburgh Penguins | Oshawa Generals (OMJHL) |
| 155 | Mike Sturgeon (D) | Canada | Edmonton Oilers | Kelowna Buckaroos (BCJHL) |
| 156 | Ari Lahteenmaki (RW) | Finland | New York Rangers | HIFK (Finland) |
| 157 | Petri Skriko (RW) | Finland | Vancouver Canucks | SaiPa (Finland) |
| 158 | Andre Cote (RW) | Canada | Quebec Nordiques | Quebec Remparts (QMJHL) |
| 159 | Johan Mellstrom (LW) | Sweden | Chicago Black Hawks | Falun (Sweden) |
| 160 | Kari Kanervo (C) | Finland | Minnesota North Stars | TPS (Finland) |
| 161 | Armel Parisee (D) | Canada | Boston Bruins | Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL) |
| 162 | Dale DeGray (D) | Canada | Calgary Flames | Oshawa Generals (OMJHL) |
| 163 | Steve Taylor (LW) | United States | Philadelphia Flyers | Providence College (ECAC) |
| 164 | Gates Orlando (C) | Canada | Buffalo Sabres | Providence College (ECAC) |
| 165 | Dan Brennan (LW) | Canada | Los Angeles Kings | University of North Dakota (WCHA) |
| 166 | Paul Gess (LW) | United States | Montreal Canadiens | Bloomington Jefferson High School (USHS-MN) |
| 167 | Alain Vigneault (D) | Canada | St. Louis Blues | Trois-Rivières Draveurs (QMJHL) |
| 168 | Bill Dowd (D) | Canada | New York Islanders | Ottawa 67's (OMJHL) |

### Round nine

| # | Player | Nationality | NHL team | College/junior/club team |
| 169 | Greg Dick (G) | United States | Winnipeg Jets | St. Mary's College (NCAA) |
| 170 | Don LeBlanc (LW) | Canada | Detroit Red Wings | Moncton Hawks (NBJHL) |
| 171 | Tim Army (C) | United States | Colorado Rockies | East Providence High School (USHS-RI) |
| 172 | Jeff Poeschl (G) | United States | Hartford Whalers | Northern Michigan University (CCHA) |
| 173 | George White (LW) | United States | Washington Capitals | University of New Hampshire (ECAC) |
| 174 | Greg Barber (D) | Canada | Toronto Maple Leafs | Victoria Cougars (WHL) |
| 175 | Dean DeFazio (LW) | Canada | Pittsburgh Penguins | Brantford Alexanders (OMJHL) |
| 176 | Miloslav Horava (D) | Czechoslovakia | Edmonton Oilers | Kladno (Czechoslovakia) |
| 177 | Paul Reifenberger (C) | United States | New York Rangers | Anoka High School (USHS-MN) |
| 178 | Frank Caprice (G) | Canada | Vancouver Canucks | London Knights (OMJHL) |
| 179 | Marc Brisebois (RW) | Canada | Quebec Nordiques | Sorel Eperviers (QMJHL) |
| 180 | John Benns (LW) | Canada | Chicago Black Hawks | Billings Bighorns (WHL) |
| 181 | Scott Bjugstad (C) | United States | Minnesota North Stars | University of Minnesota (WCHA) |
| 182 | Don Sylvestri (G) | Canada | Boston Bruins | Clarkson University (ECAC) |
| 183 | George Boudreau (D) | United States | Calgary Flames | Matignon High School (USHS-MA) |
| 184 | Len Hachborn (C) | Canada | Philadelphia Flyers | Brantford Alexanders(OMJHL) |
| 185 | Venci Sebek (D) | Canada | Buffalo Sabres | Niagara Falls Flyers (OMJHL) |
| 186 | Al Tuer (D) | Canada | Los Angeles Kings | Regina Pats (WHL) |
| 187 | Scott Ferguson (D) | United States | Montreal Canadiens | Edina West High School (USHS-MN) |
| 188 | Dan Wood (RW) | Canada | St. Louis Blues | Kingston Canadians (OMJHL) |
| 189 | Scott MacLellan (C) | Canada | New York Islanders | Burlington Cougars (CBJHL) |

### Round ten

| # | Player | Nationality | NHL team | College/junior/club team |
| 190 | Vladimir Kadlec (D) | Czechoslovakia | Winnipeg Jets | Vitkovice (Czechoslovakia) |
| 191 | Robert Nordmark (D) | Sweden | Detroit Red Wings | Frolunda (Sweden) |
| 192 | John Johannson (C) | United States | Colorado Rockies | University of Wisconsin (WCHA) |
| 193 | Larry Power (C) | Canada | Hartford Whalers | Kitchener Dutchmen (MWJBHL) |
| 194 | Chris Valentine (C) | Canada | Washington Capitals | Sorel Eperviers (QMJHL) |
| 195 | Marc Magnan (LW) | Canada | Toronto Maple Leafs | Lethbridge Broncos (WHL) |
| 196 | Dave Hannan (C) | Canada | Pittsburgh Penguins | Brantford Alexanders (OMJHL) |
| 197 | Gord Sherven (C) | Canada | Edmonton Oilers | Weyburn Red Wings (SJHL) |
| 198 | Mario Proulx (G) | Canada | New York Rangers | Providence College (ECAC) |
| 199 | Rejean Vignola (C) | Canada | Vancouver Canucks | Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL) |
| 200 | Kari Takko (G) | Finland | Quebec Nordiques | Ässät (Finland) |
| 201 | Sylvain Roy (D) | Canada | Chicago Black Hawks | Hull Olympiques (QMJHL) |
| 202 | Steve Kudebeh (G) | United States | Minnesota North Stars | Breck School (USHS-MN) |
| 203 | Richard Bourque (LW) | Canada | Boston Bruins | Sherbrooke Castors (QMJHL) |
| 204 | Bruce Eakin (C) | Canada | Calgary Flames | Saskatoon Blades (WHL) |
| 205 | Steve Tsujiura (C) | Canada | Philadelphia Flyers | Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) |
| 206 | Warren Harper (RW) | Canada | Buffalo Sabres | Prince Albert Raiders (SJHL) |
| 207 | Jeff Baikie (LW) | Canada | Los Angeles Kings | Cornell University (ECAC) |
| 208 | Dan Burrows (G) | Canada | Montreal Canadiens | Belleville Bulls (OPJHL) |
| 209 | Richard Zemlak (RW) | Canada | St. Louis Blues | Spokane Flyers (WHL) |
| 210 | Dave Randerson (RW) | Canada | New York Islanders | Stratford Cullitons (MWJBHL) |

### Round eleven

| # | Player | Nationality | NHL team | College/junior/club team |
| 211 | Dave Kirwin (D) | United States | Winnipeg Jets | Irondale High School (USHS-MN) |

#### Notes (Round 11)

1.* Bonus selection awarded from NHL as compensation for accepting move from the Smythe Division to the Norris Division for the 1981–82 NHL season
| = NHL All-Star · | = NHL All-Star and NHL All-Star team · | = Hall of Famers |

## Draftees based on nationality

| Rank | Country | Amount |
| | North America | 179 |
| 1 | Canada | 143 |
| 2 | United States | 36 |
| | Europe | 32 |
| 3 | Sweden | 14 |
| 4 | Finland | 12 |
| 5 | Czechoslovakia | 4 |
| 6 | West Germany | 2 |