With the 146th pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, the St. Louis Blues select goaltender LUKE OPILKA of the US National Team Development Program.
Born about 100 miles east of the Arch in Effingham, Illinois, the 6' 1, 192-pound Opilka played all of his minor hockey in the St. Louis area, culminating in a solid 2012-13 season (22 GP, 1.55 GAA, 92.7%) with the U16 AAA Junior Blues before moving up to the USNTDP. Former Blues great and special assignment scout Keith Tkachuk was one of Opilka's coaches in minor hockey, and has praised Opilka's character and dedication to the game.