This is a year-by-year listing of the first overall draft picks in the NHL Entry Draft.
- 2003 - Marc-Andre Fleury selected by Pittsburgh Penguins
- 2002 - Rick Nash selected by Columbus Blue Jackets
- 2001 - Ilya Kovalchuk selected by Atlanta Thrashers
- 2000 - Rick DiPietro selected by New York Islanders
- 1999 - Patrik Stefan selected by Atlanta Thrashers
- 1998 - Vincent Lecavalier selected by Tampa Bay Lightning
- 1997 - Joe Thornton selected by Boston Bruins
- 1996 - Chris Phillips selected by Ottawa Senators
- 1995 - Bryan Berard selected by Ottawa Senators
- 1994 - Ed Jovanovski selected by Florida Panthers
- 1993 - Alexandre Daigle selected by Ottawa Senators
- 1992 - Roman Hamrlik selected by Tampa Bay Lightning
- 1991 - Eric Lindros selected by Quebec Nordiques
- 1990 - Owen Nolan selected by Quebec Nordiques
- 1989 - Mats Sundin selected by Quebec Nordiques
- 1988 - Mike Modano selected by Minnesota North Stars
- 1987 - Pierre Turgeon selected by Buffalo Sabres
- 1986 - Joe Murphy selected by Detroit Red Wings
- 1985 - Wendel Clark selected by Toronto Maple Leafs
- 1984 - Mario Lemieux selected by Pittsburgh Penguins
- 1983 - Brian Lawton selected by Minnesota North Stars
- 1982 - Gord Kluzak selected by Boston Bruins
- 1981 - Dale Hawerchuk selected by Winnipeg Jets
- 1980 - Doug Wickenheiser selected by Montreal Canadiens
- 1979 - Rob Ramage selected by Colorado Rockies
- 1978 - Bobby Smith selected by Minnesota North Stars
- 1977 - Dale McCourt selected by Detroit Red Wings
- 1976 - Rick Green selected by Washington Capitals
- 1975 - Mel Bridgman selected by Philadelphia Flyers
- 1974 - Greg Joly selected by Washington Capitals
- 1973 - Denis Potvin selected by New York Islanders
- 1972 - Bill Harris selected by New York Islanders
- 1971 - Guy Lafleur selected by Montreal Canadiens
- 1970 - Gilbert Perreault selected by Buffalo Sabres
- 1969 - Rejean Houle selected by Montreal Canadiens
- 1968 - Michel Plasse selected by Montreal Canadiens
- 1967 - Rick Pagnutti selected by Los Angeles Kings
- 1966 - Barry Gibbs selected by Boston Bruins
- 1965 - Andre Veillieux selected by New York Rangers
- 1964 - Claude Gauthier selected by Detroit Red Wings
- 1963 - Garry Monahan selected by Montreal Canadiens
