1980–81 Montreal Canadiens season
Round # Player Nationality College/junior/club team
1 1 Doug Wickenheiser Canada Regina Pats ( WHL )
2 27 Ric Nattress Canada Brantford Alexanders ( OHA )
2 40 John Chabot Canada Hull Olympiques ( QMJHL )
3 45 John Newberry Canada Nanaimo Clippers ( BCJHL )
3 61 Craig Ludwig United States University of North Dakota ( NCAA )
4 82 Jeff Teal United States University of Minnesota ( WCHA )
5 103 Remi Gagne Canada Chicoutimi Sagueneens ( QMJHL )
6 124 Mike McPhee Canada Rennssaeler Polytechnic Institute ( ECAC )
7 145 Bill Norton United States Clarkson University ( ECAC )
8 166 Steve Penney Canada Shawinigan Cataractes ( QMJHL )
9 187 John Schmidt United States University of Notre Dame ( WCHA )
10 208 Scott Robinson Canada University of Denver ( WCHA )
Draft picks
The 1980 NHL Entry Draft was hosted at the Montreal Forum . It would mark the first time that an NHL Arena hosted the event . [ 8 ]
The 1980-81 Montreal Canadiens season was the club's 72nd season of play. The Canadiens lost just once in their last twenty-seven home games. The Canadiens would earn at least 100 regular season points for the seventh consecutive season. Montreal qualified for the playoffs and were eliminated in the NHL's Preliminary round by the Edmonton Oilers three games to none. Four days after the Canadiens were eliminated, head coach Claude Ruel resigned.