The Bismarck Bobcats traded up in the 2017 NAHL draft to select Eric Otto with No. 1 overall pick.
Otto is 6-foot-1 and a forward from Burnsville, Minnesota.
Bismarck also had five other picks in Tuesday’s draft.
General Manager Layne Sedevie stopped short of saying Otto was a franchise player, but believes strongly he can make an impact.
“You draft a guy because you know that he can come in and be an impact player,” Sedevie said. “When you look at your first overall pick or first round player. I think it’s that type of player.”
Otto is currently playing in the United State Hockey League.
The three-day rookie camp for all the draftees and tenders is July 21.
