TheFourthPeriod.com

The World Hockey Association held its Entry Level Draft today, with 8 franchises selecting a total of 240 players. Rimouski Oceanic center Sidney Crosby, of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, was the first selection at the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The Toronto Toros selected the 16-year-old with the first-overall pick in the WHA Entry Draft. Crosby, who turned 17 on August 7, scored 54 goals and 81 assists for 135 points in 59 games during his rookie season with Rimouski.

Alexander Ovechkin, the first-overall pick this year's NHL Entry Draft, was drafted by Hamilton in the seventh round, 52nd overall.

The Halifax IceBreakers picked Buffalo Sabres prospect Thomas Vanek second-overall, the Detroit Gladiators chose defenseman Andre Benoit of the Ontario Hockey League's Kitchener Rangers third overall, and Hamilton took Montreal Canadiens prospect Corey Locke with the fourth pick in the draft.

The Toros then selected prospect Dion Phaneuf (Atlanta Thrashers) with the fifth pick (acquired from Dallas), the Quebec Nordiks took Steve Bernier (San Jose Sharks) sixth, Minnesota Wild prospect Patrick O'Sullivan was drafted seventh-overall by Florida, and the Founders' franchise selected defenseman Brent Seabrooke, a prospect with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Other notables include:

Toronto: Kevin Klein and Rob Schremp.

Halifax: Tim Brent and Matt Smaby.

Detroit: Robert Nilsson and Mark Stuart.

Hamilton: Ryan Suter, Andrei Kastsitsyn, Kamil Kreps and Jakub Klepis.

Dallas: Andrew Ladd, Boris Valabik, Cam Barker and Al Montoya.

Quebec: Lukas Kaspar, Alexandre Picard, Corey Crawford and Alexander Radulov.

Florida: Jeff Tambellini, Hugh Jessiman, Eric Nystrom and Anthony Stewart.

Founders' franchise: Eric Fehr, Braydon Coburn, Chris Bourque and Devan Dubnyk.

Meanwhile, the league is expected to introduce their eighth franchise this week. The "Founders' Franchise" is believed to be set in Vancouver.