2014 NHL Draft: New Jersey Devils Draft Joey Dudek In Sixth Round

The only three certainties in life: death, taxes and New Jersey Devils president / GM Lou Lamoriello stockpiling Boston College Eagles. So it should come as no surprise that the Devils selected Kimball Union Academy forward and future Boston College Eagles Joey Dudek in the sixth round (152nd overall) in the 2014 NHL Draft.

#NJDevils select C Joey Dudek out of Kimball Union H.S. (N.H.) in the sixth round, 152nd overall.

— New Jersey Devils (@NHLDevils) June 28, 2014

Unfortunately, Eagles fans will have to wait another year before they see what Dudek can do, as he's set to join the program for the 2015-16 season. He'll spend a year honing his skills in Dubuque with the Fighting Saints of the USHL next season.

At 5-foot-11, 179 pounds, it sounds like Dudek is cut rom the same cloth as some of BC's other diminutive yet dynamic forwards. He's a gifted offensive player with elite-level skill and skating. He posted a 9-35--44 line in 25 games with KUA last season, captaining the prep school to the New England Small School Prep Championship. Dudek, who transferred to KUA from Pinkerton Academy, is coached by former Maine head coach Tim Whitehead.

Dudek recently sat down with the Valley News to talk about the areas in which he's trying to improve his game:

"Two main things I need to improve on is what everyone needs, staying in the gym and getting stronger and working to get quicker on the ice," said Dudek, a Boston College-bound senior who will play junior hockey next winter. "Each level is about development and getting faster. A personal thing for myself is probably shooting the puck more. I'm a little too selfless instead of selfish. It's good to mix it up."

Here's the reaction from SB Nation's New Jersey Devils blog, In Lou We Trust, on the selection:

As a sixth round pick, I'm actually pleased with this selection. The Devils finally take a chance on a prospect with offensive flash. He'll get to go to a great college environment. If things don't pan out, then it's not a big deal as it's only a sixth round selection.

Of course, Lamoriello, the longtime Providence coach, has stockpiled a great deal of Boston College talent in recent years. The Devils boast three former Boston College standouts -- Peter Harrold (2002-06), Stephen Gionta (2002-06) and Cory Schneider (2004-07) -- on the active roster. Joe Whitney (2007-11) currently plays in Albany for the Devils' AHL affiliate, while the Great Santini was a second-round draft pick of the Devils in last year's NHL Draft. Former Eagles Bill Guerin (1989), David Emma (1989), Scott Clemmensen (1997), Brian Gionta (1998) and Justin Dziama (1999) have also been drafted by the Devils organization in recent years.

Congrats, @JoeyDu15.