The Minnesota Wild have selected defenseman Mathew Dumba with their first-round pick in the NHL draft.

Dumba went seventh overall on Friday night. Dumba, 17, played the last two seasons for the Red Deer Rebels in Alberta of the Western Hockey League.

A hard-hitter with a big shot and plenty of offensive skill, Dumba was also the captain for Team Canada at the Under-18 World Championships earlier this year, leading the entire tournament in scoring by tallying five goals and seven assists in seven games.

The 6-foot, 183-pound Dumba is a native of Regina, Saskatchewan. He was ranked as the 11th-best North American skater by the NHL Central Scouting Service.

Eight of the first 10 picks in the NHL draft this year were defensemen.

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