It was a draft to assign unaffiliated amateur junior-age players to NHL teams.

The NHL also reached an agreement with the AHL, CHL and WHL, allowing their clubs to participate in the draft.

The general consensus on the part of each participatory club was that the talent pool from which to draft was exceptionally poor.

The majority of amateur players falling within the new age rules had already been sponsored, if not turned professional.

The pool of available player talent was considered so poor that the Toronto Maple Leafs elected not to participate whatsoever.