Wasn't Al Karlander the first college player drafted in the NHL?
Karlander was indeed the first player on a college roster to be selected (2nd round 17th overall by Detroit). Ken Dryden was drafted in 1964, but that was 2 years prior to his debut at Cornell. Herb, like Karlander, was also selected by the Wings in the 2nd round and 17th overall, this time in 1968. He was the first US born college player selected, and the third NCAA player ever, after Karlander & North Dakota's John Marks, who went 8 picks ahead of Boxer in '68.