COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – The Boston Bruins drafted center Zach Hamill with the eighth pick in Friday’s first round of the NHL draft.

Hamill, 18, scored 93 points in 63 games this past season for the Western Hockey League Everett Silvertips, including 31 goals and 62 assists. In 12 playoff games, he had 10 points.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound righthander from British Colombia began playing for the Silvertips in 2003.

The pick is Boston’s first under new coach Claude Julien, named to the post on Thursday to replace Dave Lewis, removed by general manager Peter Chiarelli a week ago.

Julien, who has coached the New Jersey Devils and Montreal Canadiens, also was a junior hockey coach for four seasons and an AHL coach for three.

Chiarelli said Julien’s experience with young players was a major factor in his hiring.

“Claude has a track record of using these (young) guys and them prospering and developing,” Chiarelli said.

AP-ES-06-22-07 2140EDT