The 1987 NHL entry draft was the 25th NHL entry draft. It was held at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan, and was the first draft held in the United States. The National Hockey League (NHL) teams selected 252 players eligible for entry into professional ranks, in the reverse order of the 1986–87 NHL season and playoff standings. The last active player in the NHL from this draft class was Mathieu Schneider, who retired after the 2009–10 season.

Selections by round

Below are listed the selections in the 1987 NHL entry draft. Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise noted.

Round one

Round two

Round three

Round four

Round five

Round six

Round seven

Seventh round pick Tod Hartje would become the first North American trained player to play professional hockey in the Soviet Union.

Round eight

Round nine

Round ten

Round eleven

Round twelve

Draftees based on nationality