Minnesota and WCHA players selected on Day #2 of the Draft:
Rocco Grimaldi (UND recruit) 33rd overall to Florida
Scott Mayfield (Denver recruit) 34th overall to the NY Islanders
Mario Lucia (Wayzata HS) 60th overall to the Wild
Steven Forgarty (Edina HS) 72nd overall to the NY Rangers
Nick Shore (Denver) 82nd overall to the LA Kings
Andy Welinski (UMD recruit) 83rd overall to Anaheim
Kyle Rau (Eden Prairie HS) 91st overall to Florida
Dillion Simpson (UND) 92nd overall to Edmonton
Josiah Didier (Denver recruit) 97th overall to Montreal
Mike Reilly (Shattuck, Gopher recruit) 98th overall to Columbus
Joseph Labate (Holy Angels, Wisconsin recruit) 101st overall to Vancouver
Michael Mersch (Wisconsin) 110th overall to the LA Kings
Seth Ambroz (Gopher recruit) 128th overall to Columbus
Tony Cameranesi (Wayzata HS, UMD recruit) 130th overall to Toronto
Nick Seeler (Eden Prairie HS) 131st overall to the Wild
Edward Wittchow (Burnsville HS, CC recruit) 154th overall to Florida
Josh Archibald (UNO recruit) 174th overall to Pittsburgh
Travis Boyd (Gopher recruit) 177th overall to Washington
Adam Wilcox (S St. Paul HS, Gopher recruit) 178th overall to Tampa Bay
Aaron Harstad (CC recruit) 187th overall to Winnipeg
Patrick Daly (Benilde-St. Margret's, Wisconsin recruit) 189th overall to New Jersey
Zac Larraza (Denver recruit) 196th overall to Phoenix
Brad Navin (Wisconsin recruit) 197th overall to Buffalo
Alex Broadhurst (UNO recruit) 199th overall to Chicago
Max Everson (Eden Prairie HS) 203rd overall to Toronto
-Andy Sorensen, CHW Blogger
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Andy Sorensen's Mock 1st Round
With the hockey world centering on St. Paul and the Xcel Energy Center for the second time in three months, I put together my mock draft of the first round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft to be held Friday night at the X. One of my favorite parts of being a college hockey blogger is having the opportunity to see the future of the NHL right before my eyes, and that the WCHA is no exception to showcasing such great talent even with a lack of draft-eligible prospects in the league this season. Without further ado, let's get to the draft:
- Edmonton Oilers Ryan-Nugent Hopkins C Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
Andy's Analysis: The Oilers figuratively kill two birds with one stone: They not only get the best player available in RNH, but he also comes in a position of need at center. As any good coach will tell you, the center is the quarterback of your forward lines, and Nugent-Hopkins’ 75 assists in the WHL last season shows he is what the pairing of Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle need in Edmonton.
2. Colorado Avalanche Gabriel Landeskog LW Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
Andy's Analysis: You may be asking yourself, “Andy, why do the Avs take Landeskog with Larsson sitting on the board?”. Simple, with the Avs loaded on defense making a Larsson pick I wouldn’t say obsolete, but not needed. The Landeskog pick is a need pick, the Avs need help on the left side of the ice desperately, and the Swede is the answer to their problem. Will he be the next Peter Forsberg? Only time will tell.
- Florida Panthers Adam Larsson D Skelleftea (Sweden)
Andy's Analysis: The Swedes go two-three in the draft with the selection of Larsson. Much like the Avalanche, they’re chockfull on defense, but the Panthers have the luxury with no real holes to fill so they scoop up Larsson up at three.
- Winnipeg Jonathan Huberdeau C Saint John’s Sea Dogs (QMJHL), via NJ
Andy's Analysis: With the Devils not seeing what they need in a defenseman at 4th overall, they swap places with Winnipeg, and boy does it pay off for both teams. In Huberdeau, Winnipeg picks up a player who was key in the Sea Dogs’ Memorial Cup win, acquiring the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy, awarded to the MVP of the Memorial Cup. Even though he was selected fifth overall in the KHL Entry Draft, Manitobans have nothing to worry about as Huberdeau has no plans to report to his Russian team. Did I mention they need help at center?
5. NY Islanders Sean Couturier C Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
Andy's Analysis: The Islanders are an organization who can’t seem to score goals. They hope Couturier, with his 36 goals in the Q last season and the fact he was the only draft-eligible player to represent the Canadians at the World Juniors in Buffalo this past winter will help change things.
6. Ottawa Senators Ryan Strome C Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
Andy's Analysis: The Senators look to a player who could possibly be groomed to be the replacement for longtime Senator Captain Daniel Alfredsson. Strome does have a strong work ethic, and while some scouts already call him NHL-ready, Strome still has room to grow.
7. New Jersey Devils Ryan Murphy D Kitchener Rangers (OHL), via WIN
Andy's Analysis: When Don Cherry, the popular yet controversial host of “Coach’s Corner” on Hockey Night in Canada came out at the beginning of the season and declared Murphy to be the #1 overall pick, many took notice of Murphy’s play. However, two things beyond his control hurt him: 1) his height and 2) the fact that this draft class is so deep. What Murphy lacks in size more than makes up for in his offensive play and should do well in New Jersey.
8. Philadelphia Flyers Dougie Hamilton D Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
Andy's Analysis: The blockbuster trade between Columbus and Philadelphia changes nothing for this pick, as the Flyers are in need of a defenseman. Flyer fans will be taught how to Dougie (bad music pun of the post out of the way) when they see Hamilton’s comprehensive game. Hamilton is known one minute be checking a player into the boards and the next to be helping his teammates on the other side of the net score a goal.
9. Boston Bruins Nathan Beaulieu D Saint John’s Sea Dogs (QMHJL), via TOR
Andy's Analysis: The third of three Canadian junior defensemen to go in a row, Beaulieu is no slouch. The Stanley Cup champs pick up a player, who like Huberdeau, benefitted from a strong Memorial Cup play. Beaulieu’s strength is being a very good passer, as his 33 assists in the regular season and 13 more in the post-season show.
10. Minnesota Wild Mika Zibanejad C Djurgardens (Sweden)
Andy's Analysis: The Wild do go to Scandinavia to get their draft pick, but it isn’t to Finland as many predict with the Armia pick. Instead they head west to Sweden and draft Zibanejad, a tough physical offensive center who will thrive under new coach Mike Yeo’s new system.
11. Colorado Avalanche Sven Baertschi LW Portland Winterhawks (WHL), via STL
12. Carolina Hurricanes Duncan Siemens D Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
13. Calgary Flames Mark McNeill C Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
14. Dallas Stars Brandon Saad LW Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
15. NY Rangers Jamieson Oleksiak D Northeastern (Hockey East)
16. Buffalo Sabres Jonas Brodin D Farjestad (Sweden)
17. Montreal Canadiens Ty Rattie RW Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
18. Chicago Blackhawks Mark Scheifele C Saint John’s Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
19. Edmonton Oilers Matt Puempel LW Peterborough Petes (OHL)
20. Phoenix Coyotes Boone Jenner C Oshawa Generals (OHL)
21. Ottawa Generals Nicklas Jensen LW Oshawa Generals (OHL)
22. Anaheim Ducks Oscar Klefblom D Farjestad Jr. (Sweden)
23. Pittsburgh Penguins Tyler Biggs RW US U-18 (USHL)
24. Detroit Red Wings Joel Armia RW Assat (Finland)
25. Toronto Maple Leafs Thomas Jurco RW Saint John’s Sea Dogs (QMJHL), via Phi
26. Washington Capitals Alexander Khokalev C London Knights (OHL)
27. Tampa Bay Lightning Joseph Morrow D Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
28. San Jose Sharks Zack Phillips C Saint John’s Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
29. Vancouver Canucks Dmitri Jaskin RW Slavia Jr. (Czech Republic)
30. Toronto Maple Leafs Rocco Grimaldi C US U-18 (USHL), via Bos
-Andy Sorensen, CHW Blogger
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