Five Forwards to Watch at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft
Ethan Werek of the Kingston Frontenacs is one of five Canadian Hockey League forwards that competed at the 2009 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game that are ranked in the second and third rounds by NHL Central Scouting leading into the 2009 NHL Entry Draft that begins Friday June 26, 2009, at 7:00 pm in Montreal, Quebec.
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Ethan Werek – Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
Hometown: Goodwood, ON
D.O.B: June 7, 1991
Ht: 6’1 Wt: 191 Shoots: L
Rank: 32
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Ethan Werek scored 32 goals and 32 assists for 64 points 66 games to finish second on the Frontenacs in scoring and fifth overall in OHL rookie scoring and second in goals scored. He finished the season with 20 multi-point games including five of the last six games of the season. He was Kingston’s nominee for Top College or University Academic Player of the Year. Werek played in the 2009 Subway OHL All-Star Classic representing the Frontenacs. He won a gold medal at the 2008 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge with Team Ontario.
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Click here to view a complete NHL Prospect Profile for Ethan Werek
Ryan O’Reilly – Erie Otters (OHL)
Hometown: Varna, ON
D.O.B: February 7, 1991
Ht: 6’0 Wt: 200 Shoots: L
Rank: 39
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Ryan O’Reilly scored 16 goals and 50 assists for 66 points in 68 games to finish tied for the Otters lead in scoring with 17 multi-point games. He also added five assists in five playoff games in the club’s first playoff appearance since 2005. He was named the Best Penalty Killer, second Best on Face-offs, and third Best Playmaker in the OHL’s Western Conference as determined by league coaches. He captained the 2009 Canadian Under-18 National Team and also competed at the 2009 Subway OHL All-Star Classic and the 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge. He won a gold medal with Canada at the 2008 World Under-18’s and with Team Ontario at the 2008 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
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Click here for a complete NHL Prospect Profile for Ryan O’Reilly
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Alex Hutchings – Barrie Colts (OHL)
Hometown: Burlington, ON
D.O.B: November 7, 1990
Ht: 5’10 Wt: 173 Shoots: R
Rank: 44
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Alex Hutchings scored Colts team highs in both goals and assists with 34 of each for 68 points in 63 games. The third-year forward also led the team in scoring last season and has competed as an Eastern Conference All-Star the last two seasons. He recorded 16 multi-point games and was considered the third Best Skater in the OHL’s Eastern Conference as determined by league coaches.
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Click here for a complete NHL Prospect Profile for Alex Hutchings
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Jimmy Bubnick – Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
Hometown: Saskatoon, SK
D.O.B: January 19, 1991
Ht: 6’2 Wt: 194 Shoots: R
Rank: 55
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Jimmy Bubnick scored 25 goals and 32 assists for 57 points in 72 games for the Blazers this season, good for fifth overall on the club. He had 13 multi-point games and a 10-game point-scoring streak this season. Bubnick won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2008 Under-18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and also won a bronze medal with Team West at the 2008 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. He also represented his home province of Saskatchewan at the 2007 Canada Winter Games.
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Click here for a complete NHL Prospect Profile for Jimmy Bubnick
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David Gilbert – Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
Hometown: Châteauguay, QC
D.O.B: February 9, 1991
Ht: 6’2 Wt: 176 Shoots: L
Rank: 74
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David Gilbert scored 11 goals and 32 assists for 43 points in 67 games for the Remparts this season, adding six goals and two assists for eight points in 17 playoff games. He was originally taken sixth overall by Halifax at the 2007 QMJHL Entry Draft.
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Click here for a complete NHL Prospect Profile for David Gilbert
Photo of Ethan Werek by Aaron Bell/CHL