CHL stars top NHL Draft rankings
If the NHL Central Scouting mid-term rankings are any indication, it looks like it will be another banner year at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft in June.
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Nine of the top 10 North American skaters in the ranking play in the CHL, including the top four prospects – Taylor Hall of the Windsor Spitfires, Tyler Seguin of the Plymouth Whalers, Cam Fowler of the Spitfires and Brett Connolly of the Prince George Cougars.
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Kingston Frontenacs’ defenceman Erik Gudbranson, Barrie Colts’ forward Alexander Burmistrov, Moncton Wildcats’ defender Brandon Gormley, Edmonton Oil Kings’ defenceman Mark Pysyk and Sudbury Wolves’ forward John McFarland were also in the top 10.
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CHL fans will get to watch many of them suit up in the Home Hardware CHL-NHL Top Prospects Game next week in Windsor. Connolly and Gudbranson will both miss the game with injuries.
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NHL Central Scouting Director E.J. McGuire has been involved in the Top Prospects Game for several years and said that this year’s talent pool is very deep.
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“This game is an extraordinary opportunity for NHL general managers and their scouting staffs to watch the best draft-eligible players in the world compete against each other,” McGuire said.
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Ontario Hockey League players have gone first overall in each of the past three NHL drafts, with Patrick Kane of the London Knights going to the Chicago Blackhawks in 2007 followed by Steven Stamkos of the Sarnia Sting to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008 and John Tavares of the Knights going to the New York Islanders last summer. He said that any one of Hall, Seguin and Fowler could become the fourth in a row.
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“We’re splitting hairs,” McGuire told NHL.com this week. “What does a team need? That’s how close it is. Does a team need a right-shot center (Seguin)? There’s your answer. Does a team need a speedy left wing (Hall)? There’s your answer. Does your team need a defenseman (Fowler)? There’s your answer.”
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It will be fun to watch the top three as they all play close to home and hope to stand out among the best prospects for the upcoming draft.
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“The bottom line is all three of them are outstanding hockey players,” Central Scouting’s Chris Edwards, who covers the OHL, told NHL.com. “It’s just the way it works out. You get a gut feeling on guys. If I was picking that’s the way I would pick them.”
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CHL fans will also get to see Seattle Thunderbirds netminder Calvin Pickard, the top rated goaltending prospect. Team U.S.A. goaltender Jack Campbell, who is set to join the Spitfires next season, was second.
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“What I like about Pickard is his all-round game,” said Al Jensen, Central Scouting’s goaltending scout. “His net coverage – he’s not as tall (as Campbell), but he plays big in the net. Very smart technically, very sound positionally calm, patient, reads the play, can make the big save.”
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For the players, the Top Prospects Game is a chance to shine against their peers.
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“I’m excited about playing in the Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game,” Seguin said when the rosters were announced late last month. “It’s an opportunity to play among the best players in the CHL. The game is something we all dream about when we’re growing up, so we’re all looking forward to play. It should be a lot of fun.”
Photo of Tyler Seguin, Plymouth Whalers, by Terry Wilson/OHL Images