NHL DRAFT GOES THIS WEEKEND

Tanner Pearson and Mathias Niederberger of the Barrie Colts will be on the edge of their seats this weekend as 30 NHL teams look to the future in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.  Pittsburgh plays host to the draft that will take place this weekend with the first round on Friday night and rounds two through seven on Saturday.

Tanner Pearson is coming off a career-year in which he finished third in the OHL in scoring with 91 points (37g, 54a).  The winger represented Canada at the World Juniors, played in both legs of the Subway Super Series and competed in the CHL/NHL Home Hardware Top Prospect’s Game.  

After not being selected in his first two years of eligibility Pearson has shot up the rankings this season and many have him pegged to go late in the opening round.  He is currently ranked the 25th best skater in North America.  Click here to see Mock Drafts from NHL.com’s Steven Hoffner and Adam Kimmelman.  

Goaltender Mathias Niederberger really picked up his play as the season progressed and finished the year with a record of 29-14-3 with three shutouts and a 2.68 goals against average.  He was not ranked in the midterm draft rankings but has since shot up to the 24th ranked North American goalie. 

Niederberger was named goalie of the tournament as he helped Germany win the ‘B’ Pool at the World Juniors.  The native of Dusseldorf, Germany was drafted 25th overall by the Colts in the 2011 CHL Import Draft.

Stay tuned to www.barriecolts.com for all of your 2012 NHL Draft coverage.

LW ~ Tanner Pearson
Kitchener, Ontario
8/10/1992 ~ 6’0″ ~ 192 lbs
YEAR ~ TEAM	GP	G	A	P	PIM
2011-12 ~ Barrie Colts	60	37	54	91	42
2010-11 ~ Barrie Colts	66	15	27	42	35
~Ranked 25th among North American Skaters~

G ~ Mathias Niederberger
Dusseldorf, Germany
11/26/1992 ~ 5’11” ~ 175 lbs
YEAR ~ TEAM	GP	GAA	SV%	W	L
2011-12 ~ Barrie Colts	49	2.68	.918	29	14
~Ranked 24th among North American Goalies~