Scouting services think highly of Gagner, Kane

By FREE PRESS STAFF
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London Knights forward Sam Gagner is the OHL’s No. 1 skater on the NHL Central Scouting Bureau’s list of prospects for the 2007 entry draft. Knights teammate Pat Kane is third, while Sarnia Sting defenceman Mark Katic is ranked 15th.
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Gagner and Kane are also seventh and 19th respectively on the entry draft projections released yesterday by International Scouting Services.
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Jakub Voracek, a six-foot-one Czech right winger with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Halifax Mooseheads, is the No. 1 on that list.
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He is ahead of James Van Riemdyk, a left winger on the U.S. under-18 development team in Ann Arbour, Mich., and Londoner Logan Couture, an Ottawa 67’s forward who has battled mono this fall.
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The October ISS report had Couture first, Voracek No. 2 and centre Angelo Esposito of the Quebec Remparts No. 3. Couture has slipped to third and Esposito now ranks sixth.
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The projected No. 1 pick by ISS for the 2008 NHL entry draft is London defenceman Drew Doughty of the Guelph Storm. Sarnia centre Steve Stamkos is No. 2 and centre Colin Wilson of the U.S. under-18 development team is No. 3.
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Peterborough Petes Trevor Cann has jumped to No. 1 from No. 4 among ranked goalies.