Author:
Gruce Barrioch, Canadian Press
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Date Posted: 21:08:52 01/15/05 Sat
[Winnipeg, MAN] With the 2006 GWHL Draft just around the corner, it is time to do a little speculating on the selections each team might make in the first round of the Draft.
This draft appears to be top-heavy with solid goaltenders, defensemen and some forwards, but may not be what the doctor ordered for a club seeking offensive help. There are some offensive talents available, of course, but most of these players are not money in the bank.
The players available in this draft are NHL draftees from 2002 and back that have not yet been chosen by a GWHL club (or have gone back into the draft). Undrafted free agent signees (NHL) can also be selected, so players like Junior Lessard and the like can be chosen.
So, here is one view of how the first round might unfold. Keep in mind, this is an unpredictable draft, since there is a definite lack of high caliber talent. Use this mock draft at your own risk!
1. Saskatoon - Yannick Lehoux, Center
The Silos have a pretty solid group of young prospects, but could use some offensive help. Lehoux is having a great season in the AHL, and could be ready to take the next step.
2. Steeltown - Thomas Pock, Defenseman
The Hammers have pretty good prospect depth in goal and on the wings, but they could use some help on defense and at center. Pock had a good college career, and appears to be adjusting well to the pro game.
3. Quebec (LON) - Matt Greene, Defenseman
The Remparts have a tendency to select the prospects of a certain NHL club. Rock-ribbed defenseman Greene is nearly ready to turn pro, and would be a physical force on the Remparts blue line.
4. Whitehorse - Antero Nittymaki, Goaltender
In a draft featuring several decent goaltending prospects, the Warriors, a team in need of a young goaltender, take the AHL-tested Nittymaki.
5. Charlottetown (B.C.) – Kyle Wellwood, Center
The Islanders may opt for a goaltender after having Ari Ahonen go back into the draft, but the offensively talented Wellwood might be hard to pass up. In spite of his small stature, Wellwood has scored at every level he’s played at, so there is no reason to think that he can’t do it at the highest level.
6. Victoria (TOR) – Andy Hilbert, Center/Left Wing
With no glaring needs and four picks in hand, the Victoria Totems can afford to select the talented AHL star. Hilbert has had a strong year in the AHL this season, and looks like he may finally break through at the highest level.
7. Whitehorse (CHR) – Matthew Keith, Right Wing
With their second of four second round picks, the Warriors add to their depth on the wings with the dependable Keith. Keith has improved his game steadily in the AHL, and has the ability to score a few goals.
8. Edmonton – Josh Harding, Goaltender
The Eagles are known to be unpredictable on Draft Day, and may spring a surprise on draft observers. But they could do worse than to select goaltender former WHL MVP Josh Harding. Harding has moved up to the AHL, and has looked good in his rookie season.
9. Ottawa – Cam Ward, Goaltender
The Oaks could use a good goaltending prospect in their system, and Ward could fill the bill. The former WHL star does nothing but win, and he is off to a good start in his pro career.
10. Whitehorse (QUE) – Jakub Klepis, Center
With their third pick in the first round, the Warriors select the skilled center Klepis. There was a point where Klepis’s desire to play in the North America was questioned, but he is having a good rookie season in the AHL.
11. Steeltown (CAL) – Peter Budaj, Goaltender
The Hammers use their second pick in the first round to select a goaltender for the future. Budaj was a star in the OHL, and has been just as good in the AHL, particularly this season.
12. Winnipeg – Mike Morris, Right Wing
Returning GM Steve Gandour has been known to turn a trade or three, so this pick may not remain in the hand of the Wolves. But if it does, the Wolves could select Morris, an offensively talented winger currently playing for Northeastern University in the NCAA.
13. Montreal – Garnett Exelby, Defenseman
Could be a “best player available” situation at this point, but it is also a multi-choice answer in this draft. The Marauders have turned things around in a hurry, but could use a few prospects in the cupboard, so Exelby could be a good choice at this spot.
14. Victoria – Matt Murley, Left Wing
The Totems use their second pick in the first to select one of the better left wingers in this draft, Matt Murley. The former RPI star is close to sticking at the highest level, as he has mostly proven himself in the AHL.
15. Whitehorse (YEL) – Chris Kunitz, Left Wing
The Warriors use their fourth pick of the first to select another solid former NCAA left wing in Kunitz. Kunitz has shown flashes of his scoring touch at the AHL level, and should be close to landing a full time spot at the highest level.
16. Toronto (HAL) – Artem Kriukov, Center
The Trojans have to wait patiently for their first pick, then surprise the crowd with the selection of the fragile Kriukov. The lanky Russian has shown signs of being the player that some expected him to be, but the threat of an injury is always around the corner.
17. British Columbia (comp.) – Junior Lessard, Center
The Huskies could use some of everything in the prospect department, but have only one selection in this draft. Lessard, last year’s Hobey Baker winner, got off to a slow start in the AHL, but has come on more recently to show some of the skills that made him the top college player in 2004.
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