Yellowknife Happy With Draft -- Great White Rumour Mill

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Subject: Yellowknife Happy With Draft

Author:
Lien Seyah

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Date Posted: 15:42:04 04/18/04 Sun

In a draft that was very deep and where every GM was dying to get their hands on as many picks as possible, Blades GM Neil Hayes decided to keep the picks his team had rather than strengthen the team. Considering what GM's might have given up for the picks, this was a risky move, seeing as the Blades highest pick was #17, well below where a sure fire prospect would be picked.
However, the risk seems to have paid off, and one of the top two players on the Blades' list fell to them at #17 and #18 overall.
With their #17 pick, Yellowknife selected all star defenseman Marek Zidlicky, who had 53 points in the NHL, the GWHL's farm league. Zidlicky should be able to step in right away a couple of seasons from now, and should be a force.
With their next selection, 18th overall, the Blades were ecstatic to pick Ryan Malone, who also had a very succesful NHL season, potting over 20 goals and 40 points. Malone is a huge forward, who can skate and has nice hands, and Hayes is hoping he will develop into an excellent all around player. Both picks are sure to be Blades players as they have already met rating requirements, which Hayes said played a factor in their selections.
"For sure it did. It's nice that they can both step into the lineup soon, but it is also nice to know that they will not re-enter the draft due to being ineligible for ratings. We don't want to waste any picks on players that we might lose for nothing, not in such a great, deep draft" commented Hayes.
With their second round selection, Yellowknife grabbed defenseman Noah Welch, who has alot of talent. He can skate, and is big, plus he is a smart player - evidenced by the fact he will be obtaining a degree from Harvard this next year.
With one of the last picks in the third round, the Blades drafted skilled forward Jozef Balej, who has impressed many in the AHL and more recently the NHL. Some have him compared to superstar Patrik Elias, or Radek Dvorak. Crazy comparisons? Maybe, but they show that he has all the skill in the world if he can harness it.
Overall, the draft was a success, and the Blades look to have a couple of solid young players in their lineup in the not so distant future.

Lien Seyah, Yellowknife Sun

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