PDA

View Full Version : Blades pick fourth in bantam draft



nivek_wahs
03-23-2007, 03:34 AM
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/sports/story.html?id=e5b44f82-c347-4dec-8fa2-9702b44bdd4a


Blades pick fourth in bantam draft

Cory Wolfe, The StarPhoenix
Published: Friday, March 23, 2007

The Saskatoon Blades didn't win the WHL bantam draft lottery, but they still have a quick pick.

For the fourth time since 2001, the Blades own a top-five selection. The Portland Winter Hawks won Thursday's draft lottery for non-playoff teams. They'll pick first in the May 3 bantam draft, followed by the Kelowna Rockets, the expansion Edmonton Oil Kings and then the Blades. The Moose Jaw Warriors and Lethbridge Hurricanes round out the order for lottery selections.

No 1992-born prospect is considered a consensus No. 1 -- unlike last year when Allan-raised defenceman Jared Cowen went first overall to the Spokane Chiefs.

"There are four or five guys who could go No. 1," Blades assistant GM Jarrod Brodsky said Thursday.

The Winter Hawks are believed to be interested in Phoenix Firebirds forward Luke Moffatt, but time will tell. The expansion Oil Kings get first pick from the second round on, while the Blades go fifth in subsequent rounds (except those where trades have altered their draft positions).

"There's not as much depth," Brodsky said of the talent pool overall. "But on the other hand, there are still some good players. We still think we're going to get two very good players in the first two rounds and I even think we'll get a decent player in the fourth round."

Saskatoon does not have a third-round pick. In sending Michael MacAngus to the Regina Pats for Derek Hulak, the Blades also swapped bantam picks. The Pats got the Blades' third- and fifth-round picks in exchange for a fourth-rounder. Thus, Saskatoon picks fourth overall and 27th overall, but not again until 71st.

Saskatchewan's top-end players make their final auditions during the Sask First bantam tournament, which begins today in Regina. Don't expect Saskatoon to match last year's first-round explosion when five locals were picked in the first round. However, Saskatoon's overall crop should still be in double digits.

Alberta and B.C. are expected to be the hotbeds for this year's draft.

"Because we didn't make the playoffs, I'll get a chance to attend all of the (provincial) camps and meet with the scouts after each one to see where we're at," said Blades coach-GM Lorne Molleken.

Still, provincial showcases should not be used for one-stop shopping, he warned.

"You've gotta beat the bushes," said Molleken. "That's the key to hopefully find that diamond in the rough. Everybody has different opinions about players. It's no secret that we want to build our team and our depth chart around character kids.

"That's been the guideline that has been set out for our scouts from my perspective."

Since 2001, the Blades have made three top-five selections: Colton Gillies (second overall, 2004), Devin Setoguchi (fifth overall, 2002) and Joe Barnes (second overall, 2001).

ICE CHIPS: Blade grad Ryan Menei netted the shootout winner Wednesday as the Muskegon Fury topped the Port Huron Flags 2-1. Menei, 20, has joined the Fury for their United Hockey League playoff run . . . Saskatoon product Steven DaSilva was named to the WHL's first all-star team Thursday. The Kootenay Ice winger finished second in WHL scoring with 38 goals and 53 assists.

cwolfe@sp.canwest.com




© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2007