nivek_wahs
05-02-2007, 04:14 AM
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/sports/story.html?id=1a8dc236-9ad6-4da9-8ecc-bca2484b3647
Giants scouts focus on future
Ian Walker, Vancouver Sun
Published: Wednesday, May 02, 2007
WHL FINAL
GAME 1
Friday at Medicine Hat Tigers
6:30 p.m.
SHAW/AM 730
- - -
While the Vancouver Giants players and coaches are busy preparing to face the Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL championship this weekend, the team's scouting staff has more important things on their mind. Like, the team's future.
The league's annual bantam draft goes Thursday in Calgary with the Giants holding the 19th overall pick.
Scouts and pundits across Western Canada have pegged this year's draft as being deep in first-round selections, with Luke Moffatt, a 5-11 centre from Phoenix, being the unanimous top prospect.
"The top five is pretty easy to figure out, but it's a deep draft," said Giants head scout Jason Riplinger. "Yeah, it's top heavy, but it's also deeper than people think. It's not a weak draft at all."
The Giant are looking to take a defenceman with their first-round pick, but are not married to the position.
"It's cliche, but it's true, we're going to take the best player available," continued Riplinger, who selected Evander Kane 19th overall last year. The 15-year-old Vancouver native joined the Giants following his midget team's elimination and has suited up for three games during this year's playoff run. "We're looking for someone who can skate and has good hockey sense, first and foremost. Those two things can take a player a long way."
The Portland Winter Hawks own the first pick in the draft by virtue of the lottery held following the end of the WHL regular season a month ago. The Kelowna Rockets have the second pick and expansion Edmonton Oil Kings select third.
The Giants have no second-round pick, but have two third-round selections.
"We've got our eyes on some guys that I'm sure other teams won't have rated in the first round," said Riplinger, who has been with the franchise since it joined the league six years ago. "We're not afraid to go off the chart. It's served us well in the past."
RUSSELL BEST BLUELINER: Giant Cody Franson wasn't on his way to Calgary for today's WHL awards banquet. It's a pretty good sign that Medicine Hat Tiger Kris Russell will take top defenceman honours for the second straight year.
Russell, 19, was the only defenceman in the WHL to lead his team in scoring this season with 32 goals and 37 assists in 59 games. The Columbus Blue Jackets prospect won gold at the last two world junior hockey championships, becoming the country's top-scoring defenceman all-time in the Christmas tournament with five goals and eight points.
Russell is also a good bet to take the league's MVP accolades. The West nominee is Seattle Thunderbirds centre Aaron Gagnon.
iwalker@png.canwest.com
© The Vancouver Sun 2007
Giants scouts focus on future
Ian Walker, Vancouver Sun
Published: Wednesday, May 02, 2007
WHL FINAL
GAME 1
Friday at Medicine Hat Tigers
6:30 p.m.
SHAW/AM 730
- - -
While the Vancouver Giants players and coaches are busy preparing to face the Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL championship this weekend, the team's scouting staff has more important things on their mind. Like, the team's future.
The league's annual bantam draft goes Thursday in Calgary with the Giants holding the 19th overall pick.
Scouts and pundits across Western Canada have pegged this year's draft as being deep in first-round selections, with Luke Moffatt, a 5-11 centre from Phoenix, being the unanimous top prospect.
"The top five is pretty easy to figure out, but it's a deep draft," said Giants head scout Jason Riplinger. "Yeah, it's top heavy, but it's also deeper than people think. It's not a weak draft at all."
The Giant are looking to take a defenceman with their first-round pick, but are not married to the position.
"It's cliche, but it's true, we're going to take the best player available," continued Riplinger, who selected Evander Kane 19th overall last year. The 15-year-old Vancouver native joined the Giants following his midget team's elimination and has suited up for three games during this year's playoff run. "We're looking for someone who can skate and has good hockey sense, first and foremost. Those two things can take a player a long way."
The Portland Winter Hawks own the first pick in the draft by virtue of the lottery held following the end of the WHL regular season a month ago. The Kelowna Rockets have the second pick and expansion Edmonton Oil Kings select third.
The Giants have no second-round pick, but have two third-round selections.
"We've got our eyes on some guys that I'm sure other teams won't have rated in the first round," said Riplinger, who has been with the franchise since it joined the league six years ago. "We're not afraid to go off the chart. It's served us well in the past."
RUSSELL BEST BLUELINER: Giant Cody Franson wasn't on his way to Calgary for today's WHL awards banquet. It's a pretty good sign that Medicine Hat Tiger Kris Russell will take top defenceman honours for the second straight year.
Russell, 19, was the only defenceman in the WHL to lead his team in scoring this season with 32 goals and 37 assists in 59 games. The Columbus Blue Jackets prospect won gold at the last two world junior hockey championships, becoming the country's top-scoring defenceman all-time in the Christmas tournament with five goals and eight points.
Russell is also a good bet to take the league's MVP accolades. The West nominee is Seattle Thunderbirds centre Aaron Gagnon.
iwalker@png.canwest.com
© The Vancouver Sun 2007