nivek_wahs
06-21-2007, 04:41 PM
http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/sports/story.html?id=0e9c8c2b-0e77-41e9-9352-7d68cac0a378
Repik leads G-men into Columbus
High picks look good on organization says GM Bonner, goalie Sexsmith
Steve Ewen, The Province
Published: Thursday, June 21, 2007
The Vancouver Giants produced two NHL first-round picks in their initial five seasons.
They could more than double their overall total on Friday.
One NHL scout, speaking on the condition of anonymity, suggests that the stellar postseason put forth by winger Michal Repik has made him a certain top-30 selection come the entry draft in Columbus, Ohio.
Giants defenceman Jon Blum, who ended up leading the WHL in plus-minus this past regular season, has had that tag since the early part of the campaign.
Meanwhile, that scout believes that goaltender Tyson Sexsmith could sneak into the opening round after his performance in leading Vancouver to the WHL final and then the Memorial Cup championship.
Throw in winger Spencer Machacek, who should go in the first three rounds, and possible late selections Brent Regner, a defenceman, and Mitch Czibere, a centre, and Vancouver could have six picks.
The Giants have had eight players drafted in total before this year, led by the franchise's two building blocks, defenceman Mark Fistric (2004 first round, 28th overall, Dallas) and centre Gilbert Brule (2005 first round, sixth overall, Columbus).
"I think having four guys potentially going high says something for our club because we're coming off two really successful seasons, but have still maintained a young core group," said Giants GM Scott Bonner. "It will help our recruiting in that it shows future prospects that our coaches do a good job of developing players."
Repik initially told his teammates that he wasn't going to the draft, but he's since changed his mind -- which suggests that he's been told to get ready to make that traditional walk to the podium to put on a jersey.
Blum, who got his first visit from an NHL general manager in October, is going to Columbus with a large family contingent.
Sexsmith and Machacek both have opted against flying down, although Sexsmith was talking Wednesday like he could change his mind if he got some late positive feedback.
"I think it's great for the organization," said Sexsmith. "It shows that the scouting staff can find guys and shows that the coaches can develop them."
steve.ewen@gmail.com
DRAFT POTENTIAL
MICHAL REPIK
5-foot-11, 184-pound winger
Scouting report: Skilled, dynamic winger who showed he can produce in the clutch with his playoff and Memorial Cup performances.
Numbers: 24-31-55 in 56 regular season games;10-16-26 in 22 playoff games; 3-4-7 in five Memorial Cup games.
Who's interested: Nashville and Edmonton are said to be paying the most attention.
JON BLUM
6-foot, 170-pound defenceman
Scouting report: Smart, savvy puck mover who never panics against forecheckers. His size will be questioned, though.
Numbers: 8-43-51 in 72 regular season games; 3-6-9 in 22 playoff games; 0-1-1 in five Memorial Cup games.
Who's interested: Los Angeles has been keeping a close eye all year, but don't yet have the mid-first to mid-second round pick that he would fit in with. Washington is also said to have watched closely.
TYSON SEXSMITH
6-foot, 204-pound goaltender
Scouting report: Plays economical, NHL style already and showed mental toughness to carry the load at a younger age.
Numbers: 31-12-2-6, 1.79 goals against, .915 save percentage in the regular season; 14-7, 1.79, .914 in the playoffs; 4-1, 1.40, .936 in five Memorial Cup games.
Who's interested: New Jersey kept him late at the NHL Combine for an extra interview. Nashville also seemed keen on him.
SPENCER MACHACEK
6-foot-1, 182-pound winger
Scouting report: Hard worker with grit. Scores most of his goals from directly in front of the net.
Numbers: 21-24-45 in 63 regular-season games; 9-11-20 in 22 playoff games; 3-0-3 in five Memorial Cup games.
Who's interested: According to agent Gerry Johannson the response has been good, but teams are waiting to see how the draft in front of him pans out.
© The Vancouver Province 2007
Repik leads G-men into Columbus
High picks look good on organization says GM Bonner, goalie Sexsmith
Steve Ewen, The Province
Published: Thursday, June 21, 2007
The Vancouver Giants produced two NHL first-round picks in their initial five seasons.
They could more than double their overall total on Friday.
One NHL scout, speaking on the condition of anonymity, suggests that the stellar postseason put forth by winger Michal Repik has made him a certain top-30 selection come the entry draft in Columbus, Ohio.
Giants defenceman Jon Blum, who ended up leading the WHL in plus-minus this past regular season, has had that tag since the early part of the campaign.
Meanwhile, that scout believes that goaltender Tyson Sexsmith could sneak into the opening round after his performance in leading Vancouver to the WHL final and then the Memorial Cup championship.
Throw in winger Spencer Machacek, who should go in the first three rounds, and possible late selections Brent Regner, a defenceman, and Mitch Czibere, a centre, and Vancouver could have six picks.
The Giants have had eight players drafted in total before this year, led by the franchise's two building blocks, defenceman Mark Fistric (2004 first round, 28th overall, Dallas) and centre Gilbert Brule (2005 first round, sixth overall, Columbus).
"I think having four guys potentially going high says something for our club because we're coming off two really successful seasons, but have still maintained a young core group," said Giants GM Scott Bonner. "It will help our recruiting in that it shows future prospects that our coaches do a good job of developing players."
Repik initially told his teammates that he wasn't going to the draft, but he's since changed his mind -- which suggests that he's been told to get ready to make that traditional walk to the podium to put on a jersey.
Blum, who got his first visit from an NHL general manager in October, is going to Columbus with a large family contingent.
Sexsmith and Machacek both have opted against flying down, although Sexsmith was talking Wednesday like he could change his mind if he got some late positive feedback.
"I think it's great for the organization," said Sexsmith. "It shows that the scouting staff can find guys and shows that the coaches can develop them."
steve.ewen@gmail.com
DRAFT POTENTIAL
MICHAL REPIK
5-foot-11, 184-pound winger
Scouting report: Skilled, dynamic winger who showed he can produce in the clutch with his playoff and Memorial Cup performances.
Numbers: 24-31-55 in 56 regular season games;10-16-26 in 22 playoff games; 3-4-7 in five Memorial Cup games.
Who's interested: Nashville and Edmonton are said to be paying the most attention.
JON BLUM
6-foot, 170-pound defenceman
Scouting report: Smart, savvy puck mover who never panics against forecheckers. His size will be questioned, though.
Numbers: 8-43-51 in 72 regular season games; 3-6-9 in 22 playoff games; 0-1-1 in five Memorial Cup games.
Who's interested: Los Angeles has been keeping a close eye all year, but don't yet have the mid-first to mid-second round pick that he would fit in with. Washington is also said to have watched closely.
TYSON SEXSMITH
6-foot, 204-pound goaltender
Scouting report: Plays economical, NHL style already and showed mental toughness to carry the load at a younger age.
Numbers: 31-12-2-6, 1.79 goals against, .915 save percentage in the regular season; 14-7, 1.79, .914 in the playoffs; 4-1, 1.40, .936 in five Memorial Cup games.
Who's interested: New Jersey kept him late at the NHL Combine for an extra interview. Nashville also seemed keen on him.
SPENCER MACHACEK
6-foot-1, 182-pound winger
Scouting report: Hard worker with grit. Scores most of his goals from directly in front of the net.
Numbers: 21-24-45 in 63 regular-season games; 9-11-20 in 22 playoff games; 3-0-3 in five Memorial Cup games.
Who's interested: According to agent Gerry Johannson the response has been good, but teams are waiting to see how the draft in front of him pans out.
© The Vancouver Province 2007