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CanesFan7
07-28-2005, 05:40 PM
The Blackhawks signed four of their top prospects Thursday -- defenseman Brent Seabrook, goalie Corey Crawford, center Colin Fraser and defenseman Dustin Byfuglien. All four 2003 selections had to be signed by 4 pm CDT or else they would have been eligible to re-enter the draft this Saturday in Ottawa.

“We're happy we to get these signings done,” said Blackhawks general manager Dale Tallon. “We're excited to have them as part of the Blackhawk family. Each one of them will be an important part of our future. Now we're moving on to the draft."

Seabrook, a 1st round pick and the 14th overall selection, finished the season in Norfolk after leading the Lethbridge Hurricanes into the WHL playoffs. "Brent is very smart defensively," Tallon said. "He moves the puck and passes well with a great shot from the point. With the rule changes he'll be a real asset because of his ability to pass and think the game."

Fraser, a 3rd round pick who was part of the Alex Zhamnov trade with Philadelphia, also finished his 2004-05 campaign with the Admirals. Fraser served as captain of Brent Sutter's Red Deer (WHL) squad last season. Both he and Seabrook were part of Canada's 2005 World Junior Championship team.

"Colin is a leader and a potential captain," Tallon said. "He's a tough, hard-nosed, two-way centerman. He's got tremendous grit and character with skill as well. He just needs to get quicker and stronger. But he is fearless and plays an in-your-face style."

Tallon believes 2nd round pick Corey Crawford, one of the top goalies in the QMJHL the past two seasons, has a chance to be a #1 goaltender in the NHL. "He's a big kid coming off some great years in juniors. We've got high expectations for him."

An 8th round pick, Byfuglien led Prince George (WHL) in scoring last season with 22 goals and 36 assists in 64 games.

"He has tremendous skill for a man of his size with great hands and a big shot," Tallon explained. "It will be up to him to get into top-notch shape. He has to be quicker at the next level."

Because of his versatility and skill, Byfuglien could end up playing either defense or forward in Norfolk this coming season.

"We'll take a look at every possibility," Tallon said. "We're deep on the right side right now with Anton Babchuk, Brent Seabrook, James Wisniewski and Nick Kuiper. They're all right-handed shots with good size. There are only so many positions available. We're deep on the left side too with Duncan Keith, Michal Barinka, Jim Vandermeer, Jassen Cullimore and Steve McCarthy, plus Cam Barker coming up."

Three other picks from the '03 class had already been signed -- Barinka, D Lasse Kukkonen and G Mike Brodeur. The Hawks hold the rights to European draftees Alexei Ivanov and Johan Andersson, both centers, until 2007, which accounts for all 10 players from that class.