Portland Winter HawksKurtis Mucha: The Hawks' best chance at having a player picked is actually their already once-undrafted goaltender. I know he was on some teams lists last year, so he barely missed out on being drafted. Same is true again this year, so he could get called with a late pick, or get passed on again. If he doesn't go, he's got a chance at getting a camp invite.
Colin Reddin: On the Red Line Report list more for what he did as a 16-year old last season with the US U-17 Team than anything he did this year. Has a some untapped offensive ability but he struggled to adjust to the WHL. Could be a late pick if there's an NHL guy who remembered what he looked like two years ago, but there's a good chance he'll go undrafted.
Others: Best chance for any other player to go besides Mucha and Reddin might be puck moving '89 blueliner Travis Ehrhardt, but he wasn't that much better this year than last and went undrafted in '07. Bo Montgomery was watched closely by scouts this season, but he just hasn't developed much. Luke Walker has a decent touch around the net, but is a long ways from being a pro prospect. Travis Bobbee has some natural talent, but he's never been able to put it together in the WHL. Jason Grecica and Philip Gervais work hard, but aren't likely to go. And no one got to see Brock Cornish is his draft year, so he'll have to wait until next year.
Looking Ahead to 2009: Brett Ponich has the body and raw ability to draw a lot of interest. He might be somewhere around the 3rd round right now, but he showed enough improvement last season that he could be a riser. Riley Boychuk missed a critical year of development, but has the size and hands that scouts will watch closely.
3 comments:
Didn't reddin only play around 20 games for the w hawks this season? He seemed pretty well adjusted when I saw him play even after his 2-3 week wait for his release. Think many will watch for him this season.
i know he skated at the Ducks elite prospect development camp july 2008.in the individual testing evaluation,had top scores.body fat 6.9, vertical jump 28, broad jump 100, vo2 max 60.8,push ups 40, bench press 18
Reddin comes from a hockey family,his grand dad was with the Calgary Centennials front office back in the 70's.In the 1980's his grand dad received a championship ring with thr New England Whalers of the WHA.His father john played in the ajhl & bchl; his uncle tony played in ahl. Reddin has dual citizenship.
Post a Comment