2008 NHL Draft: Notes and Quotes

McKeen's had the chance to talk with several players just moments after being drafted into the NHL including top-10 picks Nikita Filatov, Joshua Bailey and Cody Hodgson. All three players offered their thoughts on a variety of topics such as their draft day experience, their style of play, leadership and other hockey moments from last season.

Nikita Filatov (CBJ), LW

Filatov was selected sixth overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets and was ranked the top European prospect both by Central Scouting and McKeen's. He was also considered the second best forward in the draft after a season that was highlighted by leading Russia in scoring with nine points at the WJC and captaining Russia to a silver medal at the U-18 tournament where he was named to the tournament All-Star team.

Filatov on being drafted…

"I'm really happy right now and it's an unbelievable day for me. Everyone is very happy my mother and father, they were waiting for this and they all know that Columbus is a very big team and a great team. It's an unbelievable feeling to be with players like Nash, we have a strong team with lots of strong young players. I felt that Columbus will draft me. I interviewed with 24 teams, but yesterday I talked with coach Hitchcock and I had three interviews with Columbus before this, it was very interesting, but anyway I was very nervous."

On his style of play…

"I'm a playmaker and good at both ends like defense and offence the pp and pk, everything is very important. Of course, I think it's really important to help the team playing defense and of course the penalty kill. I think they are really important and I know how to do it."

On Jakub Voracek…

"I remember him from the U-20's and he is a really good player. His game it seems, is sometimes like mine."

On Coming over to North America next season…

"Yeah, of course I'm coming to North America. I don't know if I will make the Blue Jackets, but we'll see. I'll play anywhere the coach and team decides. Maybe I will play in the junior league in Ontario." (Filatov was recently selected first overall by the Sudbury Wolves at the CHL Import Draft)

On what he needs to improve on…

"Of course anywhere you have to work but the main adjustment for me is getting bigger and stronger."

Josh Bailey (NYI), C

Bailey was selected ninth overall by the New York Islanders and was ranked 14th among North American skaters by Central Scouting and was the 11th ranked overall prospect by McKeen's. Bailey led the Windsor Spitfires in scoring and finished third in the OHL with 67 assists and was 10th overall with 96 points. Bailey talked about his draft day experience along with the tragic experience of the passing of Windsor Spitfires teammate Mickey Renaud.

Bailey on being drafted by the Islanders…

"As soon as they (Islanders) called my name after they bumped down to seven and it got my blood going a little bit. Then to nine and I kind of thought that it is going to happen, that now might be the time and I started getting ready talking with my friends and family, but I'm obviously ecstatic right now and at a loss for words… They (the Islanders) flew me in last week, so obviously a team is pretty interested when they do that. So I was really excited too. Obviously there is a great history there with the Islanders and when I got to go there it really got me excited thinking I could be drafted by them, so I am pretty ecstatic right now like I said."

On Islanders coach Ted Nolan…

"I know who Ted is by playing with his son's and we met a couple of times, but as far as sitting down with Ted, I don't know him personally. But I would love to get to know him. You obviously want to go to a team that has a great coach like that so I'm pretty excited."

On being among the top OHL prospects…

"We had a real deep talent pool in the OHL this year. It's great to be a part of it because there's obviously a lot of great players and we are all friends. We know each other well, and we are all excited for each other and happy to see each other go."

On being a leader and dealing with the tragic loss of teammate Mickey Renaud…

"I think I'm a leader. I was one of the older guys, we still had a young team and with what had happened, it's really hard to turn to anyone, you just want to be around your teammates. I did feel like I kind of had to take on more of a leadership role and I was happy to do it. I have always been more of that kind of guy and I think the guys kind of came to me with stuff like that so I was just happy to help out."

Cody Hodgson (Van), C

Hodgson was selected 10th overall by the Vancouver Canucks and was ranked 9th among North American skaters by Central Scouting and was ranked the 9th overall prospect by McKeen's. Hodgson finished the season among the top 20 in OHL scoring with 85 points and he also led his team – the Brampton Battalion – with 40 goals. Hodgson's season was highlighted by his performance at the World U-18 championships where he led all players with 10 assists (2-10-12) and 12 points helping Team Canada win gold.

Hodgson on being drafted by Vancouver…

"It's just great. There's only six Canadian teams so the odds are not in your favour to play for a Canadian city. But that's something you always dream about growing up is that you want to go play where hockey matters and I think this is a great city for that."

On what type of player he is…

"Well I try to play as much like Sidney Crosby as possible. Obviously it works for him (laughs). I just love the way he competes, he has great vision, he's strong down low and has great balance. He can also put the puck in the net as well."

On leadership…

" I try to be a leader. I don't really need or to wear a letter to be considered a leader. I just try to do what's right most of the time and so far that has worked out for me."

On his size…

"I don't think my size is an issue. There's a lot of players in the NHL like Zetterberg, Datsyuk and Crosby that dispel that myth that you don't have to be a big player to be successful and that's the type of mold I try to fill."