D-Day for the Wild West - WHL Draft Recap
The draft of 2003 was being touted as the deepest in years, one for the ages,
a literal party for draft eligible players. And the WHL was supposed to spend
Advertisement
most of the first round waiting to get in.
With what scouts viewed as only three sure-fire first round selections tagged
for the red carpet treatment on draft day, the WHL was looking like the poor
sister of the CHL entering the draft, clearly lacking the hype that the QMJHL
and the OHL was generating. After all was said and done however, the WHL could
say they held up quite nicely. With six selections in the first round, the WHL
trailed only the OHL's seven selections for the league of choice amongst NHL
scouts. Here is a detailed look at the top end talent selected by NHL big wigs
on Saturday from the WHL.
Coburn, D Portland Winterhawks
Selected 8th overall by the Atlanta Thrashers
Coburn was expected to be the premiere selection from the WHL and he didn't
disappoint. A hulking defenseman who thrives inside his own zone and is capable
of being a rock on defense, Coburn figures to be the anchor on the ever improving
blueline for the Thrashers. Due to his limited offensive upside, Ryan Suter
passed him in the end for the title of top defenseman selected, but Coburn could
still end up being the best blueliner grabbed from the first round. With elite
level skating and puckhandling skills, and with nearly mistake-free play, Coburn
projects to be a top two defenseman in Atlanta as soon as the 2004-2005 season.
Phaneuf, D Red Deer Rebels
Selected 9th overall by the Calgary Flames
A somewhat surprising pick this high, Phaneuf is viewed as a nasty SOB. A natural
leader and rock hard hitter, Phaneuf garnered acclaim with his devastating hit
during the Top Prospects Game on fellow first rounder Marc-Antoine Pouliot.
Pouliot, for the record, was selected by the cross-province Edmonton Oilers,
so this could continue to fuel the never ending rivalry. A solid skater, and
blessed with a hard slapshot, Phaneuf should be effective on the Flames powerplay.
An excellent all-around player, the only real knock on him is his offensive
upside. Not viewed as a major point producer, Phaneuf will have to rely on his
steady play and leadership skills to carve out his niche. Phaneuf is a lock
for a top four role in a Sutter defensive scheme.
Seabrook, D Lethbridge Hurricanes
Selected 14th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks
A captain wherever he goes, Seabrook is a future NHL leader. Viewed as a two-way
defenseman with good offensive upside, Seabrook has the ability to eventually
be a blueliner capable of doing it all. Thriving in physical games, Seabrook
can play it anyway you want. Capable of carting the puck up ice and with a heavy
shot from the point, Seabrook can play in all offensive situations. In his own
zone, Seabrook is strong along the wall and in the corners and is very effective
clearing the crease, using his notable mean streak to full advantage. The only
drawback is his transition from offense to defense, most notably when to hold
the offensive blueline and when to retreat. Potentially a number one blueliner
capable of elite level play.
Fehr, LW Brandon Wheat Kings
Selected 18th overall by the Washington Capitals
A surprise first round selection, Fehr is a project pick as he is likely three
seasons away from being NHL ready. Fehr has the ability to eventually become
a respected power forward with twenty to thirty goals a season upside. Strong
defensively, Fehr has been know to for go offensive opportunities in order to
protect himself defensively. Recognizing when to take chances is a challenge
Fehr will face next year. A good skater and strong on the puck, Fehr has good
offensive upside and at worst projects to be an effective checking forward similar
to fellow Capital Steve Konowalchuk.
Getzlaf, C Calgary Hitmen
Selected 19th overall by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks
The last of the three surefire WHL first rounders - Phaneuf and Coburn being
the other two - Getzlaf is a strong, two-way center who is limited in offensive
upside, but little else. A competent powerplay quarterback, Getzlaf has a cannon
of a pointshot. An excellent skater, Getzlaf is always back on the backcheck,
and is responsible defensively. Getzlaf also is an on-ice leader, often times
sticking up for fellow teammates and never backing down from a challenger. Not
a natural scorer and not possessing a very accurate shot, Getzlaf doesn't have
the upside of a top line forward. Getzlaf projects more to being a second line
center or a 3rd line shut down forward.
Belle, D Tri-City Americans
Selected 30th overall by the ST. Louis Blues
Viewed as a potential top 10 selection entering the draft year, Belle dropped
rapidly on many rankings and was expected to be a mid-to-late second round pick
on draft day. One of the best skaters in the draft and blessed with incredible
physical attributes, Belle had the potential to be immensely better then the
30th pick in this year's draft. Do to an under-achieving offensive game, and
inconsistency in his own zone, namely a lack of a physical game, Belle plummeted
in the draft rankings. St. Louis sees the potential that Belle holds; potential
that when harnessed, is incredible. If he ever gets his natural abilities under
his grasp, Belle has all the tools to be a top-flite, two-way defenseman.
With a solid group of players from the WHL heading into the 2004 draft, such
as blueline threats Mark Fistric of the Vancouver Giants and Cam Barker of the
Medicine Hat Tigers, the WHL figures to have a major impact on round one next
year as well. True to form though, NHL teams will not have their drafts made
in the first round. Like all previous drafts, there will be late round gems
to come out of the 2003 draft. As the draft continues to unfold, a few late
bloomers and under scouted players will hear their names called and start on
the path to a solid NHL career. These late round finds can not only tip a draft
in favor of the team, but can have longstanding implications at the NHL level.
It may take years for these picks to come to fruition, but that is what makes
draft weekend so special. What starts out as a game of chess in the end becomes
a crapshoot. The team that does best at throwing darts in the dark tends to
get a leg up on the competition for Lord Stanley's mug. And isn't that why we
all care about draft day to begin with?