NCAA Draft Review and Summer Notes

For the first time ever, college hockey fans have the bragging rights to the NHL MVP award. Could the stellar performance of former Catamount Martin St. Louis be the reason that more NCAA, or soon-to-be NCAA, players were taken in this years draft than in any year previous? More than likely it has something to do with economics and strategy and not shiny silver trophies.

With the NHL facing Armageddon, hiding a collegiate player away in a bomb shelter for at least a couple of years until the dust settles is probably the wisest way to go. Here’s a look at a few NHL teams that did well at planning the future.

New York Rangers - The Blueshirts do not have the best reputation when it comes to nurturing young talent, but their two collegian picks may be mentally and physically ready to face the bright lights in the big city once they complete their trials at college. Drafting Alvaro Montoya (Michigan) was an obvious decision - he has already shown that he can handle pressure and has a World Junior gold medal to prove it. The selection of Northern Michigan forward Darin Olver was also a fine choice. He led the Wildcats in scoring in his freshman year with 33 points in 41 games.

Pittsburgh Penguins - With five of their twelve picks consisting of current or future NCAA players the Penguins not only chalked up a large group of college talent but possibly a few diamonds in the rough as well. With strong recruiting, the buzz in college hockey is that Brown will be the team to watch in 2004-05. Credit Pittsburgh’s staff for noticing that Brown’s forward Brian Ihnacak had nearly been forgotten entirely even after being ranked 44th among North American skaters in the CSB final list. Netminder David Brown quietly had a spectacular season for Notre Dame and was an excellent pick at 228. This Fighting Irish freshman accented his season by sweeping Michigan and posting a .929 save percentage.

Phoenix Coyotes - Technically he’s not even close to dawning the Golden Gophers’ sweater but growing up in Minnesota it would be next to impossible for that to change. It’s doubtful even the Great One could sway Blake Wheeler away from his commitment to Minnesota. While the Wheeler pick was the talk of draft, those who are familiar with the golden touch of head scout Dave Draper have few doubts that this was a smart move. The only real question is, will it be Wheeler or one of his other four collegiate picks that will turn into the next Chris Drury?

Colorado Avalanche - Hardly anyone had heard of David Jones when the Avs picked him in the ninth round in last year’s draft. Now, after posting 93 points in 53 games in the BCHL he’s one of the most anticipated players to enter the college scene at Dartmouth in 2004-05. Will Colorado have the same luck with their crop of four incoming NCAA picks out of this year’s selections? Also credit the Avs for one-upping the Minnesota Wild. With next to nothing to show for the greatest breading ground of high school and college talent in the United States, the Wild finally ended that reputation with the no-brainer selection of A.J Thelen (Michigan St.). The Avs topped this by not only picking a native but a native who plays in their own back yard. With the 249th pick the Avs took speedy sophomore J.D. Corbin from the NCAA champion Denver University Pioneers.

Buffalo Sabres - It certainly has nothing to do with quantity but the Buffalo Sabres seem to stockpile all their good luck college karma and place it into one pick. With the selection of Thomas Vanek last year and Keith Ballard the year before; Drew Stafford (North Dakota) seems to be following that trend.

New Jersey Devils - High end North Dakota talent and the New Jersey Devils go together like peanut butter and jelly. With picks like Zach Parise, David Hale, and James Massen was their any doubt that the Devils would snatch up future Fighting Sioux Travis Zajac? Zajac’s name is already being tossed around as a possible member of Team Canada for the World Junior Championship in early January. With the probable return of Brady Murray to Team USA, Fighting Sioux fans will have quite a dilemma as for who to cheer when this tournament plays out on their own home ice.

Kudos should also be given to Toronto, Washington and Tampa Bay for notable NCAA selections. The Leaf selected an up-and-coming talent in Wisconsin forward Robbie Earl who plays on an up-and-coming team. The selection of Chris Bourque by the Capitals is more than just for name recognition. While he may not have dad’s size, BU fans will, in their Bostonian accent, repeat the phrase “wicked slap shot” many times in the next four years. A darkhorse that has seems to have gotten lost somewhere is Dustin Collins. The Lighting are once again taking a risk on a forgotten NCAA player, one who has fallen off the final two CSB lists.

Note to the Detroit Red Wings: There is some truly great talent that plays pretty close to your home. Sometimes these kids even play in your own building. Occasionally the teams they play against have a lot of talent too. Haven’t the frequent flyer miles from trips to Minsk and Moscow earned you a free flight to Hawaii yet?

News and Notes

After the season is over college hockey fans are left to roam the Internet in hopes of breaking news of their favorite senior being invited to participate in an NHL prospect or conditioning camp. Some teams have already held or will soon hold this type of camp. Many players from the NCAA that were either forgotten in the draft or have been forgotten since their draft day are getting a chance to strut their stuff.

While the Atlanta Thrashers are holding a summer prospect camp, that may not be the biggest news of the off-season for the club. With a logjam of talented goaltenders in their system, the Chicago Blackhawks dealt Denver University goaltender Adam Berkhoel to the Thrashers. While Pioneer fans would love to see both Berkhoel and former DU goalie Wade Dubielewicz tend the nets in a superstar starter fashion, we may be witnessing the beginning of this former tag team’s true destiny. For over two years Dubielewicz and Berkhoel shared the netminding duties in Denver, usually alternating on Fridays and Saturday nights. If it wasn’t for jersey numbers and goalie pads, fans could barley tell them apart in talent and stats. Last season Dubielewicz began as a backup for Dieter Kochan in Bridgeport. Not only did he earn increasingly more starts, he also pitched a shut out in his debut as an Islander and earned the AHL Rookie of the Year Award. With the career of Garth Snow winding down, the only thing standing in the way of a starting position for him is future superstar and first overall draft pick Rick DiPietro. Since that scenario is unlikely to occur, it seems as though his past experience at DU and Bridgeport is setting him up to become the all-important and much under appreciated back-up goalie. Now, with Berkhoel coming off an NCAA championship shut out and a USA College Hockey Player of the Year Award, it seems that he could land in a similar situation. Highly touted prospect Kari Lehtonen will almost certainly be the full time netminder as soon as the Thrashers’ season starts up, but the back up situation seems certainly muddled. Maybe the hockey gods had a plan when they gave DU the two best goalies to ever suit up for the Pioneers so close together.

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Both Berkhoel and Thrashers’ draft pick Colin Stuart (Colorado College) have signed contracts with the organization. The Thrashers have invited an impressive list of college talent to their development camp including draftees Jim Slater, (Michigan State) Brian Sipotz, (Miami) and Mike Vannelli (Minnesota).

The Philadelphia Flyers have invited several NCAA players to their Mini-camp including Gophers captain and Flyers draft pick Ryan Potulny and free agent Tony Voce (Boston College). Voce led the Eagles in scoring during his senior year and was chosen MVP of his team.

Accompanying Chicago Blackhawks’ 2004 draft pick (Wisconsin Badger) Jake Dowell is newly graduated Badger Rene Bourque. Bourque’s steady solid talent and superb leadership skills over four years have earned him a great reputation in the NCAA and the same may happen when he is finally playing for a pay check. Also at the Hawks camp is the best undrafted player from North Dakota in David Lundbohn.

With the Departure of Ian Laperriere, the Los Angeles Kings may be looking to replace that grit with DU’s cranky forward Lukas Dora. Joining him at LA’s prospect camp will be draft picks Brady Murray (North Dakota) and Connor James (Denver).