WHL: Giants Citizen Kane

Neil Manning (2009), D, Vancouver

Chosen by the Giants in the second round (40th overall) of the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft .. played in only 34 games last season due to injuries .. a bit undersized at 5-foot-11, 170-pound frame although looks fairly strong on the puck .. plays with decent poise on the powerplay and displays good vision .. likes to pinch in and has so far shown the hands to score when given the chance .. communicates well with Craig Schira, whose his usual defensive partner .. not overly physical and can be pressured in to low percentage plays .. not that effective one-on-one .. plays on both special teams .. the big question is how good he'd be on a weak team. (26gp, 4-7-11)

Evander Kane (2009), C, Vancouver

Giants first selection (19th overall) in the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft .. anticipates the play well and regularly gets himself in position to score .. possesses a shot off of the wing that gets in quickly on the goalie .. will need to add some muscle to his 6-foot-1, 180-pound frame, however is still able to punish an opponent when he finishes the check .. also has the ability to separate the player from the puck .. fights hard to get in the dirty areas, yet will be even more effective as he adds some beef .. protects the puck well with his body while stickhandling through traffic .. wears an A and plays on both special teams .. might not be the second coming of Paul Coffey in the speed department, still his skating isn't an issue .. possesses nice vision and uses his linemates .. has developed excellent chemistry with Mike Piluso and especially Casey Pierro-Zabotel. (23gp, 15-23-38)

Mike Piluso (2009), LW, Vancouver

Chosen by the Giants in the fifth round (95th overall) of the 2005 WHL Bantam Draft .. works hards in the danger areas .. supports the puck .. lacks a ton of power behind his shot .. boasts very good quickness and the mobility to make people miss .. plays on both special teams .. goes to the net without the puck .. usually comes back hard on defense .. fitting in nicely on the big line .. pretty solid secondary offensive player at the junior level, however it is very questionable whether his overall game translates well to the NHL level .. pretty decent hand-eye coordination .. would be much higher on scout's lists if he was a few inches taller and 15-20 pounds heavier. (25gp, 8-7-15)

Mikhail Fisenko (2009), C, Vancouver

Russian pivot is in his second season of NHL Draft Eligibility .. possesses some imagination with the puck in the offensive zone, especially when given time and space .. can score in traffic .. sometimes is his own worst enemy as his work habits sometimes leave a bit to be desired, especially in the defensive zone which wouldn't make him a favourite of coach Don Hay .. sees time on the powerplay .. doesn't shoot the puck enough .. takes the pass smoothly .. will stickhandle in traffic, but lacks the strength or explosive speed to power his way through to the goal .. throws the odd solid hit, yet isn't consistent at taking the body .. played for Team Russia in the recent ADT Canada/Russia Challenge. (23gp, 6-5-11)

James Henry (2009), C, Vancouver

At his best when playing nonstop with bulldog tenacity .. chosen by the Giants in the ninth round (187th overall) of the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft .. moves the puck fairly smoothly .. is a good energy player who is able to create turnovers thanks to his work ethic and positioning .. supports the puckcarrier .. stickhandles well at top speed .. will drop down in front of a shot .. the type of player that can fill in briefly on other lines, but is generally most effective as a role player on the fourth line .. not hesitant to play an agitating style ,, boasts a powerful stride, although is far from a being a burner .. has seen a lot of time on a line with Craig Cunningham and even Lance Bouma .. a regular on the penalty kill. (26gp, 6-6-12)

Andrej Kudrna (2009), LW, Vancouver

Native of Nove Zamky, Slovakia is in his first year of eligibility .. possesses nifty speed to get in quickly on the loose puck .. doesn't finish his checks with much determination and generally kind of avoids contact when he can .. supports the puckcarrier .. boasts nice hand-eye coordination .. might lack elite acceleration, although his first few steps are fine .. definitely the better of the two imports on the Giants .. has good size at 6-foot-2, 195-pounds yet still needs to get stronger, especially on his skates .. goes to the net on the powerplay .. still a bit inconsistent, yet he's starting to show some chemistry on the second line with James Wright and Garry Nunn. (24gp, 9-8-17)

Ice Chips: Vancouver's backup goalie Jamie Tucker was chosen in the fourth round (66th overall) in the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft by the Giants .. recorded a shutout in his first ever WHL game, but is seeing limited action being the backup to Tyson Sexsmith.