WHL: Kootenay Prospects on Ice

The Kamloops Blazers are not blessed with any top-end prospects for the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, but do have five hopefuls as possible later-round selections. McKeen's correspondent Randy Gorman has seen the Ice on several occasions and enters notes on Steele Boomer, Matt Fraser, Kevin King, Jiri Ryzuk and goaltender Thomas Heemskerk.

Steele Boomer (2008), C, Kootenay Ice

The 6-foot-0, 175-pound pivot is an average skater for this level but he is a smart player with good hands and a nose for the net .. he produced 11goals and 30 points in 62 games for the Ice this season to go along with 32 penalty minutes and a plus-1 rating .. could develop into a power forward that could add some offensive upside to go along with a strong defensive game .. however, on some viewings, he looked lost, out of position, and needs to adopt better hockey instincts .. he has good hands but has to play a better physical game and be able to win the one on one battle ... he's young and will get better, but as far as being drafted it's a long shot, as he needs a lot of work on all aspects of the game.

Matt Fraser (2008), LW, Kootenay Ice

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound winger had a decent year with the Ice scoring nine goals and 20 points in 63 games coupled a plus–3 rating and 48 penalty minutes .. Fraser has good wheels and can fly, but has to make better decisions at both ends of the rink to overcome and develop into a better all-round player .. he should get better with experience and coaching, as he should help lead Kootenay in the future .. has a great work ethic and always has the desire to have the puck and protect it along the wall .. he could play better physically for his size, but he has time to develop a mean streak .. he has improved his vision and poise but needs to get to the dirty areas to be more effective for his team and as a player .. could be drafted in the later rounds but it looks unlikely at this time.

Kevin King (2008), LW, Kootenay Ice

King is somewhat of an enigma, as one night he is playing great positionally and the next you wonder if his head's in the game .. he is an okay skater, but could use some improving if he is going to move up to the next level .. he has to bring a consistent game night in and night out, which means a better work ethic and paying attention to the game plan of the coaching staff .. King has been playing in a checking role, as he produced eight goals and 21 points in 63 games and was even defensively with 61 penalty minutes .. plays a good physical game, as he is not afraid of the rough stuff and regularly gets under the skin of opposing players .. it is a long shot on whether any team will show interest in King this draft, however he has time to develop his skills at the junior level.

Jiri Ryzuk (2008), D, Kootenay Ice

Ryzuk did not get many games in to display his talent this year, as he was limited to 45 games due to injury and healthy-scratch situations .. he's still looking for his first WHL goal and point and had 21 penalty minutes to go along with his minus –3 rating ... the 6-foot-2, 185-pound Czech import is a very good skater who likes to carry the puck, make passes with precision and has good offensive traits .. the knock against him is that many scouts see him as a defensive liability and stress that he really has to develop a defensive game to complement his offensive ability .. his shot is hard but often erratic and he needs to get better control through practice .. he does not really play well physically and shies away from heavy traffic areas .. he's smart with the puck and doesn't like turning it over, as he protects it well and knows what he wants to do with the puck at critical times of the game .. there is hope he might get a shot at the pro game after he has honed his skills at the junior level, but for now and for the draft it is a long shot to whether he is taken this season.

Thomas Heemskerk (2008), G, Kootenay Ice

Thomas played the proverbial backup role for the Ice this season and did post a winning record in 22 games getting 15 wins and only four regulation losses with two overtime and one shootout loss .. the 6-foot-0, 170-pound netminder has good lateral movement and a great glove hand .. the knock on him is that he needs better rebound control and has to challenge shooters more often .. he also needs to be able to see the ice better, not let in the soft goal and be able to rebound mentally from letting that bad goal in .. he has a shot in the later rounds of this year's draft .. if not, he will most certainly have a chance to garner interest over his junior career as he develops into a more complete goaltender, which he has the potential to become.