WHL: Not a Strong Draft for Chilliwack

McKeen's correspondent Randy Gorman continues his tour of the WHL with notes on the 2008 draft-eligible players from the Chilliwack Bruins. Although there are no prospects currently listed in McKeen's Top-60 Midterm Draft Rankings, several players may have a shot to go late in the draft.

Mark Friesen (2008), G, Chilliwack

Mark has battled the inconsistency bug most of the season along with his veteran-crease mate Matt Esposito .. he makes a good first save but has to work on his rebound control .. stays square to the puck through traffic and has good vision .. his lateral movement is adequate for this level but it could be improved upon .. displays a good glove hand and flashes it on occasion .. with his small stature (5-10, 160) he must come out and challenge shooters more often instead of staying far back in the crease.

Liam Darragh (2008), LW, Chilliwack

At 6-foot-4 and 195 pounds, Darragh has a lanky frame but needs to add a little more weight, as he is knocked off the puck far too many times when he is in battles along the boards .. his skating is a concern if he's going to move on to the next level, as he needs to improve his foot speed, perhaps through a power skating school course .. at times, he is sound positionally and other times he looks out of position defensively and you wonder if his head is in the game .. may develop into a late-blooming power forward but will likely not be drafted this year, as he needs to work on all parts of the game.

Colton Graff (2008), LW, Chilliwack

Freewheeling power forward likes to throw open-ice hits and plays an up-tempo game .. works hard along the wall looking to fish out loose pucks to pass and set up his line-mates .. needs to work on his defensive game, as he is caught out of position and needs to read plays better .. he needs to make better decisions with the puck in the neutral zone, as he is guilty of too many turnovers .. with his size (6-0, 200), he is a good physical player who likes to mix it up on occasion and throws a good bodycheck along the boards .. it is highly unlikely Colton will be drafted this year, but if he works hard over his remaining junior years, he could be offered a pro tryout in the future.

Brayden Metz (2008), C, Chilliwack

Metz has taken on the roll of shutdown specialist, as he is very adapt at forechecking and generally being a pest to the oppositions' top lines on many a night .. decent size (6-0, 175) and his work ethic is second to none, however his skating is a concern for the next level .. he always works hard and likes to lead by example for the rest of his teammates, something that has not gone unnoticed by the coaching staff .. he has shown some offensive upside to go along with his grit but has to learn where to make the right play at the right moment, which should come with time .. the jury is out as to whether Metz will be a late round pick or not be drafted at all this season, but there is no knocking his desire to compete.

David Robinson (2008), LW, Chilliwack

Diminutive forward (5-10, 170) with good speed and a quick release for a shot .. has to show more consistency in his game .. needs adjustments to his defensive game where he often does not tie up his opposing checker, which leads to scoring opportunities for the opposition .. reads the play well and forechecks hard, but needs to add a little weight to his frame, as he is easily knocked around .. makes good first pass and goes to the net looking for tip ins with his stick down and is willing to take some extra punishment in front of the net to make a play .. scouts have some concern about his size, so that may be a determining factor in whether any team drafts him or not.

Jeff Einhorn (2008), D, Chilliwack

Plays a simple game and does not take big chances preferring to look after his own end first .. an average skater with a short stride and decent speed .. needs to work on his shot, as it's not at this time what you would consider pro-caliber .. has great hockey sense and makes the smart play out of his zone when the pressure is on .. outlet passes are usually on the money and he always looks before making decisions with the puck .. not blessed with great size (5-11, 175), he is not afraid to mix it up physically but prides himself in not taking bad penalties like some of his teammates do .. needs to work on his overall consistency and competitiveness level, as some nights he's brilliant and other nights you wonder if he's even out there .. could be a little underrated at this level and will likely not be drafted this season

Matt Strong (2008), D, Chilliwack

This is Strong's third team he has played for and he is only 17 .. he needs to work on his skating, as it is a concern if he is going to move on to the next level .. must make better decisions with the puck, as he makes many unforced errors when he actually had plenty of time to make the right play .. his outlet passes are erratic and only good 50 percent of the time because he lacks the confidence and poise at his young age but that will come with time .. he is a good physical presence at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, as he delivers solid bodychecks and a willingness to mix it up to help spark his tea .. he has an average shot and must work on his velocity and accuracy .. still needs a lot of work to compete at the next level.