WHL Prospect Update
Jozef Balej
NHL Rights: Montreal Canadiens
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Right wing, 5-11, 185 lbs.
2001-02: 44GP, 36-29-65, 32 PIM
The 78th overall pick in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens,
Balej has experienced a breakout year this season in the WHL, presently averaging
nearly 1.5 points per game. A fast and agile skater with tremendous puck control
and a heavy and accurate shot, Balej has benefited from playing with hard-working
center Paul Gaustad (a Buffalo draftee), according to Portland Winter Hawk broadcaster
Dean Vrooman.
"The main things he needs to work on," explains Vrooman, "are
continued commitment to defense and being physical in the defensive zone, which
he has improved a lot this year … and also resisting the temptation to
stay on the perimeter. He isn't that big, so he has to be more determined to
get to the net and he has to keep his feet moving without the puck and battle
through players assigned to shadow him in order to get himself in position to
score."
Nathan Smith
NHL Rights: Vancouver Canucks
Center, 6-2, 192 lbs.
2001-02: 24GP, 10-24-34, 20 PIM
After scoring just 49 points during his 2000 draft year, many Vancouver Canucks
fans questioned the selection of Smith with the 23rd overall pick. However,
since that time Smith has gone a long way toward proving that he will likely
see NHL ice time within a few short years. Following a strong first half last
season, he was invited to the Canadian World Junior evaluation camp, although
he was one of the first cuts from the squad. He continued his strong play to
round out the season by doubling his point total of the previous year, tallying
28 goals and 90 points in 67 games.
An extremely hard-working, defensive, and dedicated hockey player, Smith has
a solid overall skills package, featuring puck control, shots, and skating that
are definitely above average compared to the rest of his WHL opponents. However,
he is not particularly dominating in any area outside of his passing skills,
which may limit the offensive success he has at the professional level.
Michael Garnett
NHL Rights: Atlanta Thrashers
Goaltender, 6-1, 180 lbs.
2001-02: 45GP, 16-24-3, 3.51 GAA, .889 PCT
The 80th overall selection in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft by the Atlanta Thrashers,
Garnett was a steal in the third round and has more potential than most non-first
round picks. A rock between the pipes for the beleaguered Saskatoon Blades,
he has appeared in all but four of his team's 49 games. His statistics for this
season do not give his play the full credit it deserves.
A butterfly goaltender, Garnett has good lateral movement and plays his angles
well. His glove hand is perhaps the quickest in the WHL, and combined with his
athletic ability allows him to make acrobatic saves when called upon. Although
his overall consistency and puckhandling skills still need improvement, he should
eventually reach the NHL.
Andy Thompson
NHL Rights: eligible for 2002 NHL Draft
Defense, 6-2, 187 lbs.
2001-02: 49GP, 0-18-18, 150 PIM
The seventh overall pick in the 1999 WHL Bantam Draft by the Kootenay Ice,
Thompson spent his 15-year-old season with the Western Canadian Bantam Champion
North Delta Sun Devils before graduating to the WHL the next season. In addition
to appearing in 56 games last year, he also was a member of the silver medal-winning
Team Pacific at the 2000-01 World Under-17 Tournament. This past summer Thompson
won gold with Team Canada at the 2001 Six Nations under-18 Tournament in Slovakia,
garnering the honors as the tournament's top defenseman.
"Andy is becoming one of the best all around defenseman in the Western
Hockey League," says Ice head coach Ryan McGill. "He can play in every
situation that you put him in and has done an admirable job in doing so."
On his pro potential, Kootenay general manager Jeff Chynoweth explains, "Andy
has all the tools to be a solid pro player … He has size, skill and toughness
and can adjust his game to be either offensive or defensive depending on the
situation."
Past articles
Jan 17, 2002