WHLs Big Five - 2004 Draft Class

With the 2003 NHL Entry Draft completed and still in the rearview mirror, it is already time to look ahead to the 2004 Draft. While not viewed to be as deep as the class of 2003, 2004 looks to be more top heavy with talent and figures to be a solid year once again for the Western Hockey League. Living up to the usual stereotype that comes with the league at the draft, the WHL appears set to produce another solid crop of defensemen. NHL teams figuring to be looking for help along the blueline will be subjecting their scouts to many long scouting trips to view the continual plethora of draft eligible defensemen. Though the draft is still ten and a half months away, some top talents have emerged to give merit that, once again, the WHL will be a major force on draft day.

Here’s a quick glance at five of the top draft-eligibles from the WHL:

Devan Dubnyk, G, Kamloops Blazers:

Once again Canada figures to produce the marquee goaltender of the draft as Dubnyk, a 6’5, 190lbs behemoth, is already viewed as a solid candidate for a top ten selection. Dubnyk uses his size to his advantage and is very quick up/down when using the butterfly. He is also very strong on breakaways and has proven to stay calm under pressure, a feat which is admirable in a rookie netminder. With the starter job his to lose in 2003-2004, expect Dubnyk to get plenty of action and exposure for the scouts. With his size and ability to get himself square to the shooter, Dubnyk has been compared to Sean Burke of the Phoenix Coyotes and has the potential to be a star netminder at the NHL level.

Cam Barker, D, Medicine Hat Tigers:

Barker had huge shoes to fill when coming to Medicine Hat. With Jay Bouwmeester leaving for the NHL, Barker was expected to step in and instantly become the anchor of what had been a very porous Tigers’ defense. While struggling at times like most freshman do, for Barker it has been mission accomplished. A fluid skater who displays puck poise and has a great outlet pass, Barker has the talent to be the best two-way defenseman in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. Blessed with a strong 6’3, 212 lbs. physique and the intensity to use it, Barker figures to live up to the billing of a defenseman who can be a top two defenseman at the NHL level who has the ability to play any style you want.

Mark Fistric, D, Vancouver Giants:

Fistric can relish in the fact that he lives in Vancouver, which has effectively become the media capital of the WHL. Despite clearly ranking behind Barker and even Mike Card on most draft rankings, Fistric is the most widely known draft eligible player from the WHL at this point. A strong presence in his own zone and someone who can effectively start a rush, he still needs to round out his game if he wants to climb the charts. While possessing the talent to be a rock solid blueliner, Fistric at times still suffers from the occasion gaffe in his own zone, something which had put him in trouble from time to time last season. With the Vancouver blueline ever improving around him, and with the added experience of a year in the spotlight, Fistric figures to take a step forward this year and demonstrate his talents as a strong physical presence. Standing 6’3, 230 lbs., he is capable of playing a very physical style of hockey and is a strong presence already in the locker room, which suggests he has the potential to be a top four defenseman at the NHL level with a possibility of wearing the C someday.

Mike Card, D, Kelowna Rockets:

The rich get richer. Despite a WHL Championship and a trip to the Memorial Cup, the Kelowna Rockets are still seeing the good stuff rolling in. Not only are the Rockets the host of this year’s Memorial Cup, thus guaranteeing them a return trip to the big show, they also have one of the best young blueliners in the WHL doing his part to guarantee them a selection in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft. Due to seeing sometimes sparse minutes on the blueline for the powerhouse Rockets last season, Card has flown under the radar on most people’s lists of threats for a top ten selection. With Tomas Slovak and Duncan Keith looking to be turning pro, plenty of ice time will free up for Card, especially on the powerplay. Standing 6’1 and 195 lbs, he is not known for being a physical presence. While capable of holding his own against larger forwards and in the corners and in front of the net, he’s not going be an overly physical defenseman. The key to how high he might be selected will likely lie in the numbers he produces this season. Despite seeing virtually no powerplay time over the last half of the 2002-2003 season, Card still put up a respectable 29 points in 60 games, including 6 powerplay goals. If he can increase those numbers to coincide with the increased icetime, it could be enough to see him sneak into a top 10-15 selection at the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

John Lammers, LW, Lethbridge Hurricanes:

Lammers is one of the few draft-eligible WHL forwards who have brought attention to themselves prior to the start of the 2003-2004 season. Finishing third in team goal scoring last season despite playing only 48 games, he is expected to emerge this season as an elite sniper for the Hurricanes. He has a chance to crack the opening round of the draft if he gets stronger and improves his defensive play. Lammers has spent time this off-season working with a trainer which should help him become better conditioned, along with improving his first-step quickness, something that will help him at both ends of the ice. If he can put up respectable numbers this season and prove to be a go to guy for the Hurricanes, Lammers should hear his name called in the second round in June.

While this figures to be once again be an excellent draft year for the WHL, the lack of a strong forward group is a down point. With forwards like Lammers as well as Saskatoon’s Joe Barnes, Prince George’s Eric Hunter, and Kelowna’s Blake Comeau, there is depth at the forward position.

However, despite the quantity, there is limited quality at least none that has emerged to the fore as of yet. Time will tell if another Joffrey Lupul or Ryan Getzlaf will come from this draft class, but so far the ’04 contingent appears to be another typical year for the WHL at the NHL Entry Draft, with the blueline leading the way.