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Day 2 Draft Notebook

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Wayne Gretzky, in town as managing partner of the Phoenix Coyotes, held court with the media on Saturday, and among the things he spoke about were the state of the on-ice game itself — particularly, the dearth of scoring. But the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer didn’t seem to as alarmed by the situation as … Read more

A Dream Come True

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There’s a good chance that when the New York Rangers selected Michigan goaltender Al Montoya with the sixth pick in Saturday’s NHL Entry Draft, they realized that they got more than simply a hockey player. Sure he’s a solid goaltender whose numbers have gotten better in his two seasons at Michigan. And his performance in … Read more

Full Agreement: Still a Sioux-Per Program

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No one seemed too alarmed at Day 1 of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft about the departure of Dean Blais from North Dakota — not current Sioux first rounder Drew Stafford, incoming Sioux first-rounder Travis Zajac, or the general manager of the New Jersey Devils, Lou Lamoriello, who once again took a Sioux player in … Read more

Day 1 Draft Notebook

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If there’s anything you can say about the NHL selecting Raleigh, N.C., as the location for this year’s Entry Draft, the city has some pretty passionate fans. That was extremely obvious on day one. Beginning at 10:30 in the morning, fans were flocking into the RBC Center in its general admission sections. Around the arena … Read more

A Who’s Who

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Kris Chucko, headed to Minnesota in the fall, was one of three players taken from the British Columbia Junior League in the first 50 picks of the draft, including his Salmon Arm teammate Travis Zajac and second-round pick Ray Sawada. Chucko, the 24th overall pick by Calgary, was another player whose stock rose quickly since … Read more

Wheeler Shocked, Thrilled at No. 5 Pick

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When team Managing Partner Wayne Gretzky stepped to the podium to make Phoenix’s first-round selection in the 2004 NHL Draft, the crowd of mostly Carolina Hurricanes fans, draft prospects and their families, stood to salute ‘The Great One’ with a rousing, heartfelt ovation. Just moments later, the reaction changed to agape jaws when Gretzky announced … Read more

Montoya Heads Collegiate Blue-Chippers At NHL Draft

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In terms of college hockey’s place at this year’s National Hockey League Entry Draft, right now we’re looking at the power of three. In a year that might be one of the weakest for collegiate first-rounders, three prospects stand head and shoulders above the rest. Michigan goaltender Al Montoya — the top-rated North American goaltender … Read more

Weighing In: MacLean, Stafford React To Blais’ Jump To NHL

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Less than 24 hours after USCHO.com first reported that North Dakota head coach Dean Blais was headed to the NHL, the news is official. The Columbus Blue Jackets announced Blais as their associate head coach under newly-appointed head coach Gerard Gallant Friday, one day before this year’s NHL Entry Draft begins in Raleigh, N.C. Blais … Read more

Borer Taking It One Step At A Time

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When the NHL’s Central Scouting Service released its buzz-creating list of prospects for the upcoming entry draft, the casual hockey fan might have been surprised to see that St. Cloud State’s Casey Borer was near the top. Borer, one of 27 players with ties to the WCHA listed in the North American skater ranking, was … Read more

Lundin Evolving Into Elite Blueliner

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It really won’t be an earth-shattering surprise to any of his friends, teammates or coaches if and when Maine defenseman Mike Lundin hears his name called June 26 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, N.C. The 19-year-old Lundin is projected by the NHL’s Central Scouting Bureau as a second-rounder in the NHL Entry Draft, and … Read more

Wisconsin Trio Carries Plenty Of Draft Promise

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At first glance, it might seem that the WCHA was lagging behind in the race to produce NHL-caliber talent. After all, the conference produced just five Central Scouting-ranked players this year, the fewest of any major. In reality, however, the opposite is true. With nearly 50 percent of the WCHA comprised of players from the … Read more

Winnik Thrilled With NHL Draft Attention

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It doesn’t really matter if his boyhood favorites — the Toronto Maple Leafs — come calling on NHL draft day, New Hampshire center Daniel Winnik is just excited to think about the possibilities. “The dream would be to play in Toronto, but I’m not really one of those guys who cares where they play,” said … Read more

Colgate’s Wilson Puts Emphasis On ‘D’

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When Colgate turned its seventh- place finish in 2002-03 into this year’s ECAC regular- season championship, league observers had to give the Raiders their due. And professional scouts couldn’t help but take notice of Kyle Wilson. The 6-foot, 200-pound forward from London, Ontario, improved his all-around play markedly between his freshman and sophomore seasons. At … Read more

Draft Day Only the Beginning For Thelen, Booth

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The day the [nl]Minnesota North Stars bolted his home state for Texas was the day a young A.J. Thelen stopped worrying about where he might play some day in the NHL. All he began to care about was getting there. “I have no real favorite now,” said Thelen, a standout defenseman for Michigan State. “Once … Read more

O’Neill Preps For Draft With Cautious Optimism

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Notre Dame freshman defenseman Wes O’Neill has tried hard to keep in perspective this month’s NHL Entry Draft and his place in it. He’s excited, because it’s one step toward realizing a childhood dream. But he tempered that enthusiasm with the knowledge that it is, indeed, just one step. “It will be an honor to … Read more

Ihnacak Focuses On Sophomore Progress

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On June 26 or 27, Brian Ihnacak will hear his name, put on a CCM hat, and smile for a picture. And his rights will belong to an NHL organization. Afterwards, he’ll likely play three more seasons at Brown. Then the American League. Maybe the NHL. At every stage, the Toronto native will have a … Read more

Green’s ‘D’ Hoping High Draft Wish Granted

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Little known fact about Dartmouth defenseman ‘D,’ Grant Lewis: His first name really is ‘D.’ It’s not something uncommon like “Donovan” or “Darius.” It’s not even something run-of-the-mill like “Daniel” or “David.” Not anymore. “My dad wanted it to be ‘Dave’ before I was born,” Lewis said, “and my mom wanted it to be ‘D.’ … Read more

Birnstill, Caron Put Draft on Hold

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Mike Lundin and Daniel Winnik might be sharing the spotlight as the only current Hockey East players trumpeted as NHL draft material this year, but many others with ties to the league have appeared on the NHL Central Scouting Bureau’s radar screen. A pair of true 18-year-old freshmen, defenseman Steve Birnstill of Northeastern (ranked 61st … Read more