Hockey is back (finally) and the new National Hockey League kicked things off with their annual draft held this past Saturday at the Westin Hotel in Ottawa. Columbus, courtesy of the draft lottery, selected sixth and tabbed Vancouver Giant (WHL) center Gilbert Brule along with seven other players. In the following paragraphs we take a look at the Blue Jacket’s 2005 draft picks.
Round 1, Pick # 6--Gilbert Brule
Team: Vancouver (WHL)
Position: Center
Height/Weight: 5’10, 175 lbs.
Age: 18
Ranked: Central Scouting #5 North American Skaters; McKeen’s
Hockey.com #4 Overall
Analysis: Brule tallied 39 goals and 48 assists with 169 penalty minutes in 70 games played and was named a WHL First Team All-Star. Brule was also named MVP at the 2004 Top Prospects Game where he scored three goals and added an assist to lead team Cherry to an 8-4 win.
Despite his less than prototypical size Brule is considered close to
being the complete package. Heading into 2004 Brule was the consensus number
two selection behind Crosby, but fell somewhat. An above average skater with
unbelievable hands and a laser for a shot, Brule completes the gambit with
his ability to also play with an edge. Described by McKeen’s Hockey.com as a
lock to become a star in the NHL. McKeen’s also adds that few players at any
level display as much fire in his game as Brule and he does it on every
shift. Not hard to see why Brule is a personal favorite of outspoken HNIC
personality Don Cherry. Crunch Impact: Very likely to be another in a long line of former
Columbus first round selections that never make a stopover in Syracuse.
Brule would need to really wow the C-Bus brass in camp in order to stay with
the Jackets this season, especially under the new CBA rules. Look for him to
spend another season in the WHL and maybe make a brief appearance with the
Crunch at the end of the year when his junior season concludes.
Round 2, Pick #55--Adam McQuaid
Team: Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
Position: Defense
Height/Weight: 6’3”, 197 lbs.
Age:18
Rankings: Central Scouting #30 NA Skaters; McKeen’s Hockey.com #63
Overall
Analysis: McQuaid finished 2004 with three goals, 16 assists and 98 penalty minutes in 66 games with Sudbury. Played under the radar somewhat thanks to talented teammates and fellow first round selections Benoit Pouliot (4th overall pick to Rangers) and Marc Staal (12th overall to Rangers). Doesn’t possess the quickest of first steps, but moves very well for a player his size and also uses that size quite effectively when necessary.
McQuaid also makes sound decisions with the puck and is very capable when it comes to making a breakout pass. McKeen’s describes one of McQuaid’s strength’s is the fact that he knows his limitations and doesn’t take unnecessary risks, a trait that is reflected in his team leading +31 in plus/minus. Crunch Impact: McQuaid will suit up for Sudbury for at least one more season and possibly two, but he is exactly the type of player who will cut his teeth for a few seasons at the AHL level before attempting to make his way to the big stage. Look for McQuaid and his 6’3” frame to patrol the blueline for the Crunch in either ’06 or ’07.
Round 3, Pick #67--Kris Russell
Team:Medicine Hat (WHL)
Position: Defense
Height/Weight: 5’10”, 160 lbs.
Age: 18
Rankings: Central Scouting #95 NA Skaters
Analysis: Russell potted 26 goals and 35 assists in 72 games with the Tigers last season. His 26 goals were the most for a defenseman in the WHL and his 61 points were third best among blueliners in the league. Played a good portion of the season on a pairing with Chicago Blackhawk prospect and number three overall selection from 2004, Cam Barker.
Described as a simply beautiful skater who looks effortless when skating in any direction by McKeen’s, Russell also has a little bit of Aaron Johnson in him in that he tends to gamble too often and that can get him in trouble. Russell’s size, or lack there of it, also could be a concern. Definitely needs to add some strength, but plays bigger than size suggests. Russell was also a mainstay on the Tigers power play and his ability to quarterback the power play is definitely a plus. Crunch Impact: Like McQuaid, Russell should hone his game at the AHL level for a few years once he makes the jump to the professional ranks. Would make an interesting paring with fellow draft pick McQuaid.
Round 4, Pick #101--Jared Boll
Team: Lincoln Stars (USHL)
Position: Right Wing
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 190 lbs.
Age: 19
Rankings: Central Scouting #187 NA Skaters
Analysis: Tallied 23 goals and 24 assists with 294 penalty minutes in 59 games last season with the Stars. Known as a gritty, hard-nosed type player, Columbus sent the rights to defenseman Derrick Walser and a 2006 4th round selection to Carolina for pick used to select Boll.
McKeen’s describes Boll has a Joey Kocur type player in that he is a gritty intense worker who is not afraid to fight larger players. McKeen’s adds that Boll has some skills and that he has the potential to be a power forward who can also chuck the mitts if he continues to develop his skating. Reports have him playing for Plymouth of the OHL next season. Crunch Impact: Boll is a project and is more than a few years away from inking a professional deal. Could be an interesting package if development continues.
Round 5, Pick 131--Tomas Popperle
Team: Sparta Praha (Czech Elite League)
Position: Goaltender
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 187 lbs.
Age: 20
Rankings: Unranked by Central Scouting
Analysis: Popperle led the Czech Extraliga in goals against average
(1.58) and save percentage (.948) in 2004. He finished the year with a
15-9-1 record and posted four shutouts. A real late bloomer after being
passed over in the previous two drafts, Popperle burst onto the scene in
mid-November after taking over Sparta’s goaltending duties from injured
starter Petr Briza.
Popperle also made headlines this past December when he found himself between the pipes for Sparta at the Spengler Cup, beating out Colorado Avalanche netminder David Aebischer for the job. Popperle backstopped Sparta to the final before losing 2-0 to the home team, HC Davos. Could be a real find for the Jackets, especially in round five. Crunch Impact: One of the more interesting selections for the Jackets when it comes to the Crunch. Already 20 years old, Popperle is eligible for play in the AHL right away. When he actually will come over is anyone guess, but odds are his North American debut will occur at the AHL level.
Round 6, Pick #177--Derek Reinhart
Team: Regina Pats (WHL)
Position: Defense
Height/Weight: 6’3”, 205 lbs.
Age: 18
Ranked: Unranked by Central Scouting in their final rankings; was
227th among NA Skaters at mid-term.
Analysis: Tallied two goals and nine assists to go along with 198 penalty minutes last season with the Pats. Good size and uses that size to wear down opponents over the course of sixty minutes. Nothing flashy about Reinhart’s game, but has the potential to develop into a decent stay at home defenseman who won’t hesitate to drop the gloves. Crunch Impact: At only 18 years old Reinhart will look to develop for a few more season in the WHL before moving on to greener pastures. May possibly don a Crunch sweater in ’07.
Round 6, Pick #189--Kirill Starkov
Team: Frolunda (Swedish Junior League)
Position: Center
Height/Weight: 6’0”, 188 lbs.
Age: 18
Ranked: Central Scouting #33 overall European Skaters; McKeen’s
Hockey.com #46 overall
Analysis: Russian born, Starkov moved to Denmark and played for Frolunda in Sweden where he recorded 18 goals, 12 assists and six penalty minutes in 34 games. Opinions vary on Starkov. Some scouts can’t get past his lack of two-way play while others are enamored with his excellent skating and stickhandling skills.
McKeen’s for one is very high on Starkov and they ranked him 46th overall. That places him ahead of more known prospects like Dan Fritsche’s brother Tom (ranked 48th) and University of Michigan center T.J. Hensick. McKeen’s even had Starkov ranked 16 spots ahead of Columbus’ second round selection, Adam McQuaid. If there is a sleeper on the Jackets draft board and it is not Popperle, it very well may be Starkov. Crunch Impact: At only 18 years old Starkov is still playing on the junior circuit in Sweden. Will need to graduate to the next level and continue to progress for the Jackets to consider bringing him overseas. Another player who most likely is a few years away from appearing with the Crunch.
Round 7, Pick #201--Trevor Hendrikx
Team: Peterborough (OHL)
Position: Defense
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 205 lbs.
Age: 20
Rankings: Unranked by Central Scouting
Analysis: Originally drafted by the Jackets in 2003, but could not come to terms so he went back into the draft. Tallied one goal and eight assists to go along with 128 pims in 56 games with the Petes. Physically strong enough to make it to the next level, Hendrikx needs to improve his footwork and skating ability to succeed there. Also willing to drop the gloves when needed. Crunch Impact: The player from this class with the best chance of playing with the Crunch this season. Hendrikx meets the age requirement, just not sure if he is ready to make the jump to the AHL. May spend some time with the Bombers before debuting in Syracuse.