RHL17 Entry Draft Review
After the dust settled on the draft floor, the Grande Prairie Stingers came away with four players to add to their list of prospects.
Derick BrassardDOB: Sep 22, 1987
Age: 19
Place of Birth: Hull, Que., Canada
HT: 6-0 WT: 180
Shoots: L
Drafted: 1st Rd, 8th overall
Scouting Report
On our mid-season prospect rating, he was higher than some of the more prominent players that were taken earlier in the draft. Derick has been one of the most exciting player in the QMJHL for the last two seasons. I think his draft stock has fallen a bit because he was injured for most of the 06-07 season. He came back strong, and was producing close to two points a game. He will be looked upon to challenge for the top two center positions in a few years. He has excellent on ice vision, a dynamic skater and playmaker, and has very accurate wrist and slap shots. His defensive game is already quite good, but he will need to gain more strength against the stronger RHL defensemens. The team will bring him along slowly, but he will get a long look at camp. He will likely be sent back to Juniors or our minor league affiliate in Tucson until he is ready.
Career Potential: First Line Center
On our mid-season prospect rating, he was higher than some of the more prominent players that were taken earlier in the draft. Derick has been one of the most exciting player in the QMJHL for the last two seasons. I think his draft stock has fallen a bit because he was injured for most of the 06-07 season. He came back strong, and was producing close to two points a game. He will be looked upon to challenge for the top two center positions in a few years. He has excellent on ice vision, a dynamic skater and playmaker, and has very accurate wrist and slap shots. His defensive game is already quite good, but he will need to gain more strength against the stronger RHL defensemens. The team will bring him along slowly, but he will get a long look at camp. He will likely be sent back to Juniors or our minor league affiliate in Tucson until he is ready.
Career Potential: First Line Center
Shane O'BrienDOB: Aug 09, 1983
Age: 23
Place of Birth: Port Hope, Ont., Canada
HT: 6-2 WT: 237
Shoots: L
Drafted: 2nd Rd, 47th overall
Scouting Report
O'Brien was still on the board in the middle of the second round, and we knew we had to act quickly to get him. We traded Eminger earlier in the day believing that we can still get Shane later in the draft. He would not have lasted until we picked again early in the third round. We are very happy to have Shane in our organization, but I think we might have frustrated a few teams with this selection. He's a gritty blueliner who uses his size effectively, and can intimidate the opposition. Our coaching staff will be challenging him to rush the puck more often, and developing the offensive side of his game. Our scouts have seem glimpses of his offensive potential, and he will be given some power play time if he can contribute. He is quite a complete player, but he will need some polishing if he is to log bigger minutes on the ice. We think that he is at least a year away, but may get a call-up or two if there are injuries to our team.
Career Potential: Top Four Defensemen
O'Brien was still on the board in the middle of the second round, and we knew we had to act quickly to get him. We traded Eminger earlier in the day believing that we can still get Shane later in the draft. He would not have lasted until we picked again early in the third round. We are very happy to have Shane in our organization, but I think we might have frustrated a few teams with this selection. He's a gritty blueliner who uses his size effectively, and can intimidate the opposition. Our coaching staff will be challenging him to rush the puck more often, and developing the offensive side of his game. Our scouts have seem glimpses of his offensive potential, and he will be given some power play time if he can contribute. He is quite a complete player, but he will need some polishing if he is to log bigger minutes on the ice. We think that he is at least a year away, but may get a call-up or two if there are injuries to our team.
Career Potential: Top Four Defensemen
Jan MursakDOB: Jan 20, 1988
Age: 19
Place of Birth: Maribor, Slovenia
HT: 5-11 WT: 173
Shoots: R
Drafted: 3rd Rd, 66th overall
Scouting Report
We have heard Jan's name popping up every now and then during our scouting trips around the OHL. He is one player that can draw fans to the rink every night. He is a spunky, hardworking, and intense player. You may think that he might be another European player with supreme skill, but plays like a marshmallow, Jan is far from that. He is super competitive, and he is not afraid to get his nose dirty. His skating would be one of his greatest assets, but his stick handling is also at a high level. Although he is more of a play maker than a scorer, he is quite capable at putting the puck in the net. Like most players his age, he will need to fill out his frame, and become a lot stronger. We have seen Jan play alongside Anze (Kopitar) at the World Under-20 championship, and we hope that they can find success again playing as line-mates in a Stingers uniform.
Career Potential: Second Line winger
We have heard Jan's name popping up every now and then during our scouting trips around the OHL. He is one player that can draw fans to the rink every night. He is a spunky, hardworking, and intense player. You may think that he might be another European player with supreme skill, but plays like a marshmallow, Jan is far from that. He is super competitive, and he is not afraid to get his nose dirty. His skating would be one of his greatest assets, but his stick handling is also at a high level. Although he is more of a play maker than a scorer, he is quite capable at putting the puck in the net. Like most players his age, he will need to fill out his frame, and become a lot stronger. We have seen Jan play alongside Anze (Kopitar) at the World Under-20 championship, and we hope that they can find success again playing as line-mates in a Stingers uniform.
Career Potential: Second Line winger
David ClarksonDOB: March 31, 1984
Age: 23
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario
HT: 6'1 WT: 205
Shoots: R
Drafted: 3rd Rd, 82nd overall
Scouting Report
Clarkson just came on our draft board recently. He may not be a prospect that is on every teams' radar, but our scouts cannot help but notice him whenever they check into Bergfors' (drafted 1st rd, RHL16) development in Lowell. David has all around upside, and he can play all three forward positions. His offensive potential may be limited, but given the right line mates, we believe that he can bang in a few pucks given his willingness to crash the net. He plays with great passion, never afraid to take the body, and hardly ever takes a shift off. He is a feisty and fiery leader that our coaches will be counting on to play the important minutes come playoff time.
Career Potential:Third Line Winger
Clarkson just came on our draft board recently. He may not be a prospect that is on every teams' radar, but our scouts cannot help but notice him whenever they check into Bergfors' (drafted 1st rd, RHL16) development in Lowell. David has all around upside, and he can play all three forward positions. His offensive potential may be limited, but given the right line mates, we believe that he can bang in a few pucks given his willingness to crash the net. He plays with great passion, never afraid to take the body, and hardly ever takes a shift off. He is a feisty and fiery leader that our coaches will be counting on to play the important minutes come playoff time.
Career Potential:Third Line Winger
Labels: D.Brassard, D.Clarkson, draft, J.Mursak, S.O'Brien
posted by KosMike at Monday, July 23, 2007
1 Comments:
I think Clarkson's performance will determine if this is a good or great draft for you. Good job getting this type of potential this late.
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