All-time Draft # 5b - The Minor League

[BM67]

One guy left undrafted through all 5 drafts that would be considered a gem: Mickey MacKay, the PCHA's all-time leading scorer, and a 10 time all-star in the PCHA, WCHL/WHL

http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p195205&type=Player&page=bio&list=ByName

 

[BM67]

Here is a team of undrafted players using only players with names starting with M.

Coach: Al MacNeil – Stanley Cup winner with a winning record in both the regular season and playoffs
http://www.calgaryflames.com/cgi-bin/news/comments.cgi?type=newsroom&file_num=0000000702

Goal:

Cesare Maniago – played 568 games in a 15 year NHL career, twice led in NHL playoff shutouts
http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=18605

Greg Millen – 5 times played over 3000 minutes in a season, played 604 games in a 14 year career
http://www.hockeygoalies.org/bio/millen.html

Paddy Moran – HHoF member, won consecutive Stanley Cups with the Quebec Bulldogs in 1912 and 1913, one of the best pre-NHL goalies
http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p195815&type=Player&page=bio&list=ByYear

Johnny Mowers – 1st team all-star, Vezina and Stanley Cup winner in 1943
http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=18636

Defense:

Dave Maloney - rugged, aggressive defender who liked to hit, and always played hard, former Rangers captain. brother of Don
http://www.hockeydraftcentral.com/1974/74014.html

Brad Marsh - an awkward skater, but a strong, determined and enthusiastic defender
http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=11026

Richard Matvichuk - rock solid, stay-at-home defenseman, key player in Dallas' Cup win and Finals return in 1999 & 2000
http://www.nhlpa.com/WebStats/PlayerBiography.asp?ID=3626

Mike McEwen - an offensive defenseman who helped the Rangers reach the Final in 79, and the Islanders win 3 Stanley Cups
http://www.hockeydraftcentral.com/1976/76042.html

Mike Milbury - a tenacious defender who helped the Bruins reach the Final in 77 & 78, and was a key leader on their early 80's teams
http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=13732

Boris Mironov - a big, mobile, and hard hitting offensive defenseman. brother of Dimitri
http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=11126

Dimitri Mironov - an offensive puck mover, he won Olympic gold with Russia in 92, and a Stanley Cup with Detroit in 98. brother of Boris
http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=11127

Randy Moller - enforcer and defensive defenseman
http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=11137

Center:
Mickey MacKay - a slick skater and masterful puck handler, the PCHA's all-time leading scorer, and a 10 time all-star in the PCHA, WCHL/WHL, also played rover and right wing
http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p195205&type=Player&page=bio&list=ByName

Pit Martin – a small but rugged two-way player, 1970 Masterton trophy winner, had 61 assists and 90 points in 1972-73
http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=13551

Walt McKechnie - a strong playmaker and solid cornerman, led Detroit in points in 75-76 with 82, and his 56 assists were the 4th highest in team history at the time
http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=13652

Pierre Mondou - a solid checker and penalty killer with offensive talent, won 3 Stanley Cups with Montreal, had 72 points and was a sparkling +59 in 78-79
http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=13765

Troy Murray - a tenacious checker, with the skating ability to stick with his mark, and make a quick transition to the offence, captained Canada's first gold medal winner at the World Jr. Championships, racked up 45 goals and 99 points while winning the Selke in 86
http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=11168

Right Wing:
Al MacAdam – rated as 2nd best back-checker and most underrated player in 1980 players poll, scored 42 goals and 93 points in 1979-80 and won the Masterton Trophy
http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=13450

Paul MacLean - powerplay specialist, twice led Winnipeg in playoff goals, set then NHL record with 3 OT goals in 83-84
http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=13475

Bob MacMillan – a versatile forward who played all 3 positions, a hustling two-way player who racked up 71 assists, 108 points and the Lady Byng in 78-79
http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=13478

Randy McKay - a mean, scrappy grinder, who began his career as an enforcer but became a solid footsoldier with a decent scoring touch who helped the Devils win 2 Stanley Cups
http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=11077

Glen Murray – a big horse up front, a two-time 40 goal scorer, finished 5th in goals and 7th in points in 2002-03
http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=11163

Dan Maloney
Don Maloney
John Marks
Brad May
Kelly Miller

 

[God Bless Canada]

Excellent work, BM. I had Martin, Murray and Mondou on my list for potential centres. I think the centre position was the only one with any sort of depth remaining. Some decent depth at right wing, too. (Milan Hejduk, I believe, was still out there. A Rocket Richard winner and a big-time performance in the 2001 playoffs. I'd take him ahead of Murray). Randy McKay would be a nice option on the right side of any checking line.

As for the best coach available, I'd go with Jack Adams or Brian Kilrea. (I was hoping to land Kilrea or Dwight McMillian [2nd all-time in Canadian junior hockey victories and a rightful member of the HHOF] with my final pick, but I couldn't pass on the ultra-successful Imlach).

But when I see guys like Miller and May among the available left wings, and the Mironovs on defence, it re-affirms my belief that talent was scarce on the blue-line entering the minor league draft, and non-existent after the draft.

 

[Spitfire11]

But when I see guys like Miller and May among the available left wings, and the Mironovs on defence, it re-affirms my belief that talent was scarce on the blue-line entering the minor league draft, and non-existent after the draft.

Yeah, that's pretty bad seeing the Mironov's there. A few other defensemen I had down were Joe Watson, Dallas Smith, Don Awrey, and Barry Ashbee.

 

[God Bless Canada]

Yeah, that's pretty bad seeing the Mironov's there. A few other defensemen I had down were Joe Watson, Dallas Smith, Don Awrey, and Barry Ashbee.

Dallas Smith was nabbed by reckoning at about the midway point in the draft. I would have picked him before Ozolinsh or McSorley. Smith was a rock solid defensive defenceman who was good enough to play with Bobby Orr. And he's an Estevan Bruins alumnist. You can't beat that.

 

[BM67]

Well as I said this just the guys that have a name starting with M, and I went with the Mironov's just so I could have two sets of brothers. The other defensemen I had on the list were Vladimir Malakov, Bryan Maxwell, Harry Mummery and Moe Mantha. Even with the Mironov brothers in the stands, I'd take that D over what Carolina and Buffalo had this year.

As for strengthening the left side, I could move MacAdam and MacMillan to LW, and move Mickey MacKay to RW.

A few names to throw out there: Nick Libett, Al Arbour, Taffy Abel, Bruce Driver and Terry Ruskowski.

 

[God Bless Canada]

Well as I said this just the guys that have a name starting with M, and I went with the Mironov's just so I could have two sets of brothers. The other defensemen I had on the list were Vladimir Malakov, Bryan Maxwell, Harry Mummery and Moe Mantha. Even with the Mironov brothers in the stands, I'd take that D over what Carolina and Buffalo had this year.

As for strengthening the left side, I could move MacAdam and MacMillan to LW, and move Mickey MacKay to RW.

A few names to throw out there: Nick Libett, Al Arbour, Taffy Abel, Bruce Driver and Terry Ruskowski.

I can't believe I didn't even pick up on the M connection. How embarassing. Anyways, good job on NOT including Vladimir Malakhov. Million dollar skills, and nothing to go with it. One of the biggest underachievers I have ever seen. He should have scored 20-25 goals per season just with the shot alone. Moe Mantha was actually a halfway decent defenceman for a while.

But I stand by my claim that there isn't much to choose from among the defencemen.

 

[BM67]

Gordie Roberts, Garry Galley, Bob Murray, Doug Crossman, Jerry Korab and Harold Snepsts to add to the names already mentioned.

 

[reckoning]

Interesting list by BM on the "M" team. When you look at the players in a small group like that you see that are so many good picks still out there.

I tried to an "A" team but there wasn`t really enough talent. However a "B" team doesn`t look too bad:

Buzz Boll - Andy Blair - Helmet Balderis
Andre Boudrias - Gus Bodnar - Mud Bruneteau
Dave Balon - Daniel Briere - Serge Bernier
Curt Bennett - Mel Bridgman - Kelly Buchberger

Tom Bladon - Dave Burrows
Jeff Beukeboom - Bryan Berard
Fred Barrett - Dan Boyle

Dan Bouchard
Don Beaupre

Michel Bergeron (coach)

Not a bunch of world-beaters, but could easily hold their own in today`s NHL.