HFNHL Commish
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- Feb 28, 2002
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Coming into the 2006 HFNHL Entry Draft, few knew what to expect from the Mighty Ducks. Team GM Matt Gledhill was fairly public in sharing his belief that the incoming class was a below-average one, especially beyond the 12th pick or so. Without any obvious, glaring need at any particular position - although certainly lacking true top-flight forward and goaltending prospects - the Ducks appeared set to approach the draft with a classic BPA mentality. Here's how Day 1 played out:
Round 1, Pick #17 - LW/C Mike Forney, Thief River Falls (MN) HS
Ranked 24th in THN's Hot 100, and 26th in ISS' list of the Top 30 skaters in the draft, the selection of Forney signified a bit of a change in strategy for the Ducks as compared to years past. Given a need in goal, plus the team's recent penchant for drafting Finns (Petteri Nokelainen in 2004, Teemu Laakso and Perttu Lindgren in 2005), it would have been reasonable to expect Riku Helenius to be selected with this pick. That said, Gledhill had set forth a mandate prior to the draft that the scouting staff be more willing to accept risks in pursuit of greater rewards. As such, when the Ducks' final draft list was compiled, the 6'2", 185-pound Forney was ranked 13th. One year ago, the Ducks might have selected a more projectable, two-way forward like Ryan White or Jamie McGinn in this position. Instead, the team drafted the first-ever high school player in its history.
Trade with Columbus - Columbus' 2006 1st for Anaheim's 2006 2nd, 2006 3rd, and 2007 3rd
A typical draft-day deal where a team drafting at the end of the 1st round doesn't have anyone they're in love with fall into their lap, and thus decides to drop down a bit in the draft in order to accumulate a few extra picks. In this case, the Ducks were happy to oblige the Blue Jackets.
Round 1, Pick #28 - D David Fischer, Apple Valley (MN) HS
Just like that, the Ducks drafted the second high school player in their history. Ranked 25th in THN's Hot 100, and the 2006 recipient of Minnesota's Mr. Hockey award (2005 winner was Brian Lee), the Ducks were a little surprised to see a defenseman with Fischer's qualities available late in the 1st round, hence the trade with Columbus. Once again, the Ducks went a little against type in selecting the 6'3", 185-pound Fischer over future University of Michigan teammates Chris Summers and Mark Mitera. In Fischer, the Ducks see a prospect that's able to carry the puck with speed, has a projectable frame, and has top-pairing upside without the defensive question marks plaguing a few other selections. With Niklas Kronwall and Jack Johnson ahead of him in the system, the Ducks should be able to allow Fischer ample time to develop.
Trade with Carolina - Carolina's 2006 1st for D Tom Poti
The Ducks and the Hurricanes had been discussing a potential trade involving Poti for quite some time. Given the status of Brian Rafalski and Marek Zidlicky as the team's PP quarterbacks, the Ducks were never entirely comfortable with playing Poti on their 3rd pairing. From a pure talent standpoint, Poti still had a place in the Ducks' top six. That said, with John Tortorella resolute in pairing both Rafalski and Zidlicky with defensive defensemen, Poti figures to be better off in Raleigh.
Round 1, Pick #30 - RW Michael Grabner, Spokane (WHL)
Breaking yet more ground, the Ducks used the pick acquired from Carolina to make Grabner the first Austrian drafted in the team's history. Ranked 29th in THN's Hot 100, and 24th in ISS' list of the Top 30 skaters in the draft, Grabner easily led the worst team in the WHL in goals scored, with 36. At the time this pick was made, the Ducks still had one player available to them, Mark Mitera, that was ranked ahead of Grabner on the team's draft list. However, for a team that was expected to have a relatively quiet day, the Grabner selection is representative of the fact that Gledhill's draft strategy was rapidly evolving from the moment the Forney pick was actually made. All told, Grabner is an electrifying scorer with a nose for the net. It will be up to the Ducks staff to help him showcase his talents on a more consistent basis.
Round 1, Pick #17 - LW/C Mike Forney, Thief River Falls (MN) HS
Ranked 24th in THN's Hot 100, and 26th in ISS' list of the Top 30 skaters in the draft, the selection of Forney signified a bit of a change in strategy for the Ducks as compared to years past. Given a need in goal, plus the team's recent penchant for drafting Finns (Petteri Nokelainen in 2004, Teemu Laakso and Perttu Lindgren in 2005), it would have been reasonable to expect Riku Helenius to be selected with this pick. That said, Gledhill had set forth a mandate prior to the draft that the scouting staff be more willing to accept risks in pursuit of greater rewards. As such, when the Ducks' final draft list was compiled, the 6'2", 185-pound Forney was ranked 13th. One year ago, the Ducks might have selected a more projectable, two-way forward like Ryan White or Jamie McGinn in this position. Instead, the team drafted the first-ever high school player in its history.
Trade with Columbus - Columbus' 2006 1st for Anaheim's 2006 2nd, 2006 3rd, and 2007 3rd
A typical draft-day deal where a team drafting at the end of the 1st round doesn't have anyone they're in love with fall into their lap, and thus decides to drop down a bit in the draft in order to accumulate a few extra picks. In this case, the Ducks were happy to oblige the Blue Jackets.
Round 1, Pick #28 - D David Fischer, Apple Valley (MN) HS
Just like that, the Ducks drafted the second high school player in their history. Ranked 25th in THN's Hot 100, and the 2006 recipient of Minnesota's Mr. Hockey award (2005 winner was Brian Lee), the Ducks were a little surprised to see a defenseman with Fischer's qualities available late in the 1st round, hence the trade with Columbus. Once again, the Ducks went a little against type in selecting the 6'3", 185-pound Fischer over future University of Michigan teammates Chris Summers and Mark Mitera. In Fischer, the Ducks see a prospect that's able to carry the puck with speed, has a projectable frame, and has top-pairing upside without the defensive question marks plaguing a few other selections. With Niklas Kronwall and Jack Johnson ahead of him in the system, the Ducks should be able to allow Fischer ample time to develop.
Trade with Carolina - Carolina's 2006 1st for D Tom Poti
The Ducks and the Hurricanes had been discussing a potential trade involving Poti for quite some time. Given the status of Brian Rafalski and Marek Zidlicky as the team's PP quarterbacks, the Ducks were never entirely comfortable with playing Poti on their 3rd pairing. From a pure talent standpoint, Poti still had a place in the Ducks' top six. That said, with John Tortorella resolute in pairing both Rafalski and Zidlicky with defensive defensemen, Poti figures to be better off in Raleigh.
Round 1, Pick #30 - RW Michael Grabner, Spokane (WHL)
Breaking yet more ground, the Ducks used the pick acquired from Carolina to make Grabner the first Austrian drafted in the team's history. Ranked 29th in THN's Hot 100, and 24th in ISS' list of the Top 30 skaters in the draft, Grabner easily led the worst team in the WHL in goals scored, with 36. At the time this pick was made, the Ducks still had one player available to them, Mark Mitera, that was ranked ahead of Grabner on the team's draft list. However, for a team that was expected to have a relatively quiet day, the Grabner selection is representative of the fact that Gledhill's draft strategy was rapidly evolving from the moment the Forney pick was actually made. All told, Grabner is an electrifying scorer with a nose for the net. It will be up to the Ducks staff to help him showcase his talents on a more consistent basis.
