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incoming!!!
- Mar 1, 2002
- 66,220
- 12,182
With 5 picks in the first 81 selections, but only 2 in last 4 rounds, the Wild draft was top heavy in talent. Here is a quick review
1st round-Selection #7-Karl Alzner D (actually selected 5th)
Minnesota has him rated higher and was pleased to see him at #7. The best defenseman in the draft is big(6'2'' 210#) and mobile. He put up 47 points in 63 games for the Hitmen in Calgary last year. He is a great leader who can take charge of a locker room as well. Slam dunk, home run, pick your metaphor, we are thrilled that he was there.
2nd round-Selection # 39 Patrick White F (actually selected 25th) We were thrilled that this very talented forward was available in round 2. The A.P. Minnesota High School player of the year will be a Gopher for UMinn this coming year. After his stellar high school career, he scored 8 goals in just 12 games in the USHL. He then added 5 points in the WJC and was a very impressive +5. He has time to grow into his 6'1'' 190 frame.
2nd round-Selection # 59 Trevor Cann G (actually selected 49th) He was very impressive at the WJC this year, and he really jumped up our charts. Stuck on a very poor Peterborough squad, he was often helpless in net, but stood on his head many times just to keep the Petes in the game. We are somewhat shallow in depth in our organization, and Trevor really had a chance to progress quickly.
3rd round-Selection #67 Yannick Weber D (actually selected 73rd) This Swiss blueliner has TONS of offensive skill. 13 goals and 28 assists in 51 games for Kitchener in his first year in North America points to that skill. Yes, he's only 5'10'', so he will need to work in his own end for sure, but we like his potential. We can see a Brian Rafalski-type as his upside.
3rd round-Selection #81 Ben Ryan F (actually selected 114th) This speedy forward scored 22 goals and added 42 assists in 59 games for Des Moines in the USHL. He will play for Notre Dame next year, where he will work for former NHL-er Dave Poulin. Ryan was invited, along with fellow Wild draftee, to the US National Junior Evaluation Camp in August.
5th round-Selection #127 Jordan Knackstedt F (Actually selected 189th) This big winger blossomed afted bein dealt from Red Deer to Moose Jaw last year. After the trade, Jordan racked up 39 points in 39 games. At 6'3'' 205, he already has an NHL body that he can continue to grow into. We think he can groom himself into a Ryane Clowe-type.
7th round-Selection #188 Jeff Desjardins F (Not selected) This undersized winger is exciting to watch. 55 points in 70 games and 15 points in 16 playoff games really impressed us. We are hopeful that he can gain a little more size, but we really like him.
1st round-Selection #7-Karl Alzner D (actually selected 5th)
Minnesota has him rated higher and was pleased to see him at #7. The best defenseman in the draft is big(6'2'' 210#) and mobile. He put up 47 points in 63 games for the Hitmen in Calgary last year. He is a great leader who can take charge of a locker room as well. Slam dunk, home run, pick your metaphor, we are thrilled that he was there.
2nd round-Selection # 39 Patrick White F (actually selected 25th) We were thrilled that this very talented forward was available in round 2. The A.P. Minnesota High School player of the year will be a Gopher for UMinn this coming year. After his stellar high school career, he scored 8 goals in just 12 games in the USHL. He then added 5 points in the WJC and was a very impressive +5. He has time to grow into his 6'1'' 190 frame.
2nd round-Selection # 59 Trevor Cann G (actually selected 49th) He was very impressive at the WJC this year, and he really jumped up our charts. Stuck on a very poor Peterborough squad, he was often helpless in net, but stood on his head many times just to keep the Petes in the game. We are somewhat shallow in depth in our organization, and Trevor really had a chance to progress quickly.
3rd round-Selection #67 Yannick Weber D (actually selected 73rd) This Swiss blueliner has TONS of offensive skill. 13 goals and 28 assists in 51 games for Kitchener in his first year in North America points to that skill. Yes, he's only 5'10'', so he will need to work in his own end for sure, but we like his potential. We can see a Brian Rafalski-type as his upside.
3rd round-Selection #81 Ben Ryan F (actually selected 114th) This speedy forward scored 22 goals and added 42 assists in 59 games for Des Moines in the USHL. He will play for Notre Dame next year, where he will work for former NHL-er Dave Poulin. Ryan was invited, along with fellow Wild draftee, to the US National Junior Evaluation Camp in August.
5th round-Selection #127 Jordan Knackstedt F (Actually selected 189th) This big winger blossomed afted bein dealt from Red Deer to Moose Jaw last year. After the trade, Jordan racked up 39 points in 39 games. At 6'3'' 205, he already has an NHL body that he can continue to grow into. We think he can groom himself into a Ryane Clowe-type.
7th round-Selection #188 Jeff Desjardins F (Not selected) This undersized winger is exciting to watch. 55 points in 70 games and 15 points in 16 playoff games really impressed us. We are hopeful that he can gain a little more size, but we really like him.
