HFNHL Commish
Registered User
- Feb 28, 2002
- 1,355
- 8
A brief review of the Ducks' seven picks in the 2007 HFNHL Entry Draft...
30th overall - Thomas Hickey, D (4th overall, NHL Draft)
When the Ducks traded down from the 23rd to the 30th pick, the team took a risk that Hickey would still be available. If the NHL Draft is anything to judge by, the gamble may have paid off big time. The Ducks have always placed a premium on two-way defensemen, and the Seattle Thunderbirds' blueliner certainly fits the bill. In a draft with a number of undersized, two-way defensemen, only time will tell if Hickey was the best of the bunch. In the meantime, the Ducks' front office is very pleased with the value they received at the end of the first round.
113th overall - Matt Marshall, C/RW (150th overall, NHL Draft)
After drafting a pair of high-schoolers in the 2006 draft (David Fischer and Michael Forney), the Ducks decided to use their first pick of Day Two on another high-schooler, Massachusetts native Matt Marshall. Marshall has committed to play his college hockey at the University of Vermont. Marshall's reputation is as a gritty two-way forward with a high "Hockey IQ". Although Marshall has seen time at center, the Ducks project him as a winger.
134th overall - P.K. Subban, D (43rd overall, NHL Draft)
Scouting reports on this offensive-minded blueliner are all over the map. Some say that Subban is more of a fourth forward than a defenseman. Others say that Subban is a very coachable, exuberant kid that showed greater inclination toward a two-way game as Belleville's season wore on. Either way, there's little arguing with the numbers that Subban put up in both the regular season and the playoffs. The skill is there, so it's up to the Ducks to mold Subban into an HFNHL defenseman.
143rd overall - Nick Bonino, C (173rd overall, NHL Draft)
The second high-schooler taken by the Ducks in this year's draft, Bonino has committed to play for the Boston Terriers next season. Bonino is a center with decent size that was overlooked in the 2006 draft. While he lacks top-end speed, Bonino is a solid skater who's strong on the puck and above average on faceoffs. Could have a very high ceiling as a scorer if he successfully adapts to the NCAA game.
173rd overall - C.J. Severyn, LW (186th overall, NHL Draft)
A product of the USNTDP, Severyn's reputation is as a tough, physical winger. He has yet to display much of a scorer's mentality at the national team level, so he probably projects as more of an energy guy at the HFNHL level. Severyn will suit up for Ohio State next season.
193rd overall - Jason Gregoire, LW (76th overall, NHL Draft)
After missing the first half of the 2006-07 season with an ankle injury, Gregoire ended up averaging more than a point-per-game with the Lincoln Stars of the USHL. Gregoire is a smart, smooth-skating winger that plays a solid two-way game. Has also displayed a decent nose for the net. Gregoire has committed to playing college hockey for the UND Fighting Sioux.
204th overall - Jonathan Carrier, D (undrafted)
Even in the new HFNHL, there's still a place for big defensemen. The 6'4" Carrier plays with a bit of an edge, and may have enough puck-moving ability to attract some attention in 2008. A good season in the Q certainly wouldn't hurt his cause.
30th overall - Thomas Hickey, D (4th overall, NHL Draft)
When the Ducks traded down from the 23rd to the 30th pick, the team took a risk that Hickey would still be available. If the NHL Draft is anything to judge by, the gamble may have paid off big time. The Ducks have always placed a premium on two-way defensemen, and the Seattle Thunderbirds' blueliner certainly fits the bill. In a draft with a number of undersized, two-way defensemen, only time will tell if Hickey was the best of the bunch. In the meantime, the Ducks' front office is very pleased with the value they received at the end of the first round.
113th overall - Matt Marshall, C/RW (150th overall, NHL Draft)
After drafting a pair of high-schoolers in the 2006 draft (David Fischer and Michael Forney), the Ducks decided to use their first pick of Day Two on another high-schooler, Massachusetts native Matt Marshall. Marshall has committed to play his college hockey at the University of Vermont. Marshall's reputation is as a gritty two-way forward with a high "Hockey IQ". Although Marshall has seen time at center, the Ducks project him as a winger.
134th overall - P.K. Subban, D (43rd overall, NHL Draft)
Scouting reports on this offensive-minded blueliner are all over the map. Some say that Subban is more of a fourth forward than a defenseman. Others say that Subban is a very coachable, exuberant kid that showed greater inclination toward a two-way game as Belleville's season wore on. Either way, there's little arguing with the numbers that Subban put up in both the regular season and the playoffs. The skill is there, so it's up to the Ducks to mold Subban into an HFNHL defenseman.
143rd overall - Nick Bonino, C (173rd overall, NHL Draft)
The second high-schooler taken by the Ducks in this year's draft, Bonino has committed to play for the Boston Terriers next season. Bonino is a center with decent size that was overlooked in the 2006 draft. While he lacks top-end speed, Bonino is a solid skater who's strong on the puck and above average on faceoffs. Could have a very high ceiling as a scorer if he successfully adapts to the NCAA game.
173rd overall - C.J. Severyn, LW (186th overall, NHL Draft)
A product of the USNTDP, Severyn's reputation is as a tough, physical winger. He has yet to display much of a scorer's mentality at the national team level, so he probably projects as more of an energy guy at the HFNHL level. Severyn will suit up for Ohio State next season.
193rd overall - Jason Gregoire, LW (76th overall, NHL Draft)
After missing the first half of the 2006-07 season with an ankle injury, Gregoire ended up averaging more than a point-per-game with the Lincoln Stars of the USHL. Gregoire is a smart, smooth-skating winger that plays a solid two-way game. Has also displayed a decent nose for the net. Gregoire has committed to playing college hockey for the UND Fighting Sioux.
204th overall - Jonathan Carrier, D (undrafted)
Even in the new HFNHL, there's still a place for big defensemen. The 6'4" Carrier plays with a bit of an edge, and may have enough puck-moving ability to attract some attention in 2008. A good season in the Q certainly wouldn't hurt his cause.
