Dempsey
Mark it zero
The LA Kings, who were the HFNHL's worst team in 2006-07, had a successful first three rounds of the 2007 Entry Draft on Sunday.
With the second overall pick the Kings were rumored to have been set to take Kyle Turris, who lives literally ten minutes from GM Mike McEwan's Surrey, BC home. McEwan scouted Turris heavily this season in the BCHL. But when John vanRiemsdyk went first overall, it made high scoring OHL sensation Patrick Kane available to be taken second.
"We're very happy to get Patrick (Kane)" stated McEwan. "We think of him as the top prospect of this draft class, and were expecting to not have the chance to draft his second overall."
Los Angeles also held the 19th overall pick, which they previously acquired along with Alex Goligoski in exchange for long-time captain Rob Blake. With it they took Swedish forward Oscar Moller, currently playing with Chilliwack of the WHL.
"Moller was a player we've had on our radar for some time" said McEwan.
With the first pick in the second round, the Kings took Bill Sweatt out of the college ranks, 31st overall. "We love what Billy brings to the table every night and believe he will one day be a valuable member of the LA Kings in the HFNHL.
At 61st overall the Kings selected another forward, Olivier Fortier out of the QMJHL. Fortier is a sound two-way forward who put up number in the point-per-game range last season.
All in all, the Kings appear to have selected stroing picks in what was called a weak draft. But, as with any hockey predictions, time will tell the real story of success.
With the second overall pick the Kings were rumored to have been set to take Kyle Turris, who lives literally ten minutes from GM Mike McEwan's Surrey, BC home. McEwan scouted Turris heavily this season in the BCHL. But when John vanRiemsdyk went first overall, it made high scoring OHL sensation Patrick Kane available to be taken second.
"We're very happy to get Patrick (Kane)" stated McEwan. "We think of him as the top prospect of this draft class, and were expecting to not have the chance to draft his second overall."
Los Angeles also held the 19th overall pick, which they previously acquired along with Alex Goligoski in exchange for long-time captain Rob Blake. With it they took Swedish forward Oscar Moller, currently playing with Chilliwack of the WHL.
"Moller was a player we've had on our radar for some time" said McEwan.
With the first pick in the second round, the Kings took Bill Sweatt out of the college ranks, 31st overall. "We love what Billy brings to the table every night and believe he will one day be a valuable member of the LA Kings in the HFNHL.
At 61st overall the Kings selected another forward, Olivier Fortier out of the QMJHL. Fortier is a sound two-way forward who put up number in the point-per-game range last season.
All in all, the Kings appear to have selected stroing picks in what was called a weak draft. But, as with any hockey predictions, time will tell the real story of success.
