From a Carolina standpoint, there are two players I feel like could have made it on the list:
1. Cam Ward - G Red Deer Rebels (WHL) February 29th, 1984
2001-02 Red Deer Rebels (WHL) 46 30 11 4 2.27 0.911 23 14 9 2.12 0.911
2002-03 Red Deer Rebels (WHL) 57 40 13 3 2.10 0.920 23 14 9 2.08 0.920
2003-04 Red Deer Rebels (WHL) 56 31 16 8 2.05 0.926 19 10 9 1.85 0.926
If you'll notice, his goals against average have gone down each year he has played junior hockey and that is with the defense in front of him getting worse and worse. He steps his game up in the playoffs and got his goals against down to a miniscule 1.85 during this playoff run and at times carried this entire Rebels team on his back. Cam was taken in the first round of the 2002 draft at selection #25. While Dion Phaneuf, the highly ranked prospect on defense, does play in front of him, he can only play so many minutes a game. Outside of Phaneuf, there are two 1987's and one 1986 on defense for the Rebels. Most think that it's a coin toss between Josh Harding and Cam Ward for the best goaltender in the WHL. Cam has won that award once in 2001-2002, and will likely win that award again with the specatacular campaign this year, in which his numbers improved greatly. Josh Harding won the award in 2002-2003, or it's possible that Cam Ward could have been the award winner for three straight years in a row. He's a larger framed goaltender at 6"1' 190 and has reflexes that are just fantastic. He is known for his quick glove hand and his cool demeanor.
2. Magnus Kahnberg- LW Vastra Frolund HC (SEL) February 25th, 1980
2000-01 Vastra Frolunda HC Goteborg SEL 50 8 6 14 6 5 0 0 0 2
2001-02 Vastra Frolunda HC Goteborg SEL 50 14 11 25 24 10 5 0 5 2
2002-03 Vastra Frolunda HC Goteborg SEL 50 14 20 34 22 15 2 6 8 12
2003-04 Vastra Frolunda HC Goteborg SEL 50 33 16 49 20 10 5 2 7 10
Kahnberg had a breakout campaign this season with Frolunda, scoring a team record 33 goals for 49 points. He broke the record set by former Frolunda standout Kristian Huselius, who managed 32. Kahnberg also managed to make the WC squad for team Sweden this year and has scored in the games. While he is 24 years old, there aren't many prospects out there with the type of game that Kahnberg plays. From all indication, he's going to be a sniper in the NHL. It's only a matter of how well his game translates to the NHL level. But, 33 goals in 50 games on perhaps a level of play that is equal to or just above the AHL level is impressive any way you look at it. He has cracked the top 30 on other lists i've seen regarding top prospects, but was overlooked here. Some regard him as the best Sniper prospect currently in Sweden and more NHL ready than Alexander Steen, due to his seasoning and age.
