Monday, April 28, 2008

2008 NHL Entry Draft

Still a little early to be talking NHL Draft right now so I'll keep it brief.

It looks like just one Future 'Cat is lined up for being drafted if you're going by the Central Scouting Service's Final Rankings for 2008.

That recruit is Lee, NH native, Greg Burke. Burke, ranked number 140 by CSS, is most like headed to the USHL's Cedar Rapids RoughRiders in his final season before coming to UNH in the fall of '09. He spent his last two seasons with the high-flying New Hampshire Junior Monarchs of the EJHL where Burke led the team in scoring and to a second consecutive Tier III Junior A National Title during the 2007-2008 campaign.

While Burke is the only apparent draftee for his class this year it is certainly possible there will be others next summer in the 2009 Draft as players like Ryan Bourque and John Henrion increase the value of their prospect stock.

The coming season will see the matriculation of 2007 New York Islanders' draft pick, Blake Kessel, who'll join fellow draftees and current Wildcats James vanRiemsdyk and Phil DeSimone giving the team 6 NHL Draftees including: Brian Foster (FLA), James vanRiemsdyk (PHIL), Peter LeBlanc (CHI), Phil DeSimone (WAS), Joe Charlebois (CHI) and Blake Kessel (NYI).

Current Wildcats eligible for the Draft include Danny Dries, Paul Thompson, Mike Sislo, Greg Manz, Matt Campanale and Danny Vranek.

Incoming recruits that are eligible are goaltenders Matt DiGirolamo and Tyler Scott and players, Damon Kipp, Kevin McCarey, Steve Moses and Mike Borisenok - the entire incoming class besides Kessel who was already drafted.

As a reminder, talk of being drafted can be a bit beside the point as a number of the most successful Wildcats to go professional were undrafted - guys like Bryan Muir, Mark Mowers, Jason Krog and Ty Conklin.

So, in any case,

Go 'Cats!

*Dave's link to The Hockey News Downloads Page with the Mid-Term rankings showing Paul Thompson at #185.

2 Comments:

Blogger DaveDanofMaine said...

Paul Thompson is listed on NHL Central Scouting Service Mid-Year rankings, at #185, but fell off the final rankings. Greg Burke moved up from #175 mid-year to final ranking of #140

see http://www.thehockeynews.com/listings/44-Downloads-&-Wallpapers.html?page=4

May 1, 2008, 12:17:00 PM  
Blogger THE UNH MEN'S HOCKEY BLOGGER GUY said...

Great!

Thanks for the info Dave!

I've popped the link into the article as a clickable link.

Paul could still certainly be a late round pick. If not he's got three years to prove himself in the Blue and White for a free-agent slot.

May 1, 2008, 12:28:00 PM  

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