ST. LOUIS, MO – The symphony known as the St. Louis Blues gained eight new notes selected from eligible talent at the 2012 National Hockey League Entry Draft. While each of these players will not wear St. Louis jerseys for at least several years, the need to stock up on available talent which will be developed over time is absolutely necessary in order to sustain team competitiveness over time.
Until the 2011-12 season, the St. Louis effort to scout and draft talent-rich prospects was taking a very long time to impact the parent club. This was the result after not replenishing talented players allowed to leave for free agency or traded to provide immediate help. Now the Blues are continually adding to their prospect base and the active cycle is providing assets by which to develop or trade if the team is close to making a championship run.
Due to their success in the regular season and moderate advance through the playoffs before being stopped by eventual champion Los Angeles, the Blues first pick was at number 25. With this selection, St. Louis chose Wisconsin-native Jordan Schmaltz who stands tall at 6-2 and 189 lbs. on the blue line for the USHL’s Green Bay Bobcats.
The rugged defenseman appeared in Sioux City to start the season before moving on to Green Bay. In 48 games, Schmaltz registered 9 goals and 23 assists for 32 points and 27 penalty minutes. He led all USHL defenseman in scoring.
Known as a player who relies on his game intelligence and excels at puck control and using his stick to defend first, Schamltz is not known for his physical play, but is expected to fill out his tall frame by bulking up over the next few years and when he does, it should be a scary sight.
Schmaltz is committed to play at the University of North Dakota next season, a school where his father and uncles played football and hockey respectively. His puck rushing prowess will eventually add to an already potent attack with St. Louis, an emerging team currently benefitting from the presence of Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk leading the backline attack.
The other seven selections began at number 56 with forward Sam Kurker from St. John’s Prep in Massachusetts. At 6-2 and 20 lbs., Kurker combines size with a clever set of hands and is comfortable engaging opponents in the physical game. He can score from anywhere on the ice including from within ten feet in front of the net where he establishes position in front of the goal. In 24 games, he netted 32 goals and 28 assists to lead an impressive squad.
At number 67, St. Louis selected Mackenzie MacEachern, a left wing from Brother Rice High School in Michigan. In 29 games, the 603, 183 lb. winger gained 42 goals and 48 assists. Despite his size, MacEachern does not necessarily play a physical game currently, but once he fills out, he could be a formidable power. He has just recently appeared on the radar in his rapidly ascending journey toward a hockey career.
At number 86, the Blues added their second defenseman in Colton Parayko. The 6-3, 181 lb. backliner played a prominent role with Fort McMurray in the Alberta Junior Hockey League contributing 9 goals and 33 assists in 53 games. While Parayko has some detriments with his long, awkward skating stride, he uses his size to his advantage. He can work on the skating in the coming year now that he knows he is considered a future contributor.
St. Louis continued adding defenseman at number 116 when they selected Nicholas Walters from Everett of the Western Hockey League. In Walter, St. Louis found a tough, physical defenseman who plays with an edge. In 62 games with the Silvertips, Walters added six goals and 12 assists and a whopping 95 penalty minutes. Walters enjoys finishing his checks with enthusiasm. While you will not see him handle the puck a great deal, you will see him making room for opponents and making it difficult to come close to the net.
At number 146, St. Louis added a netminder to their already solid pipeline in goal. From the Val d’Or Foreurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the Blues selected Francois Tremblay. At 6-2, 195 lbs., he registered a 22-28-4 season, 3.79 goals against average and 0.882 save percentage while appearing in 57 games. While these numbers alone will not impress, his potential due to his size, athleticism, flexibility and raw talent make him attractive. He has more to prove in the coming season after reaching the QMJHL with such hype preceding his arrival.
St. Louis finished drafting defensemen when they selected Petteri Lindbohm with the number 176 puck. The left-hand shot from Jokerit in the Finish Jr. League is 6-3, 209 lbs. He appeared in 41 games tallying three goals and seven assists. He is a strong defensive defenseman with an aggressive streak, but his upside remains somewhat limited.
With their final section and the 206th puck, the Blues selected Tyrel Seaman, a center from the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League. In 32 games, he scored six goals and thirteen assists. The 602, 207 lb. left-hand shot has endured a series of concussions after starting the season on pace for a breakout campaign. He is a solid two-way player with tremendous work ethic and hustle and could eventually be a force.
With a solid pipeline of prospect on pace developmentally and a replenishment of talent from the 2012 draft, the Blues are well on their way to icing a consistently solid team with competitiveness each and every season. Having this bench strength long-term will continue to allow the Blues to write beautiful music as the next few seasons unfold.
Contact: dennis.morrell@prohockeynews.com
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