PAPILLION, NE – The St. Louis Blues are being applauded for their successful draft following the week’s accounts. St. Louis made a surprise move in the first round adding the 16th overall pick to compliment their fixed position at 14th after trading away last season’s first round pick (David Rundblad) to Ottawa. In all the Blues selected seven players to join their ranks. The breakdown of their selections is four North Americans (one American, three Canadians) and three Europeans (one Finn, one Swede, and one Russian). St. Louis focused heavily on their forward skaters selecting six forwards and one defenseman. One selection came from the high school level, while five emerge from the junior ranks, and one from the Kontinental Hockey League in Russia.
The Selections
Round One, 14th overall selection
Jaden Schwartz Center, Tri-City (USHL)
Schwartz was listed as the 28th overall skater by the NHL Central Scouting, yet St. Louis chose him 14th overall to open up their 2010 draft board. Schwartz is a sure handed playmaker who lacks impressive size (5’10, 180lbs), despite average physically Jaden Schwartz is a tough player whom is able to complete the task at hand despite the presence of larger players or not. All too often younger players in the USHL look over sized by their more mature counterparts, yet Schwartz at 17 was able to hold his own night in and night out despite the fact that he often found himself double teamed and facing tough physical play. Schwartz is a player committed to improving himself and those around him as seen by his work for his sister, Mandi Schwartz ( her story here ). The fact the Schwartz will attend Colorado College to play with his brother is yet one more reason Schwartz could become a valuable asset to the Blues organization as he brings a presence of family and leadership to the offering upon the table. Schwartz appears to be a good two years from donning the Blue Note, but has much by way of upside and character to offer once he dresses in the Gateway City.
Round One, 16th overall selection
Vladimir Tarasenko Right Wing, Novosibirsk (KHL)
If only it were not for the legal aspects in dealing with players from the Russian leagues. Tarasenko has topped many as one of the hottest prospects within this year’s pool. However, the Kontinental Hockey League has been a large thorn in the side of the NHL for a few years now and while players like Evgeni Makin have emerged in North America with great promise one can never be sure of things until a contract is signed and the player has been delivered. Tarasenko has been mentored and coached by his father Andrei Tarasenko, an elite scorer in Russia for several years. While his father never played in the NHL he has a savvy hockey mind and may be the key to his son’s successes and failures. The Blues gave up David Rundblad to acquire Tarasenko as St. Louis is keen on gambling this season to improve their base.
Round Two, 44th overall selection
Sebastian Wannstrom Right Wing, Brynas Jr.
Wannstrom is a very skilled technical player who may prove to be a steal in the second round. The 19 year old Gavle, Sweden native has shown promise as a very good playmaker that can also play a very physical game. Wannstrom recorded 14 points in the World Juniors Championships scoring seven goals and seven assists.
Round Three, 74th overall selection
Max Gardiner Center, Minnetonka High School (Minnesota)
The tireless worker Gardiner will attend the University of Minnesota in the coming school year where he will look to continually develop his game. Gardiner may develop into a power forward before he becomes a playmaker given his tendencies thus far. Gardiner’s size will make him an asset to any club if his offensive game flourishes with the Gophers. A solid third round pick, the Blues may be seeing another Keith Tkachuk in bloom if Gardiner’s work ethic is as advertised and his development goes as hoped.
Round Four, 104th overall selection
Jani Hakanpaa Defense, Kiekko-Vantaa Jr.
Hakanpaa is a large body Finnish defenseman that will create a fair amount of offense to compliment his physical game. Hakanpaa will without a doubt be a stellar defensive force who could flourish into a top defensive line player. At 18 years of age, Hakanpaa has significant growth mentally and physically ahead of him and could be a fair year or two away from North American hockey. Hakanpaa could potentially contribute significant time with the Blues within four years if he is able to continually develop his game at the technical level.
Round Five, 134th overall selection
Cody Beach Right Wing, Calgary (WHL)
In 51 games with the Calgary Hitmen, Beach did just that: hit men. Beach scored a total of fourteen points and acquired a total of 157 penalty minutes in the process. Beach will need to prove his ability to play hockey as well as intimidate as he grows. If Beach does have one shining light of promise offensively it would be his playoff stats for Calgary as he scored once and added seven assists in 19 playoff games. For his efforts, Beach was awarded Calgary’s Rookie of the Year award.
Round Six, 164th overall selection
Stephen MacAulay Left Wing, Saint John (QMJHL)
MacAulay is a nice final pick for the Blues. With fair size and a decent ability to score, MacAulay could become a nice role player for St. Louis long term given development. While Stephen MacAulay’s stats from the Quebec Major Junior League are not going to make anyone excited (21 points in 56 games), there is promise of a nice third line player who can diffidently play the special teams given his +18 rating over that same span.
You may contact the author at: john.strathman@prohockeynews.com
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