Flyers 2009 Draft review

PHILADELPHIA, PA. – The Philadelphia Flyers went into last weekends NHL Entry draft in dire need of providing the organization with depth at all positions, but primarily at the goaltending, all three forward positions, and the need for more offensive minded defensemen. So, did the Flyers address those needs? They drafted six players, two goalies, two defensemen, one left winger and one center. Lets see who they drafted and what the prospects are for the future in a Flyers uniform.

Adam Morrison Goaltender (Saskatoon – Western Hockey League) Third Round – 81st overall

Born on February 9, 1991 in Edmonton, Alberta…6’ 3″, 166 pounds…Catches left. As a rookie in 2008-09, he made 13 appearances with the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League, where he went 9-1-1 with a 2.47 goals-against average, .907 save percentage and one shutout, which he earned in his first career start in the WHL. “He’s a guy, that all of our guys [Flyers scouting staff] liked,” said Flyers General Manager Paul Holmgren of Morrison. “This kid will play a lot more games for his junior team next year. We’ve done our homework on him and we’re very high on him.” Analysis: He was rated the 24^th ranked NA goaltender by CSS. Because the Flyers did not have a first round pick thanks to the Chris Pronger trade, the team took a backup goaltender at Saskatoon. He has very good size but needs to fill out more. Until he gets a starter’s job its tough to figure out if he was worth the pick. Next season it could go a long way to deciding if he is a serious contender for the starters job in Philadelphia.

Simon Bertilsson Defense (Brynas – Swedish Elite League) Third Round – 87th overall

Born on April 19, 1991 in Karlskoga, Sweden… 6’ 0″, 185-pounds… Shoots left. In 2008-09, Bertilsson appeared in 21 games for Brynas of the Swedish Elite League (SEL), recording one assist. He played most of the season for Brynas in the Swedish Junior Elite League recording 31 points (9G, 22A) in 30 games, helping Brynas win the league championship. He was one of the top to pairings on the team with Phoenix Coyotes draft pick Oliver-Ekman Larsson. Bertilsson also played for Team Sweden at the 2009 Under-18 World Championships and is a defensive minded defenseman, who had a plus/minus rating of +5 in the tournament. “We are ecstatic to be able to get him,” said Holmgren on Bertilsson. “We like Simon, he’s a hard-nosed kid and he’s really good with the puck too.” Analysis: Having been paired with Larsson should tell you a bit about his talent. He was the 17^th ranked European skater by ISS. Although he is not considered to be offensive minded he did have 9 goals in 30 games for Brynas. With the Flyers moving Luca Sbisa in the Pronger trade, Bertilsson might be a fixture in the Flyers lineup sooner than later. The only issue for him is the team is deep in defensive prospects but with very few blue chipper so he might get his shot sooner rather than later.

Nicola Riopel Goaltender (Moncton – Quebec Major Junior Hockey League) Fifth Round – 142nd overall

Born on February 20, 1989 in St. Pie De Bagot, Quebec… 6’0″, 170 pounds… Catches left. In 2008-09, Riopel posted a 43-15-0 record along with a 2.01 GAA and .931 save percentage in 59 appearances, including five shutouts with the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL. He was awarded the Michel Briere Trophy as the Most Valuable Player in the QMJHL and the Jacque Plante Trophy for having the best goals-against average (2.01 – a new QMJHL record), and was also named to the QMJHL’s First All-Star Team. Over parts of four seasons in Moncton, Riopel compiled a record of 75-56-0 with a 2.67 GAA, .915 save percentage and seven shutouts in 143 appearances. He has also posted a 6-8 career post-season record with a 2.76 GAA, a .914 save percentage and two shutouts in 14 games. “It’s been three years and I’ve been waiting for this moment, so it was an incredible day for my family and I’m really glad that I came to a great organization like the Flyers,” said Riopel moments after being selected by the Flyers. “I worked hard all of my life. I could have easily left when I didn’t get drafted previously and said my career is over, but I just kept working and I think this year I proved to alot of people that I can be a winning goalie, and one of the top goalies in the world.” Analysis: Riopel was not even ranked by CSS which is odd considering he was the Q’s MVP this season. Even stranger is that because he is already a proven starter he has an edge over Morrison to make the team one day. He has improved with each season of play and since he has already played three years of junior play he could find himself in a uniform sooner than any of this years Flyers draftees. A stint in the ECHL and AHL would do him well first before that happens.

Dave Labrecque Center (Shawinigan – Quebec Major Junior Hockey League) Sixth Round – 153rd overall

Born on January 27, 1990 in Vanier, Quebec… 6’0″, 174 pounds… Shoots left. In 2008-09, his first full season in the QMJHL, Labrecque recorded 61 points (13G,48A) in 59 games, including a plus/minus rating of +23, with the Shawinigan Cataractes. He finished third on the team in assists (48) and fifth in points (61). He also recorded 19 points (3G,16A) in 20 post-season games to help lead the Cataractes to the QMJHL Final, where they were defeated in seven games by Drummondville. Labrecque led the team in the playoffs in penalty minutes (34) and ranked third in assists (16). Over parts of three seasons with Shawinigan, Labrecque has a total of 73 points (18G,55A) and 102 penalty minutes in 85 regular season games. He has also recorded 22 points (4G,18A) in 25 career post-season contests. “I’m pretty proud. I didn’t talk to them at all before the draft, but when they [announced] my name I was pretty happy to be a part of the Flyers,” said Labrecque on being selected. Analysis: Labrecque adds some depth at center. If he can learn to win face-offs, a major weakness on the Flyers roster, he can find himself in a third of fourth liners role one day.

Eric Wellwood Left Wing (Windsor – Ontario Hockey League) Sixth Round – 172nd overall

Born on March 6, 1990 in Oldcastle, Ontario… 5’11″, 179 pounds… Shoots left. In 61 games with the Windsor Spitfires, Wellwood recorded 34 points (16G,18A) in 61 regular season games in 2008-09. He also posted 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points in 20 games to help lead the Spitfires to the OHL Championship, as well as four points (1G,3A) in six games to help Windsor win the 2009 Mastercard Memorial Cup. Over parts of three seasons with the Spitfires, Wellwood has posted 57 points (27G,30A) in 152 regular season games and 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points in 25 OHL playoff games. Analysis: A clutch player who can bring some much needed depth on the left wing. He could be ready to take on a second through fourth liners roll should Simon Gagne and Scott Hartnell move on one day. Worst case is he will be a career AHL player.

Oliver Lauridsen Defense (St. Cloud State – WCHA) Seventh Round – 196th overall

Born on March 24, 1989 in Gentofte, Denmark… 6’ 6″, 220 pounds… Shoots left. Lauridsen recorded one assist and 38 penalty minutes in 28 games as a Freshman at St. Cloud State University in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Lauridsen played for Linkopings HC in the Swedish Elite League during the 2007-08 season, where he had six goals and nine assists for 15 points. He was also a member of Denmark’s World Junior teams in 2006 (Under-18 team), 2007 (U-18 team) and 2008 (U-20 team). He earned defensive MVP honors at World Junior tournament. Analysis: Physically he is no different that Victor Hedman’s who was taken second overall in the draft. Last season was his first year of college hockey. St. Cloud State has an excellent hockey program. If he can stay the next three years, or leave college after one more season and go into the ECHL or AHL it would be a very good thing for his development. Either way his size is intriguing and will someone to watch. At 6′ 6″, he will be tough to miss. Earning MVP honors at the World Juniors should tell you just how good this kid could be. Overall Analysis: The Flyers made as much use of their six picks in a seven round draft the best they could, especially since they gave up their first round pick. Had they kept the pick, 21^st overall, the Flyers would have been in a position to draft several quality players. Eventually the Columbus Blue Jackets made the pick which turned out to be John Moore. Needless to say having a Mike Green clone on the blueline would have been a perfect fit on the Flyers blueline. Jordan Schroeder was taken at 22 by Vancouver and would have also been a perfect fit with the impending departure of Mike Knuble and the fact that he played with Flyers prospect James Van Reimsdyk on Team USA. Overall it looks as though the Flyers drafted a few risks and a couple of possible diamonds in the rough. As of now we cant give them much more than a C with the potential to be a D if like most of the previous Flyers drafts the team can only get one draft pick per draft to pan out. Like with any draft it is a crapshoot. Only time or tell who was right and who was wrong. Contact the author at Brian.Jennings@prohockeynews.com