Montreal—Apparently the Canadiens just could not resist the temptation as they took a player from Quebec Province in front of their home town fans in the 2009 Entry Draft. Actually it was a value pick as they selected 13th ranked North American Louis Leblanc with their selection. Leblanc will have time to develop as he heads for Harvard to play collegiate hockey.
The New York Rangers also picked a university-bound player with the next pick as they selected Chris Kreider who will play for Boston College next year.
The two players could not be more different. Leblanc is 6-0, 178 while Kreider checks in at 6-2, 201. Both players are touted for their offensive abilities although Kreider is a bit of an x-factor due to the fact he played high school hockey while Leblanc played in the USHL for Omaha.
“Louis had a terrific first season in the USHL that saw him establish himself as one of the better and most tenacious players in the league,” said Omaha coach Bliss Littler. “He has an outstanding stick and a nose for the net. His work ethic is unmatched and he truly understands the meaning of the word ‘team’.”
Kreider is known for his skating ability which is so good some say he skates better than most NHLers, but in order to translate his skating into the NHL he needs to gain experience at a higher level of play.
“The scouts who see him know what type of tremendous skills he has and he obviously has great physical strength, but he’s an absolutely great character kid,” said Andover coach Dean Boylan. “He’s a great kid off the ice, a presence in the locker room and a young man who is forever looking to get better. Character is important to me and Chris is at the top.”
Chris Kreider%2C courtesy of the NHL
Calgary grabs high-ranking Swede
With the run on defenseman, the selection of forwards has been far and few, especially from Europe. Due to those facts the third European skater, Josef Josefson has fallen in the draft. But he did not get past the Calgary Flames who grabbed the center with the 20th pick in the draft.
“Josefson is among an elite band of 1991 birth-year players — there are just three, in fact — playing regularly in the (Sweden) Elitserien. He’s not that big, but he’s physically built. He looks like a player that is 25,” said Djurgarden coach Tomas Monten. “When we were making that decision (to set the roster for the elite squad), we couldn’t look at his age, just how he was competing against the other players on the team. His strengths are that he can read the play, he’s strong with the puck, moves his feet really well and he always gets himself time when he gets the puck on his stick.”
PHN analysis; all three selections look solid although Josefson is the “safer” pick of the three. Given the right circumstances he could play in the NHL next year, but more seasoning in Sweden should be strongly considered. As far as Leblanc and Kreider, the ability of a team’s scouting staff will be tested. Both players could wind up in college for all four years or they could be brought out of school should they be ready professionally.
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