LOS ANGELES, Ca – From the third pick on in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the prognosticators everywhere were mystified by some picks and stunned by others. Sure some picks were dead on and Pro Hockey News managed to accurately predict four of the top ten picks . The bottom two-thirds of the first round were as exciting and stunning as the top ten.
Among the highlights of the last 20 picks in the first round was Jack Campbell going to the Dallas Stars with the 11th pick.
Asked his impressions on being picked by the Stars Campbell said, “It’s one of the teams that I talked to a little bit more. It’s a team that I really wanted to go to. Marty Turco has been my idol my whole life. I’ve been working with the Dallas Stars goalie a little bit. You know to be drafted by Dallas, it’s such a first-class organization, it really is a dream come true.”
Asked why Turco was an idol Campbell was quick to respond saying, “I loved watching him growing up. But recently I looked past that and seeing what he does for the community and how great a guy he is. He’s really an inspiration for me as a person, and I was fortunate enough to meet him this year after a Red Wings game. It really was a life changing experience.”
In our mock draft, we had Cam Fowler going in the third slot but he fell to the 12th pick and the Anaheim Ducks. 
“You know what; I’ve followed the Ducks for a couple of years now. They’re definitely heading in the right direction. They have so many pieces to the puzzle. I’m not exactly sure about their overall roster. Guys that they’re signing and everything, I’m so excited to be a Duck here. It’s a great day for me for sure,” said Fowler.
For Fowler, it was a difficult wait to the 12th position.
“Oh, tough. You know, the wait, no matter what you’re doing, the wait is always hard. When you have high expectations for yourself and people are saying certain things and it doesn’t end up working out, it’s tough. But I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. I think I came to a great organization who was excited to have me. At the end of the day, that’s all that really matters. You want somebody that’s confident in you and somebody that’s happy to have you aboard,” added Fowler in the post announcement press conference.
Coming in on the 14th selection was Jaden Schwartz who was picked by the Blues.
Asked of the excitement of the selection Schwartz said, “It’s a very special moment for me and my family. Waiting up there, hopefully getting picked in the first round. I didn’t know where I was going to go, and my heart was racing. It’s my birthday, so it’s a very special gift for me. I couldn’t be happier to be going to an organization like St. Louis.”
The next big surprise of the night was the Los Angeles pick at the 15th position. The Kings had traded to get there and everyone in the Staples Center expected the club to go with a California native (there were two in the draft). Instead, the Kings went with defenseman Derek Forbort.
Stunned by the pick himself, Forbort commented that he was surprised by the Kings trading up to get him. “Yeah, it’s definitely a good feeling. I didn’t really know. It was a great feeling.”
Forbort’s selection was greeted with applause from the partisans. “It was amazing. A little nerve-racking at the same time, but it was a great feeling inside.”
Beau Bennett was selected by the Penguins in the 20th slot. It was his offensive talents that got him noticed in Pittsburgh.
“They liked my offense. Definitely bring some creativity to the game. I can create off the right side or the left side. Definitely need to work on some things, as well, with my defensive play and strength. I think going forward, I’ll get better in some aspects,” said Bennett after the pick.
California native Emerson Etem was selected by the Ducks with the 29th pick. His selection marked the coming of age of California hockey.
Asked about having to wait to be picked 29th Etem said, “Yeah, and more waiting after that (Bennett’s selection). So I mean — I’m just lost for words. I’m a California boy and hockey player. I just have so much opportunity coming into this organization. Not only growing the game of hockey in California, but also what I present to the Ducks organization. It couldn’t be a better fit for me.”
Draft Notes
Beau Bennett (Gardena, Calif.) of the BCHL’s Penticton Vees was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins 20th overall, becoming the highest drafted California-born-and-trained player in Entry Draft history. Long Beach native Jonathon Blum was selected by the Nashville Predators 23rd overall in 2007. When the Anaheim Ducks selected RW Emerson Etem (Long Beach, Calif.) with the 29th overall pick it marked the first time that two Californians had been selected in the first round.
There were also a record-tying 10 U.S.-born players selected in the first round, matching the total of the 2006 and 2007 drafts.
The first round of the 2010 Entry Draft provided fans and prospective players with a few surprises as players made a jump from their Central Scouting ranking to their position on the actual draft board: Joey Hishon (Stratford, Ontario) No. 55 ranked was selected 17th overall by Colorado; Jeff Skinner (Markham, Ontario) No. 34 ranked was selected 7th overall by Carolina; and Jaden Schwartz (Melfort, Saskatchewan) No. 28 ranked was selected 14th overall by St. Louis.
The top eight picks of the NHL Entry Draft all played for Canadian Hockey League teams in 2009-10. That’s the most to start a draft since 1987, when the first 18 picks were from the CHL.
Nick Bjugstad (selected 19th overall by Florida) is the nephew of Scott Bjugstad who played nine NHL seasons spanning 317 games between 1983-84 and 1991-92 with the Minnesota North Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins and Los Angeles Kings.
Jarred Tinordi (selected 22nd overall by Montreal) is the son of Mark, who totaled 1,514 penalty minutes in 12 NHL seasons as a defenseman with the New York Rangers, Minnesota North Stars, Dallas Stars and Washington Capitals from 1987-99 — Jarred wears 24, the same number as his father.
Kevin Hayes’ (selected 24th overall by Chicago) older brother, Jimmy, was selected 60th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2008. He is also the second cousin of former NHLers Tom Fitzgerald and Keith Tkachuk.
Charlie Coyle (selected 28th overall by San Jose) is the cousin of former NHL players Tony Amonte and also related to Bobby Sheehan. Amonte was drafted 68th overall in 1988 by the New York Rangers and had 900 points in the NHL playing for New York, Chicago, Phoenix, Philadelphia and Calgary (1991-2007). Sheehan was selected by the Montreal Canadiens 32nd overall in the 1969 amateur draft playing 310 NHL games (1969-70 to 1981-82).
Brock Nelson (selected 30th overall by New York Islanders) is the nephew of Dave Christian who was a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning team and enjoyed an NHL career that spanned over 1000 games and totaled 773 points. His grandfather, Billy Christian, and great uncle, Roger Christian, played on Team USA’s 1960 gold-medal winning men’s hockey team. Gordon Christian, also his great uncle, played hockey for the University of North Dakota (1947-1950) and was a member of the U.S. Olympic team that won silver in 1956.
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