Some thoughts from Rebels VP of Hockey Ops Randy Peterson leading up to the first pick.
"It gives us an opportunity to set ourselves up for the future. Right now we're going to get a franchise-type player.....we really beleive that with picking at number four. We feel we're leaning towards a defenseman, but we'll see what's there and available to us. Regardless, we know we're going to get a top end defenseman.
On the top-end blueliners available:
You've got a couple of puck movers, (Morgan Reilly, Dereck Pouliot) with really high-end intelligence that can skate, think the game and run your powerplay. Another kid (Griffin Reinhardt) can do that same, but also can add that physical presence and is kind of a Phaneuf- type hitter you could say. He's a 6'3'' defender already and could be a dominant shutdown guy. Pair him with (Alex) Petrovic, and those are two big trees that are difficult to go around.
Do the Rebs have four players they'd be happy to get at number four..or will they try to trade up?
"Safe to say, there are two or three on our wish list, but we've been workng with five (players) for a while that we're seirous about and that's how we're looking at it."
On the importance of the second round pick (27th overall)
"You've gotta get lucky a bit, that's for sure. Every team sees things differently.....and whether we're right or wrong, we may have a guy ranked differently. Daulton Siwak and Alex Petrovic both slid to us in the second. Another thing we need to consider when we're looking at our second pick is: do we have a better chance at a top end defenseman or forward sliding to us?"
Some thoughts on Dane Phaneuf, Dion's younger brother from Edmonton
"A mobile kid who plays the game pretty smart and plays the powerplay. He's definitley a kid who we'd have to seriously look at... that's for sure. Whether that's in the second or fourth (round), we'd have to wait and see who's available. Some have him ranked very high, and some have him ranked mid-round, but he's a very good player."
On Josh Smith, A Lacombe product who played AAA Bantam in Red Deer this season, and is a projected first rounder.
"He can shoot the puck a tonne. He's a mobile kid who's tough to play against. He's a good player as well and highly sought after with the way he plays the game. He's one of those top end kids, and no question he'll be considered high."
Here is the order for the first two rounds of today's draft....I'll have thoughts, analysis, and quotes up later this morning.1st Round
1) Portland Winter Hawks
2) Moose Jaw Warriors
3) Chilliwack Bruins
4) Red Deer Rebels
5) Regina Pats
6) Prince Albert Raiders
7) Prince George Cougars
8) Everett Silvertips
9) Edmonton Oil Kings
10) Kamloops Blazers
11) Lethbridge Hurricanes (to Everett)
12) Seattle Thunderbirds
13) Kootenay Ice
14) Medicine Hat Tigers
15) Swift Current Broncos
16) Spokane Chiefs
17) Kelowna Rockets
18) Brandon Wheat Kings
19) Tri-City Americans
20) Saskatoon Blades
21) Vancouver Giants
22) Calgary Hitmen
2nd Round
1) Moose Jaw Warriors
2) Portland Winter Hawks
3) Chilliwack Bruins
4) Prince George Cougars
5) Red Deer Rebels
6) Regina Pats
7) Everett Silvertips
8) Edmonton Oil Kings
9) Prince Albert Raiders
10) Kamloops Blazers
11) Lethbridge Hurricanes
12) Seattle Thunderbirds
13) Kootenay Ice
14) Medicine Hat Tigers
15) Swift Current Broncos
16) Spokane Chiefs
17) Kelowna Rockets
18) Brandon Wheat Kings
19) Tri-City Americans
20) Saskatoon Blades
21) Vancouver Giants
22) Calgary Hitmen
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