The Coyotes made six selections in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, including three times in the Fourth Round.   Recently, all six were at the Coyotes Prospect Camp in Peoria to demonstrate to the club their off-season motivation and give the staff a further idea of their talents.

          Below is a list of the selections and a short synopsis:

1st Round (6th) defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (6′2″ 176 lbs) Leksand (Allsvenskan) and Swedish World Junior

Oliver won the award given to the highest scoring rookie in the second-tier Swedish League, with 17 points and 32 PIM in 39 contests, the Allsvenskan Most Points by U18 Junior 08/09.  He played a ton and subsequently earned the best +/- in the entire league with a +44 rating.  He is only 17.

2nd Round (36th) forward Chris Brown (6′2″ 194 lbs) USDTP and USA World Junior

The powers that be chose to add more sandpaper in this instance, here is what Prospectstourney DOT COM had to say.  Brown is a tough character and could prove to develop into a well-rounded prospect.  Reading interviews he has completed leads one to believe that Brown has a good head on his shoulders.  He’ll need it with the reputation he has as one keeping the penalty box door hinges from rusting out.

4th round (91st) goaltender Michael Lee (6′1″ 190 lbs) Fargo Force (USHL)

With this choice, Phoenix management acknowledges the value of goaltending.  Lee has put together an impressive season (48 games, 2.40 goals against average and a .918 save %) at Fargo, after an incredible highschool campaign.  Management was impressed enough to draft him in the 4th round and Lee has not disappointed thus far; his interview and play at the recent Pup Camp has brought optimism.  With Bryzgalov, Montoya, Darling, and Tjordman, there is a sense to let Lee ripen in the NCAA ranks with St. Cloud University.

4th Round (97th) right wing Jordan Szwarz (5′11″ 190 lbs) Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

In his second OHL season, Szwarz adjusted his sights and tallied 51 points (17 goals).  The Spirit continued their OHL fence-sitting this year, again finishing in the middle of the pack in their Conference, and scored a first-round sweep of the Guelph Storm (in close manner) in the playoffs, before bowing out the same way themselves to the London Knights.  Szwarz’s three assists in Game #2 against the Storm were particularly helpful in dispatching a strong Guelph club; his playoff point total was 1 goal and four assists in eight contests.  Szwarz scored most of his points in the first round and yet was -2.  Against the powerhouse London team, featuring Michael Del Zotto and John Tavares among others, Szwarz scored only one point but had less PIM and was not a minus in any game, finishing that series with a +2 rating.  Impressive.

4th Round (105th) defenseman Justin Weller (6′2″ 205 lbs) Red Deer Rebels (WHL)

Weller may surprise people in the coming year, as his draft stock plummeted due to only appearing in 32 games.  His defensive awareness is absolutely outstanding, but do not look for offense here as he has not scored a goal in two seasons.  As Phoenix builds a respectable blueline, Weller could very well factor in down the road as a safe call-up from the farm, providing his injury problems stay a reasonable distance away.  Next season in Red Deer will go a long way to determining Weller’s future.

6th Round (157th) forward Evan Bloodoff (5′11″ 190 lbs) Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

Bloodoff could have a very good season ahead of him; the Rockets are set to lose a number of roster players from their WHL Championship team, providing room for growth from players that were not given the icetime they would have received on other clubs.  Evan, and his brother Lucas, gave Kelowna energy nightly and could score timely goals, though neither was an extremely gifted point producer.  Evan actually scored less points in this campaign than last year; his team-first attitude could go a long way to figuring into the Coyotes’ long-term plans.

For more updated information on the status of the Coyotes or any other National Hockey League club, view Hockey Analysis.

29 July 2009

Robin Keith Thompson