Here’s another great draft class in 2009
11/19/08
Just a few years ago, it seemed the Red Deer Rebels were front and centre when it came to the NHL entry draft every season.
Boyd Gordon (WSH), Jeff Woywitka (PHI), Dion Phaneuf (CGY), Cam Ward (CAR), and Colby Armstrong (PIT) were all first-round picks.
Then, on draft day, things seemed to dry up a little bit. Two years ago though, Brandon Sutter got the ball rolling again when he was selected in the first round, 11th overall, by the Carolina Hurricanes.
Judging by Sutter’s impact as a 19-year-old rookie, it looks like it was an astute pick.
This year though, the Rebel logo could very well make a return to prominence on the NHL draft board.
The Central Scouting Bureau released their ’09 preliminary rankings Tuesday morning, and for the first time in years, multiple Rebels are being noticed.
In fact, with five, Red Deer has the most ranked players among any junior hockey team in the nation.
Granted, the CSB rankings have to be taken with a grain of salt, as so much can change in a matter of weeks, let alone between now and draft day.
Here’s how some of the locals fared in the scouts eyes:
7. Tommi Kivisto
Hard to argue with towering Spokane blueliner Jared Cowen at number one, or slick Saskatoon reargaurd Stefan Elliot at number five.
The third highest-ranked d-man in the league though, is Rebel Tommi Kivisto, a six-foot Finn who has adapted very well to the North American game.
Kivisto has a rock-solid two-way game, moves the puck well, and has shown a penchant for physical play in his own end.
Coming overseas as a 17-year-old carries with it a steep learning curve, and we could see Kivisto develop into one of the finest defencemen in the league with a bit more seasoning.
9. Landon Ferraro
Electric. That’s the best way to describe the WHL’s ninth-ranked skater. Come the mid term, Ferraro may be ranked even higher, as he has hit another gear over the last six games, scoring six goals and adding four assists.
The 5’ 11’’ centre has speed to burn, and could close in on 35-40 goals this season. If he keeps up his current pace, I think we could easily see Landon go as a top 10 pick in the entire draft class.
13. Cass Mappin
At this time last season, many thought Mappin was a bit behind the eight ball in terms of development.
With a late-1990 birthdate, Mappin is one of the older players in this year’s class. With added responsibility though, Mappin has flourished this season on the top line, scoring a career high 13 goals and 24 points.
It’s been well documented over the years that power forwards simply take longer to develop.
It looks like Mappin will prove to be no different, but could definitely be worth the wait. A good couple of months, and Mappin could see his stock rise even higher in the mid-term.
19. Willie Coetzee
By far the best, and maybe most surprising story in Rebel-land this season.
Out of his element a year ago, Coetzee came into camp bigger, stronger, faster, and looked like a different player. He’s since developed into a legit second-line WHL centreman.
As of late, his numbers have slowed down somewhat, but with eight goals and 14 points so far this season, Coetzee has definitely been a contributor.
4. Darcy Kuemper
Kuemper, another 18-year-old, is the number four ranked goaltender among WHL draft eligibles and is still a bit of an unkown commodity.
To this point of the season he’s split time with Morgan Clark in the Rebel net, but at times has been tremendous. At nearly 6’4”, Kuemper has the one attribute you can’t teach….size.
All in all, it will be tough to rival the 2008 NHL draft class, as 10 players made their respective opening night NHL rosters.
But with rising stars such as Vancouver’s Evander Kane (ranked second), Brandon’s Brayden Schenn (third) and Kelowna’s Tyson Barrie (eighth), it could be closer than you think.
The CSB will release their mid-term ranks in January, followed by the final rankings in early April.
- Andrew Walker is the game night host of Red Deer Rebels hockey on BIG 105. Check out his blog online: www.bigdrivesports.blogspot.com
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