Final 2007 Draft Ranking.

Final Draft Rankings – 2006/2007 Season

This is it, folks. This is the final official ranking from Faceoff Factor. It’s been fun, and we still have a few weeks to talk about it. If you leave a comment, I’ll be sure to get back to you. A .pdf format of this file is available by request. A big thanks to everyone that helped. You guys (and Gals) are awesome.

1. Patrick Kane – RW – London Knights (OHL). 5’10 – 170lbs. Shoots L

Kane has a massive offensive upside and had an absolute record year in London, beating goaltenders in every way imaginable. Doubts still remain about his frame, but he is still growing and can add the size needed to be effective. He never slowed down and will score a lot of goals in his NHL career. Has all the offensive tools to be a star.

2006/07 OHL Playoff Stats: 14GP – 9G – 19A – 27Pts – 10PIM
2006/07 OHL Regular Season Stats: 58GP – 62G – 83A – 145Pts – 52PIM

2. Jakub Voracek - C – Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL). 6’1 – 188lbs – Shoots L

Voracek dominated the QMJHL playoffs and put himself on an entire new level. Despite criticism of his U18 performance in Germany, I peg Voracek as one of the safest picks in this year’s draft. He is a leader and can turn it on at any moment. He has been, without a doubt, the steadiest player in each zone this season.

2006/07 QMJHL Playoff Stats: 12GP – 7G – 17A – 24P - +5

3. Kyle Turris – C – Burnaby Express (RBC). 6’0 – 165lbs. Shoots R

The biggest jumper in the ranking so far. The comparisons to Paul Kariya continue. Turris has a great upside and a ton of tools. The lack of experience shouldn’t bother anyone, Turris will get plenty of it at Wisconsin next season. Far removed from the NHL, but will pay a huge dividend to the team with the patience to work with him. Finished with 121 regular season points. Also had a strong showing at the U18.

2006/07 BCHL Playoff Stats: 14GP – 12G – 14A – 26Pts – 16PIM

4. James Van Riemsdyk – C/LW – (U.S.A U-18). 6’3 – 191lbs. – Shoots L

A strong showing in the U18 this month puts James back up in the top 5. He was able to showcase his skill for the first true time as he dominated on the ice in preparation for UNH this coming year. I have a concern that he will be a bit stifled in college due to the lack of physicality allowed, but Van Riemsdyk possesses the tools to be a strong forward in any case. Is still sometimes prone to looking lost without the puck.

2007 U18 Tournament Stats: 7GP – 5G – 7A – 12PTS - +2

5. Alexei Cherepanov - F - Avanguard Omsk (RSL). 6'0 - 183lbs.

While he had a strong showing at the U18, he played a streaky set of games and is prone to brief spells of laziness. Finished a strong season in the RSL and still has an undoubtedly good skill set, however he needs to steadily employ it and translate it to a North American style.

2007 U18 Tournament Stats: 7GP – 5G – 3A – 8Pts - 8PIM – Even

6. Sam Gagner – C – London Knights (OHL). 5’11 – 190lbs – Shoots R

Without a doubt the best playmaker to come out of this draft. Gagner has uncanny vision and makes a crisp, accurate pass. Rarely turns the puck over. Gagner is strong defensively and plays the center position very, very well. His passing skills alone are enough to take him early. Possibly has the highest hockey IQ in this draft class. Finished with an unbelievable 83 assists in 53 regular season games.

2006/07 OHL Playoff Stats: 14GP – 5G – 20A – 25Pts – 18PIM

7. Karl Alzner – D – Calgary Hitmen (WHL) 6’2 – 210lbs – Shoots L

Alzner is fit and ready for the “new” NHL and will translate into a solid 2nd pairing defenseman. Played a strong breakout season with Calgary and had a steady performance in the post-season. His first pass is great and he understands his position well. This is a very safe pick for any team thin at defense. Alzner has the makings of a quiet, steady defenseman. Plays a very disciplined game.

2006/07 WHL Playoff Stats – 16GP – 1G – 11A – 12Pts – 2PIM

8. Logan Couture – F – Ottawa 67’s (QMJHL). 6’1 – 188lbs. – Shoots R

Logan dissapointed some by not living up to his #1 pre-season ISS ranking, but he had a strong, steady enough year to put him in this spot. Couture battled mono early on, but came back blazing. His goal scoring was down, but his defensive play was better and his playmaking was up. Logan is starting to shake the reputation of being lazy on the back-check and played well for Ottawa on the point for the power play.

2006/07 OHL Playoff Stats: 5GP – 1G- 7A – 9Pts – 4PIM

9. Keaton Ellerby- D – Kamloops Blazers (WHL). 6’3 – 182lbs. Shoots L

Ellerby finished a quiet 2007 on a strong note with a good performance in his short appearance with Kamloops. Ellerby will fall under the radar of some teams and could be a real steal come draft day. Started to play with a more aggressive edge that benefited his game greatly, although it did get him into a bit of penalty trouble.

2006/07 WHL Playoff Stats: 4GP – 1G – 2A – 3Pts – 12PIM

10. Angelo Esposito – C – Quebec Remparts (QMJHL). 6’1 – 180lbs.

Esposito fell off the map as a top 5 pick with a lackluster attitude and a slump in scoring. He spent an increased amount of time in the penalty box and his goal production was well away from what it was last year. Esposito will have to prove at the Combine that he is in good shape and ready to work, because right now he hasn’t portrayed that attitude. Woke up a bit in the playoffs but it wasn’t enough as the defending Memorial Cup champions were ousted early. Had 6 points (3+3) in the U18.

2006/07 QMJHL Playoff Stats: 5GP – 4G – 3A – 7Pts – 2PIM - +2

11. Mark Katic – D – Sarnia Sting (OHL). 5’11 – 185lbs – Shoots R

Faceoff Factor is a big fan of Mark Katic. Katic possesses all the tools necessary for success in the “new” NHL. After some poor performances on a big stage (Canada/Russia Challenge, CHL Prospects Game), Katic put on a defensive clinic at the U18, registering only 1 assist but finishing at a team high +10 in seven games. Katic was sound positionally and skated the puck well all tournament. Katic is the prototype for a quiet, puck-moving defensive defenseman. 2 years with the Sting has seasoned him a bit in the ice-time department. Should gain size needed to play his position.

2006/07 OHL Playoff Stats: 4GP – 1G –3A – 4Pts – 8PIM

12. Nick Petrecki– D – Omaha Lancers (USHL). 6’3 – 213lbs. – Shoots L

Petrecki is a huge kid that can punish people and pass the puck well. He’s a man amongst boys in most games, but he’ll need to translate that success to the next level and add some discipline to his game. Petrecki will learn with time how to control himself on the ice, because right now only penalty minutes are holding him back from being a top 10 pick.

2006/07 USHL Stats: 54GP – 11G – 14A – 25Pts – 177PIM

13. Zach Hamill – C – Everett Silvertips (WHL) – 5’11 – 190lbs – Shoots R

Hamill is a steady center that brings loads of experience in the WHL to the table. Drafted into the WHL in 2003 with the expansion Everett Silvertips, Hamill has been a great leader for the team and has progressed as a player year after year. Hamill may be smaller, but he is strong on the puck and a good skater. Hamill has a great amount of offensive tools at his disposal and has a true explosive ability on the puck. Needs to be more assertive in his own end and play at a higher level before being ready for the NHL, but he is a very, very strong pick at #13 this year.

2006/07 WHL Playoff Stats: 12GP – 2G – 8A – 10Pts – 16PIM

14. Mikael Backlund – C – Västerås (SuperElit) – 6’0 – 194lbs – Shoots L

Backlund has a great offensive skill set. He can see the ice well and he plays a very tenacious style of hockey. Grinds the puck in the boards and will take a beating in front of the net to make a play. Needs to work on in-game consistency and his play in the defensive zone. Backlund’s skill set and tenacity cannot be denied. Has the best shot of any Swede in this year’s draft.

2007 U18 Stats: 6GP – 6G – 1A – 7G – 6PIM

15. Joakim Andersson - C - Frölunda J20 (SuperElit) – 6’2 – 198lbs – Shoots L

Andersson has a huge frame and is very strong on the puck. He is very steady in all aspects of offensive play. He has a strong shot, is a decent playmaker, and can skate adequately for someone of his size. The smaller ice surface in the NHL will force him to use his frame more effectively and be more of a power-forward. Andersson’s biggest strength is his strong, responsible play in his own zone, but he lacks the speed and improvisation of other Swede forwards.

2006/07 SuperElit Stats: 41GP – 20G – 26A – 46Pts – 60PIM

16. Alex Plante – D – Calgary Hitmen (WHL) – 6’5 – 220lbs – Shoots R

Big boy Alex Plante had a great season in Calgary where he got some good wheels under him and made a nice first pass while adding a hard, accurate slapper to his retinue. Plante uses his size well and can skate for someone as big as him. Owns the area in front of the net.

2006/07 WHL Playoff Stats: 12GP – 4G- 6A – 10Pts – 12PIM

17. Thomas Hickey- D – Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) – 5’11 – 186 – Shoots L

Hickey played a calm season this year under the tuteladge of Scott Jackson. His offensive capability slowed down but he grew in his own end and began to read offensive plays much better. His skating improved, his vision improved and his patience improved. Hickey still needs to be a bit more physical in the boards but it will be interesting to see how his game evolves. I have him pegged as a very solid two-way defender.

2006/07 WHL Stats: 68GP – 9G – 41A – 50Pts - +15 – 70PIM

18. Maxim Mayorov – LW - Leninogorsk (Vysshaya Liga) – 6’2 – 187lbs – Shoots L

Mayorov had a good year in the Vysshaya Liga and would have been able to showcase his skills on a more grandiose level had he not been injured for the U18 tournament. Mayorov is a typical Russian skill player but some question his work ethic and attitude. This ranking may come back to bite me, but I don’t know enough about this youngster to make a strong assessment and I’ve heard conflicting reports.

2006/07 Leninogorsk Stats: 28GP – 6G – 4A – 10Pts - -5 – 6PIM

19. Bill Sweatt – F – Colorado College – 6’0 – 186lbs – Shoots L

Sweatt is the fastest player available in this year’s draft. He has explosive speed, great start/stop abilities, and strong lateral movement. Sweatt can open up space to make a play and has earned top power-play time for Colorado College as a freshman. Should bulk up even more allowing him to play harder in the boards. Sweatt gets caught staring at times and struggles with accuracy issues on his shots but will hone those skills as he grows to the next level. Considered by many to be the “safest” pick of the late first round.

2006/07 NCAA Statistics: 30GP – 9G – 17A – 26Pts – 18PIM


20. Oscar Moller – RW – Chilliwack Bruins (WHL) – 5’11 – 177lbs – Shoots R

Oscar Moller is a fireball. He plays a kamikaze style of hockey. He is a Swedish skill set with the attitude of a gritty North American youngster. Moller has great movement in close quarters and can keep up with any player. His shot is strong and his sense of the ice is second to none. Moller has great vision and plays a step ahead. He is very gritty and will stand up for himself anytime. Thrives on a small ice surface. Had a rough go of things in the U18 tournament (20 PIM), but still had a strong enough rookie year in Chilliwack to warrant a high ranking.

2006/07 WHL Stats: 68GP – 32G – 37A – 69Pts – 50PIM

21. David Perron – C – Lewiston MAINEiacs (QMJH) – 5’11 – 183lbs – Shoots R

After coming to the QMJHL from the QJAHL, Perron lit the scoreboard night in and night out with his slick, under-the-radar style of play. Perron is a good sniper with strong offensive instincts who finds open ice and can create space for his wingers. He plays strong on his legs and can win the battle in the corner. Showed no need for a transition from one league to the next. Perron stepped in as a rookie and was one of the main catalysts for Lewiston’s championship run.

2006/07 QMJHL Stats: 70GP – 39G – 44A – 83Pts – 75PIM

22. John Blum – D – Vancouver Giants (WHL) – 6’1 – 170lbs – Shoots R

Blum is a good skater and a great playmaker. His big downside is lack of size. He’s yet to hit a big weight boost and grow into his 6’1 frame. Blum needs to gain around 10lbs to really be effective. Blum does carry all the strong points of a “new” NHL defenseman, he can skate the puck well and is a great playmaker. His slapshot is low and accurate, generating a lot of deflections in front of the net. Vancouver hosts the Memorial Cup this year, so that experience will give Blum an added edge on the competition.

2006/07 WHL Playoff Stats: 15GP – 3G – 3A – 6Pts – 2PIM

23. Ryan McDonaugh – D – Cretin/Derham – 6’1 – 200lbs – Shoots L

McDonaugh is another prototype for a solid, puck moving defenseman. Oft compared to Chris Chelios, McDonaugh brings a total package to the table. His vision is supurb and he exhibits good instincts on both ends of the ice. Needs to translate his success to the next level. Still is a big wildcard.

2007 U17 stats: 7GP – 0G – 3A – 3Pts – 4PIM - -1

24. Stefan Legein – RW – Mississauga Ice Dogs (OHL) – 5’9 – 185lbs – Shoots R

Legein is a very interesting player. Despite his lack of NHL size, his conditioning is second-to-none as is his work ethic. Legein has the ability to explode offensively; he scored 4 goals in a game twice this year. Legein won the awards of Most Improved Player and Best Skater in the OHL this year. I am very interested to see where Legein goes. He has a good attitude and could pay a huge dividend for a team willing to take him. He is bound to gain more height/weight as his grows.

2006/07 OHL Stats: 64GP – 43G – 32A – 75Pts – 115PIM

25. Lars Eller – C - Vastra Frolunda (J20 SuperElit) 6’0 – 190lbs – Shoots L

Eller is the best Dane available this year. He has great size and is a very good two way player. Towards the end of the year, as the competition became stiffer, Eller added a good physical element to his game and began to muck and grind for the puck. Eller has a good skill set; strong skating, good vision and a great shot. He is very responsible at both ends of the ice and is strong on his skates. Eller’s biggest strength is his mature, smart style of play and his ability to dominate on special teams.

2006/07 Regular Season Stats: 38GP – 18G – 37A – 55Pts - +22 – 58PIM

26. Logan MacMillan – C – Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) – 6’1 – 184lbs – Shoots L

MacMillan appears to be the total package. A hard worker, MacMillan is a quiet player that seems to do everything right. Solid offensively and defensively, MacMillan is a great special team’s player and can play anywhere on the power-play. Plays a very disciplined game. Needs to get better in the conditioning department and improve his skating. Played well with star forward Jakub Voracek this year.

2007/07 QMJHL Statistics: 68GP - 20G – 45A – 55Pts – 82PIM

27. T.J. Brennan – D – St. John’s Fog Devils (QMJHL) – 6’0 – 198lbs – Shoots L

Brennan is a strong offensive defenseman. His skating needs a bit of work but he’s strong on the puck and has a good set of quick hands. Brennan can work the puck around forecheckers using his strong one on one skills and his solid frame. Beat a few goalies this year with some great moves ahead of the play and was utilized in the shootout in the AMHL.

2006/07 QMJHL Stats: 68GP – 16G – 25A – 41Pts – 79PIM

28. Kevin Shattenkirk – D – USA NTDP – 5’11 – 190lbs – Shoots R

Shattenkirk loves to jump into the play. I’ve heard a lot of scout’s say he’s strong on his stick and you can see it. He wins all the battles in the board without really using his size. He has dicey skates and his lateral movement is great. Smart player, has a strong all around game. Needs to translate success over to Boston University.

2007 U18 Stats: 7GP – 1G – 4A – 5Pts – 2PIM – -1

29. Simon Hjalmarsson – LW – Frolunda – 5’11 – 161lbs – Shoots L

This kid absolutely tore up the Swedish Jr. league this year with some fantastic finishing performances and a wicked wrist shot. Watching video of this kid is a real treat. His hands are great and his offensive instinct is as well. Has adequate wheels. Needs to gain some size and become more physical. Has an explosive offensive tendency.

Team Sweden WJC Stats: 6GP – 4G – 5A – 9Pts - +8

30. Colton Gillies – C – Saskatoon Blades (WHL) – 6’4 – 182lbs – Shoots L

Gillies is a monster in this draft class. He has great size and a nose for the net. His play in the defensive zone is great. He has rough offensive instincts but is a good skater for his size. Gillies needs to use his frame in front of the goal and mix it up in traffic more to be effective. Scouts say his hockey IQ is very low and he needs to have a better attitude. Lacks true control of the game. Needs to be more disciplined, his hitting nature earns him a ton of penalties. Is the most physical forward in this draft class.

2006/07 WHL Stats: 65GP – 13G – 17A – 30Pts - -20 – 148PIM