Beach honored, Bantam draft approaches
Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, May 1, 2007
As expected, Everett left wing Kyle Beach was named the league’s Rookie of the Year today. Can’t imagine this one was much of a contest. Beach had one of the best seasons by a 16-year-old in recent memory, and he appears ticketed for the lottery in the 2008 NHL draft. Center Damir Alic (Scholastic Player of the Year) and coach Kevin Constantine (Coach of the Year) fell short in their bids for league awards.
Next up is the bantam draft, which takes place tomorrow. The bantam draft is probably the day that generates the most optimism throughout the league as teams are able to envision a perfect future — without the uncertain reality of life of the WHL getting in the way. Everett should be the least optimistic of the bunch, selecting last at 22nd overall. However, word is this year’s draft crop is deep, but lacking franchise-type players. So maybe this was the right year to be picking last. Besides, on draft day everyone believes they got a steal.
Once again there’s intrigue with the first overall pick heading into draft day. Last year defenseman Jared Cowen was the consensus top player, but he told Spokane not to draft him as he preferre to play closer to his home in Saskatoon. The Chiefs picked Cowen anyway and ended up convincing him to sign, so it all worked out in the end.
Another U.S. Division foe, Portland, finds itself in a similar position this year. The Winter Hawks have the first overall pick and want to take Phoenix forward Luke Moffatt (the top pick in the WHL bantam draft from the desert? go figure). However, Moffatt has expressed uncertainty on whether to commit to Portland. Newspaper reports out of Portland and Brandon suggest Moffatt is in favor of playing in the WHL, as opposed to the NCAA, but maybe not in Portland.
It’s possible Portland could suffer the same fate as yet another U.S. Division foe, Tri-City, did in 2003. The Americans, selecting first overall, took forward Jonathan Towes. But Tri-City got burned as Toews never reported, instead playing in the NCAA for North Dakota. Imagine how good the Americans would have been this season had they had Toews, who ended up being selected third overall in the 2006 NHL draft.
Therefore the Winter Hawks are faced with a dilemma. Portland suffered through a terrible season and has all kinds of lease issues with its arenas. Another PR hit, should the Winter Hawks draft Moffatt and he doesn’t report, could be devastating to the franchise. I don’t envy the decision the Winter Hawks brass is faced with.
