Manitobans make impact on draft Day 2

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This article was published 23/06/2017 (2490 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Roblin’s Josh Brook, a swift-skating defenceman with the Western Hockey League’s Moose Jaw Warriors, was the first Manitoban off the board Saturday morning when he was taken in the second round (56th overall) by the Montreal Canadiens during Day 2 of the NHL Draft in Chicago.

In Friday’s first round, Nolan Patrick, an 18-year-old centre from the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings, went second overall to the Philadelphia Flyers while the Vegas Golden Knights plucked fellow Winnipegger Cody Glass with the sixth-overall pick. Glass is expected to start his third season with the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks this fall while Patrick is a good bet to play in the NHL immediately.

A total of eight Manitobans were chosen during the two-day event.

Brook, a late riser on many draft boards who was rated 49th overall by NHL Central Scouting, was thrilled to be going to the Habs.

“I kinda had an idea (the NHL Combine interview) went well,” Brook said via telephone from Roblin, where he was to attend his high school graduation ceremony later in the day.

“It’s awesome — I’m super excited,” he added. “I’ve got all of my family here, so we’re just celebrating.”

Brook was followed by centre Morgan Geekie of Strathclair, a 6-2, 190-pounder from the WHL’s Tri-City Americans who went in the third round (67th overall) to the Carolina Hurricanes. Geekie was rated 45th among North American skaters by Central Scouting, but improved his stock dramatically from the the 2015-16 season when he was bypassed completely in the 2016 draft.

“I talked to them a couple of times, but no more than any others, so it was a surprise when I heard my named picked there,” Geekie said via telephone from Strathclair, where he was enjoying draft day with family and friends.

“It’s pretty tough to put into words actually,” Geekie said. “It’s a special time and of course there’s some relief in getting picked, but everything came to a point here and it’s another step in the right direction. But you’re going to have to put the work in — starting now.”

Geekie is slated to attend Carolina’s annual prospect development camp beginning Tuesday.

The Hurricanes quickly followed up in the third round by selecting right-winger Stelio Mattheos of the Brandon Wheat Kings 73rd overall. Mattheos — a 6-0, 189-pound Winnipegger — was Brandon’s No. 1 choice in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft. Mattheos came into the draft ranked 38th.

“It was a bit nerve-racking for sure,” Mattheos said.

“Hearing my name is really special I think. My family has been huge in this, and it’s a day for all of us and not just me. I’m really excited…

“I didn’t know at all where I was going. I was just hoping that I would go to a place where I would be happy and a great team and I think I got that for sure.”

Mattheos is expected to join Geekie at development camp.

“I’ve heard great things,” Mattheos said.

“I think we have a bright future and I want to be a big part of that. I remember their Cup run in 2005 when they beat the Oilers. That’s one thing I remember.”

With the opening choice of the fourth round, the Colorado Avalanche snapped up 17-year-old Regina Pats sniper Nick Henry with the 94th overall choice. The Portage la Prairie product’s draft stock had dropped after being rated 25th by Central Scouting. Henry finished his rookie season in the WHL with 35 goals and 81 points in 72 games.

“I think a lot of people misunderstand the Central Scouting rankings,” Henry said. “Because it was North American (No.) 25, that’s not the entire world. There are a lot of guys that get missed on those lists. There are guys making those lists for a reason and guys picking their teams for a reason. Those list aren’t always accurate, so you can’t really compare those to how the actual draft goes — other than the first few picks.”

The Avs, who were the NHL’s worst team in 2016-17 are clearly in rebuilding mode, a fact not lost on Henry who leaves today for Colorado’s development camp.

“I’m extremely happy,” Henry said. “It’s probably the best day of my life so far.”

In the sixth round, the Dallas Stars chose Oakbank’s Brett Davis, an 18-year-old right-winger from the WHL’s Kootenay Ice. The 6-1, 184-pounder had been rated 142nd by Central Scouting.

“I hadn’t talked to them at all or heard anything,” Davis said. “My agent called me after and said they had been pretty interested the whole time.”

Davis leaves for the start of the Stars’ development camp on July 6.

Virden’s Wyatt Kalynuk, a 20-year-old defenceman from the USHL’s Bloomington Thunder, was chosen by Philadelphia in Round 7 (196th overall). Kalynuk committed to the University of Wisconsin earlier this year and was unranked by Central Scouting.

Two Manitobans — Brandon left-winger Ty Lewis (59th) and Western Michigan centre Colt Conrad (194th), of St. Alphonse — were ranked but not drafted.

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @sawa14