Station Nation Staff
By day’s end, at least one Saint John Sea Dog will be affiliated with a National Hockey League team.
“I’m looking forward to it,” said Sea Dogs forward Stephen MacAulay to Metro Halifax Friday. The Nova Scotia native is by no means a lock to be selected as he ranked 72nd among North Americans by Central Scouting.
“I think it will be a long day but hopefully by the end of it, it will be worth it.”
The 18 year old will not be attending the draft in Los Angles which continues this afternoon with rounds two through seven going down.
Last season, MacAulay played the role of a shut down forward more than an offensive weapon. In 56 games with the regular season champion Sea Dogs, MacAulay scored eight goals and added 13 assists. In the post-season, he registered two goals and eight assists.
“I put up some points, but (did well) in a defensive role, too. I threw the body a lot and our line played really well.”
Another long shot to be drafted today is Danick Gauthier, who was ranked at number 147 amongst North Americans by Central Scouting.
“I thought about it a little during the season, but when the playoffs started all I was thinking about was winning the series,” said Gauthier to HockeyProspect.com when asked if he was nervous for the NHL’s annual player picking process.
“Now that the season is over I am thinking about it, but not nervous.”
Gauthier recorded 13 goals and nine assists in 66 games during the regular season. In the playoffs, the 19-year old right winger scored six goals and four assists. Much like MacAulay, Gauthier is known more for his grittiness then offensive skills.
One guarantee today involves Stanislav Galiev, who will hear his name called in the early parts of today’s events. Most agencies had the Russian rookie going late in last night’s first round or in the opening half of the second round. Although not drafted in the opening 30 picks, there are still a number of players who could have gone in what was a wild first round.
TSN ranks Galiev as their 40th best prospect, NHL Central Scouting lists him at 20, International Scouting Services at 24, and The Hockey News has the 18-year old going at 37.
One final Sea Dog could be selected this afternoon. Like Mike Hoffman and Nicholas Petersen a year ago, Michael Kirkpatrick will hope to hear his name called today in his second go around. The now-overage forward attended Minnesota Wild rookie camp last season as an invitee but was not signed.
The North Sydney, Nova Scotia native recorded 29 goals and 54 assists in 67 regular season games. In the post-season, Kirkpatrick added 15 goals and 16 assists.
If Kirkpatrick is not selected today, he could still be signed as a free agent much like Robert Mayer was in 2008.
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