As The Associated Press reports, it been quite a rise for Jonathan Huberdeau who went from borderline first round pick to an almost guaranteed spot in the top six of tonight’s draft.
"I gained confidence last year in the playoffs when I ended the season good," Huberdeau said Thursday to the AP as the top prospects met with the media at a downtown art museum. "I took that into this season and started playing good.
"I tried to improve my weaknesses [speed, muscle] and my strengths [vision, playmaking] and I think that's why I had a good season."
"It started last year in the playoffs when he really took off," Sea Dogs coach Gerard Gallant said of Huberdeau. "He was a good player as a 16-year-old last season but when he came into the playoffs he was an outstanding player.
The Sea Dogs’ top scorer had just 35 points in his rookie season in 61 games before breaking out in the 2010 post-season with 18 points in 21 games.
ALLENS DRAFT RANKINGS
Kevin Allen of USA Today released his top 30 draft rankings yesterday. Four Sea Dogs made the list with Huberdeau being the highest at No. 3. Nathan Beaulieu was ranked 11th overall, Zack Phillips 28th, and Tomas Jurco 30th.
The only other Quebec leaguer on the list was Sean Couturier at No. 6.
WHAT ABOUT WINNIPEG?
The Winnipeg Jets (!) have the seventh overall pick in today’s draft, meaning they could get a crack at drafting Nathan Beaulieu.
“It’s obviously a possibility, they’re right in my area,” said Beaulieu to the Winnipeg Sun. “I’m pretty excited to see what happens (Friday) and maybe it will be Winnipeg.”
“I can’t wait for the process. Hopefully, I’m not waiting too long.”
Most mock drafts have Beaulieu going anywhere from 9-14. The Bruins have the No. 9 pick and there has been plenty of folks who believe the Stanley Cup champs may select the offensive defenseman.
Speaking of Beaulieu, Corey Pronman of Puck Prospects tweeted that he is “hearing over 5 teams in the top 15 hope Beaulieu gets to their pick.”
PHILLIPS TO CALGARY
The Calgary Flames have the 13th overall pick tonight and are in good position if they hope to select Zack Phillips. The Calgary Sun names Phillips as a candidate for the Flames’ pick.
His second season with the Sea Dogs was a dynamic one. Phillips netted 38 goals this season, putting up 95 points in 67 games with the Memorial Cup champs. The big knock on the Maritimes product is his skating — but that might be the only thing keeping him out of the top 10 selections this weekend. Once he gets a little stronger in that area, he’ll boast all the characteristics teams want up the middle.What would Phillips look like in a Flames jersey? @SJSDhockeyfan has the answer:
COULD HUBERDEAU MAKE THE JUMP?
Is Jonathan Huberdeau the next Jeff Skinner? The Carolina Hurricanes took Skinner in the first round of last year’s draft and shocked everyone by staying in the NHL all year en route to winning the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie. The Edmonton Journal examined the possibility of Huberdeau sticking in the pro-ranks next year.
“I think he can make the NHL right away, if he can get to 180 pounds … he plays like Ryan Smyth in junior,” said Hockey Canada’s head scout Kevin Prendergast. “If he’s got a chance to score, he’ll go head-first through the wall. I’ve talked to lots of scouts and they’re salivating over this kid. He could go third but, at the end of the day, he could be the best player.
“I’m scared to death he makes the league right away and we don’t have him for our world junior team.”
Prendergast added that “Huberdeau isn’t that strong like Skinner but he’s always around the net. He’s taller, six-one or six-two, but he’s only about 165 pounds now. But if Huberdeau gets to 180 with the way he plays, he’ll find a way to play in the NHL.”
Obviously, it would great to see him make the NHL next year. But his absence from the Sea Dogs lineup would be a huge blow.
MORE ON MIDGLEY
If you missed it yesterday, former Sea Dogs assistant coach Jim Midgley has joined the Halifax Mooseheads as an assistant coach. Midgley has spent the last two seasons coaching at Rothesay Netherwood.
"Leaving RNS is tough, but major junior is the level I want to be coaching at,” said Midgley to the Telegraph-Journal. “From talking with Dominique (Ducharme), I really liked his coaching philosophy."
Midgley will join an all new coaching staff in Halifax led by Ducharme. The other assistant in Steve Hartley.
PALOV’S MOCK DRAFT
In the Chronicle Herald’s mock draft, Willy Palov has three Sea Dogs going in the first round. Huberdeau is the highest at No. 3 (Florida), Beaulieu is at No. 10 (Minnesota), and Phillips at No. 24 (Detroit).
CBJ CAMP
The Columbus Blue Jackets released their development roster on Wednesday and it has plenty of Sea Dogs representation on it. Among those taking part will be Sea Dogs goaltender Mathieu Corbeil and former captain Mike Thomas. Steven Delisle, who the Sea Dogs acquired rights to last season, will also be at the camp.
According to the Blue Jackets, “the development camp will begin with medicals and fitness testing as well as an on-ice session on Tuesday, June 28, following four more days of on and off-ice workouts.”
The camp begins this Tuesday and ends Saturday, July 2.
GETTING TO KNOW BEAULIEU
Open Ice Hockey speaks to Nathan Beaulieu.
JERSEYS
Puck Daddy asks several top prospects about the first jersey they ever owned.
Photo Credit: AP
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