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Friday, June 27, 2014

NHL Draft Weekend Has Arrived

The 2011 NHL Draft is no doubt one of the top moments in Saint John Sea Dogs history.

Three players were chosen in the first round that year, highlighted by Jonathan Huberdeau going third overall. The following day, Tomas Jurco and Ryan Tesink were picked, giving Saint John five drafted players in one draft.

But since Tesink went 162nd overall to the St. Louis Blues in 2011, not a single Sea Dogs player has been picked. That could change this weekend.

No Sea Dogs were picked in the 2012 or 2013 NHL Drafts. It’s very unlikely one will be picked in tonight’s first round; but tomorrow is a different story.

Three Saint John players were listed in NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings. Defenseman Olivier LeBlanc has the best chance of ending the Dogs’ draft drought and came in at No. 126. Forwards Matthew Highmore and Spencer Smallman were ranked 155th and 173rd, respectively.

Forward Juraj Siska, Saint John’s import pick from a year ago who didn’t play a single game this season due to injury, was given a “limited viewing” listing by Central Scouting.

The 2014 NHL Draft begins tonight at 8pm on TSN. Coverage continues tomorrow on NHL Network. 

Via the Sea Dogs website, here are all the Sea Dogs who have ever been drafted:

2006 - Felix Schutz - 4th round, 117th overall, Buffalo Sabres
2007 - Alex Grant - 4th round, 118th overall, Pittsburgh Penguins
2007 - Christopher DiDomenico - 6th round, 164th overall, Toronto Maple Leafs
2008 - Yann Sauve - 2nd round, 41st overall, Vancouver Canucks
2009 - Simon Despres - 1st round, 30th overall, Pittsburgh Penguins
2009 - Steven Anthony - 7th round, 187th overall, Vancouver Canucks
2010 - Stanislav Galiev - 3rd round, 86th overall, Washington Capitals
2010 - Stephen MacAulay - 6th round, 164th overall, St. Louis Blues
2011 - Jonathan Huberdeau - 1st round, 3rd overall, Florida Panthers
2011 - Nathan Beaulieu - 1st round, 17th overall, Montreal Canadiens
2011 - Zack Phillips - 1st round, 28th overall, Minnesota Wild
2011 - Tomas Jurco - 2nd round, 35th overall, Detroit Red Wings
2011 - Ryan Tesink - 6th round, 162nd overall, St. Louis Blues 

Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation

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