Capitals Draft Review: Defense
The Washington Capitals picked five blueliners in the entry draft, restocking a Junior corps that will lose seven defenders after the season. It was a definite position of need, and GM John Henry didn't mess around making his selections.
The first defenseman picked, Brett Carson, is an 18-year-old hulk from the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League. At 6-4 and 220 pounds, Carson can play the body and throw his weight around. He's also a powerful and speedy skater with a long stride thanks to his powerful lower body. He's strong in his own end with some offensive potential. Brett handles the puck well and very rarely makes a bad outlet pass. In his last season with the Hitmen, Carson had eight goals and 16 assists along with 61 PIMs in 61 games.
Next up for the Capitals was 17-year-old Jean-Claude Sawyer from the Cape-Breton Screaming Eagles of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Sawyer checks in at 6-2, 194, and is a good two-way defenseman. He's described by scouts as a smart player and at just 17, he still has plenty of growing to do. Last season with the Screaming Eagles, Sawyer scored 10 goals and added 22 assists with 53 PIMs in 58 games.
With the 90th pick in the draft, Henry went across the pond to select 6-4, 187 pound, Siarhei Kolasau from Minsk, Belarus. Another hulking defender, he skates well for a man his size and is sound defensively. He also has a great attitude and excellent work ethic. Kolasau will never be a star on the offensive end, but he can join the rush and deliver a good outlet pass. His main strength is his physical presence, ability to hammer opposing forwards along the boards, and clearing the crease. Last season with Dinamo Minsk of the Belarussian Elite League, Siarhei scored two goals and added six assists. He also had 24 PIMs in 37 games. He also represented his country in the World Junior Championships in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
The fourth defender taken by Washington was 19-year-old Ivan Baranka from Ilva, Slovakia. A definite sleeper at 96th overall, Baranka is a very physical player who loves to take the body with authority. He's also a speedy skater with good puckhandling skills and above-agerage passing. He is primarily a defensive blueliner, but he can step up and add to the offense. In his last season with the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League, Baranka had seven goals and 16 assists in 64 games. He also recorded 64 PIMs.
With Washington's final pick in the draft, Henry tabbed Matthew Hansen of North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada. Hansen, 19, checks in at 6-4, 205 pounds, and played for the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League. In his last season for the Thunderbirds, Hansen scored five goals and added 20 assists. He also took 28 PIMs in 62 games.
All five defensive prospects stand a good chance of making the big club someday, but it will take hard work, perseverance, and luck to crack the CLUTCH pro ranks.
The first defenseman picked, Brett Carson, is an 18-year-old hulk from the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League. At 6-4 and 220 pounds, Carson can play the body and throw his weight around. He's also a powerful and speedy skater with a long stride thanks to his powerful lower body. He's strong in his own end with some offensive potential. Brett handles the puck well and very rarely makes a bad outlet pass. In his last season with the Hitmen, Carson had eight goals and 16 assists along with 61 PIMs in 61 games.
Next up for the Capitals was 17-year-old Jean-Claude Sawyer from the Cape-Breton Screaming Eagles of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Sawyer checks in at 6-2, 194, and is a good two-way defenseman. He's described by scouts as a smart player and at just 17, he still has plenty of growing to do. Last season with the Screaming Eagles, Sawyer scored 10 goals and added 22 assists with 53 PIMs in 58 games.
With the 90th pick in the draft, Henry went across the pond to select 6-4, 187 pound, Siarhei Kolasau from Minsk, Belarus. Another hulking defender, he skates well for a man his size and is sound defensively. He also has a great attitude and excellent work ethic. Kolasau will never be a star on the offensive end, but he can join the rush and deliver a good outlet pass. His main strength is his physical presence, ability to hammer opposing forwards along the boards, and clearing the crease. Last season with Dinamo Minsk of the Belarussian Elite League, Siarhei scored two goals and added six assists. He also had 24 PIMs in 37 games. He also represented his country in the World Junior Championships in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
The fourth defender taken by Washington was 19-year-old Ivan Baranka from Ilva, Slovakia. A definite sleeper at 96th overall, Baranka is a very physical player who loves to take the body with authority. He's also a speedy skater with good puckhandling skills and above-agerage passing. He is primarily a defensive blueliner, but he can step up and add to the offense. In his last season with the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League, Baranka had seven goals and 16 assists in 64 games. He also recorded 64 PIMs.
With Washington's final pick in the draft, Henry tabbed Matthew Hansen of North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada. Hansen, 19, checks in at 6-4, 205 pounds, and played for the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League. In his last season for the Thunderbirds, Hansen scored five goals and added 20 assists. He also took 28 PIMs in 62 games.All five defensive prospects stand a good chance of making the big club someday, but it will take hard work, perseverance, and luck to crack the CLUTCH pro ranks.
posted by John at 8:33 PM
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