Capitals Draft Review: Forwards
The Washington Capitals selected five forwards during the Yr. 2006 Entry Draft. With 10 players at age 23 or under, forward is a strong position for the Junior Capitals, but the team still needed to add some good young prospects to the system.
The first offensive player taken was Russian winger Gennady Stolyarov. The 6-4, 187 pound, 17-year-old, right wing played last season for Vityaz Podolsk in Russia's second-tier league. He has tremendous size and is a very good skater for such a big player. He's good on the puck and is expected to be more of a scorer than a playmaker. A quick wrist shot makes him very dangerous around the net, and with development he'll learn to use his big body to his advantage. He's still a raw prospect, but his skills and size make him intriguing for the Capitals.
Next up was Jared Walker, an 18-year-old center from the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League. The Winnnipeg, Manitoba, Canada native is a quick skating two-way pivot. He's very aggressive on the forecheck and will develop as his body matures. He checks in at 6-3 and 183 pounds. Last season with the Rebels, Walker scored 13 goals and added nine assists with 74 PIMs in 61 games.
With the 67th overall pick, the Capitals selected right wing Petr Pohl from the Gatineau Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. At age 17 and 5-11, 185 pounds, the Jaromer, Czech Republic native is a small but highly skilled player. He relies on his shiftiness and quickness to put up the points. He has very soft hands, one wonder how they compare with Nim's, and he is very patient around the net. Petr is also a good stickhandler with an impressive shot. Last season with the Olympiques, Pohl scored 27 goals and dished out 32 assists. He also had 16 PIMs in 62 games.
The fourth forward picked by Washington was 18-year-old LW David Fredriksson from HV71 Jonkoping of the Swedish Elite League. Fredriksson is a big power forward at 6-2, 214 pounds, and is as strong as they come. He is a hardworking player and not afraid to use his large frame. He hasn't blossomed offensively yet, but he still plays a strong overall game. He has the potential to be a great weapon in front of the net and along the boards. Last season he was scoreless in 18 games with the senior club. He scored one goal in two games with the Junior side.
The final forward picked was Andrew Joudrey, a 5-11, 197 pound, center from Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada. Currently playing for the Wisconsin Badgers of the NCAA, Joudrey is a real sleeper pick at 131st overall. A playmaking pivot, he sees the ice well and has impressed coaches with his leadership, skating, faceoffs, and defensive play. Joudrey has also shown the versatility to play the point on the power play. In two seasons with the Badgers, Andrew has 14 goals and 32 assists with 20 PIMs in 83 games.
All five offensive prospects stand a good chance of making the big club and lighting the lamp in the pro ranks someday, but it will take hard work, perseverance, and luck to crack the top level of CLUTCH hockey.
The first offensive player taken was Russian winger Gennady Stolyarov. The 6-4, 187 pound, 17-year-old, right wing played last season for Vityaz Podolsk in Russia's second-tier league. He has tremendous size and is a very good skater for such a big player. He's good on the puck and is expected to be more of a scorer than a playmaker. A quick wrist shot makes him very dangerous around the net, and with development he'll learn to use his big body to his advantage. He's still a raw prospect, but his skills and size make him intriguing for the Capitals.
Next up was Jared Walker, an 18-year-old center from the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League. The Winnnipeg, Manitoba, Canada native is a quick skating two-way pivot. He's very aggressive on the forecheck and will develop as his body matures. He checks in at 6-3 and 183 pounds. Last season with the Rebels, Walker scored 13 goals and added nine assists with 74 PIMs in 61 games.
With the 67th overall pick, the Capitals selected right wing Petr Pohl from the Gatineau Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. At age 17 and 5-11, 185 pounds, the Jaromer, Czech Republic native is a small but highly skilled player. He relies on his shiftiness and quickness to put up the points. He has very soft hands, one wonder how they compare with Nim's, and he is very patient around the net. Petr is also a good stickhandler with an impressive shot. Last season with the Olympiques, Pohl scored 27 goals and dished out 32 assists. He also had 16 PIMs in 62 games.
The fourth forward picked by Washington was 18-year-old LW David Fredriksson from HV71 Jonkoping of the Swedish Elite League. Fredriksson is a big power forward at 6-2, 214 pounds, and is as strong as they come. He is a hardworking player and not afraid to use his large frame. He hasn't blossomed offensively yet, but he still plays a strong overall game. He has the potential to be a great weapon in front of the net and along the boards. Last season he was scoreless in 18 games with the senior club. He scored one goal in two games with the Junior side.
The final forward picked was Andrew Joudrey, a 5-11, 197 pound, center from Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada. Currently playing for the Wisconsin Badgers of the NCAA, Joudrey is a real sleeper pick at 131st overall. A playmaking pivot, he sees the ice well and has impressed coaches with his leadership, skating, faceoffs, and defensive play. Joudrey has also shown the versatility to play the point on the power play. In two seasons with the Badgers, Andrew has 14 goals and 32 assists with 20 PIMs in 83 games.All five offensive prospects stand a good chance of making the big club and lighting the lamp in the pro ranks someday, but it will take hard work, perseverance, and luck to crack the top level of CLUTCH hockey.
posted by John at 9:07 PM
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