First off I'd like to offer a huge "Thank you" to Syl for making our selections.
On to our newest Desert Puppies!
Zac Dalpe, C/RW, Penticton (BCHL)
North American Skater. Final Ranking: 16
Selected 23rd in 2008 CPHL Draft
If you haven’t heard of Zac Dalpe yet, don’t worry; he has a tendency to make noise in a hurry. After attracting little interest from the NCAA two summers ago, Dalpe blew the doors off the competition with the Ontario Jr. B Stratford Cullitons. Three games into the season, he had a scholarship to Ohio State.
“I think I had 14 points in three games,” Dalpe recalled. That outburst also caught the attention of the Jr. A Vees, who operate on the other side of the country in B.C.
“It was kind of random, to be honest,” Dalpe said of the interest. Nevertheless, it was a challenge he wanted to take. “I wanted to mature and grow up in B.C. and as soon as I came over I fell in love with it.”
And the Vees are falling in love with Dalpe. Much like fellow Jr. A prospect Joe Colborne, Dalpe was just 5-foot-8 a year and a half ago; he now stands 6-foot-1. Scouts are high on his stellar two-way play and willingness to battle for pucks, something Dalpe is more than happy to keep working on.
“I want to come out of the corner with the puck more often than not,” he said. With 39 points in 30 games (and just six penalty minutes), Dalpe seems to be doing just that. Draft eligible in 2008.
Evgeny Grachev, C Yaroslavl (RusDi)
European Skater. Final Ranking: 9
Selected 46th in 2008 CPHL Draft
Grachev can be compared to another Russian with the same first name – Evgeni Malkin. Grachev’s hulking build is his most noticeable physical trait, that is, until you actually see him play. Grachev enjoys an extremely fluid stride for a player of his stature and has the speed to go with it. His flexible hands and upper body strength are essential at winning face-offs, while his huge wingspan is an asset on the penalty kill.
Philippe Cornet, LW, Rimouski (QMJHL)
North American Skater. Final Ranking: 80
Selected 96th in 2008 CPHL Draft
Very good passer and skater, he is very shifty and opposing players have a difficult time getting the puck away from him.
Braden Holtby, G Saskatoon (WHL)
North American Goaltender. Final Ranking: 4
Selected 106th in 2008 CPHL Draft
Great natural quickness. Glove and leg quickness is outstanding. Game stealing ability. Strong finish to season. Competes.
Some of the best natural athleticism and overall quickness seen from a WHL goaltender in a long time. When he's on, he's the best goaltender in the league. When he's not on, he can be awful. Does not react to giving up goals well.
Great natural ability and some mental maturity in the future give him a lot of upside.
Lance Bouma, C, Vancouver (WHL)
North American Skater. Final Ranking: 68
Selected 116th in 2008 CPHL Draft
Lance has shown the ability to use his speed from the outside to drive to the net. He plays a strong positional game – up and down his wing and works well in the corners; he is at his best when he plays an aggressive style of game and is finishing his checks. He plays the type of game that can make him a good pro player – keeps it simple and works hard on the forecheck and backcheck. He needs to improve on his offensive game and consistency from game-to-game.
Anthony Nigro, C, Guelph (OHL)
North American Skater. Final Ranking: 72
Selected 142nd in 2008 CPHL Draft
A hard working, responsible two-way player who has the ability to produce. He needs to continue to improve his skating and puckhandling ability, he does compete hard, protects the puck well and is good on faceoffs.
Samuel Groulx, D, Quebec (QMJHL)
North American Skater. Final Ranking: 76
Selected 146th in 2008 CPHL Draft
often used on both the power-play and penalty kill units, showing good puck movement from the point and good body position in front of the net to prevent the opposition from gathering rebounds. His at his best when he plays a simple controlled style game, but needs to improve his overall strength and decision making.
Brett Theberge, C, Peterborough (OHL)
North American Skater. Final Ranking: 86
Selected 160th in 2008 CPHL Draft
Plays a high-energy two-way game and creates scoring chances for his linemates through his hard work. He likes to battle and wins his fair share. He was used in all game situations this past season. Will need to improve on his skating in order to take his game to the next level.
Yotes draft results
