'Canes Draft Day Flashback

[Hanna Sniper]

The Carolina Hurricanes pull out the time capsule and have some fun at their own expense as they expose their astute draft skills. Following is the Hurricanes post following each CPHL Draft since 2005

2005

YEAH-BABY!!



Yeah, baby, to borrow a Peter Maher favourite was the words echoing out of the Oliers war room yesterday as CPHL Commissioner KevanGuy called the Carolina Hurricanes to the podium for the 6th overall pick in the 2005-06 Entry Draft.

Yeah, baby.

Word started leaking out Saturday night that the Hurricanes may have made a deal that would move them up in the draft for a chance to land their highly sought after franchise player. “We knew we came to an agreement to move up into Winnipeg’s 6th spot, but even then we were fearful that we didn’t get high enough” said the excited GM Hanna Sniper “those five picks seem to take a lifetime”.

13,531 fans had assembled into RBC Center to listen to the draft be broadcasted over the arena’s sound system. The Carolina Hurricanes had announced the night before that they would be opening their doors and welcoming fans to listen to the historic draft. “We were pretty much surprised when Hanna announced that they were opening the doors, we knew something big was in the works and didn’t want to miss it” said one ‘Canes fan as for some unknown reason there was a buzz of excitement rumbling throughout the arena till finally it exploded. After the Quebec Nordiques selected Defenceman Jack Johnson with the 4th overall pick Commissioner Flambers announced that a trade had been made between the Winnipeg Jets and the Carolina Hurricanes, and with that the roof was ripped off of RBC Center as fans now new the jig, their GM had indeed delivered. As KevanGuy called the Hurricanes to the podium to make their pick, GM Hanna couldn’t sprint to the mic any quicker. Upon arriving to the stage with both fist pumping with adrenalin and to Panthers GM mjk123 confusion KevanGuy stepped up to the mike again... uhm I mean Panthers have the next pick, sorry. “With the excitement we didn’t even realize that they made a mistake and skipped the 5th pick, it was a long walk back to our table, to be that close and now the Panthers may pick our guy”. As mjk123 stepped up to the microphone you could hear a pin drop in RBC Center as the sound was dead silent. Then those wonderful wards as mjk123 spoke into the mic…”Bobby Ryan”.
“I didn’t think I could get to the podium any quicker then I did the first time but I’m sure I shaved a few seconds off my time” kidded Hanna” “mjk123 hadn’t even left the stage yet and I was already brushing past him”. RBC Center had began the chant Gullaume, Gullaume, Gullaume.

“With the 6th pick of the 2005-06 Daft the Carolina Hurricanes proudly select from the Drummondville Voltigeurs, Right Winger Guillaume Latendresse.”

Yeah, baby.

“I had a great interview with GM Hanna before the draft and I knew they were interested in me but I didn’t think there was a chance I would be able last long enough for the Hurricanes to pick me” commented Latendresse “but when arriving to the draft this morning I had passed Hanna and he seemed to give a quick smirk as he slowly nodded to me, I knew the ‘Canes were making waves. When it was announced over the speakers that the Hurricanes has just acquired the 6th overall pick I was pretty excited, I’m on cloud nine, this is great”.



“We’ve had a pretty frustrating off-season, it seems what can go wrong just does, but this is unbelievable. It’s not often when you can walk away from the draft and believe that you just picked the best player. This team has been without an identy since we traded the Nathan “Franchise” Horton away during the season and now that we now have Guillaume in our ranks it’s just unbelievable. I can’t even remember the rest of the draft, once we picked Guillaume we just couldn’t contain our excitement. We felted bad really, because we kept out calling of names that had already been picked and I’m sure the league was getting tired of it but we had Guillaume sitting right their at our table and man we just couldn’t follow from our excitement. This is easily the best day in Carolina Hurricanes history, there’s really nothing I can say except YEAH-BABY!!

[Hanna Sniper]

2006



UNSUTTERLIKE?


Height: 184cm/6'0" Weight: 78kg/171.6 lb
Position: Defenseman Shoots: Left
Born: 1988-08-18 Birthplace: 1988-08-18
Assets: Skating ability, hard shot Weakness: Human

Darryl Sutter and the Carolina Hurricanes selected the offensive gifted defenceman Ivan Vishnevsky from the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the QMJHL with their 1st and only selection in the 2006 CPHL Entry Draft. The section of Vishnevsky brings in a different regime as the Hurricanes continue to revamp the ‘Canes to there newly appointed Coach Darryl Sutter demands. Much in the same light that seen the ‘Canes bring in defensive bookends of Mike Rathje and Hal Gill and the possible signing of young sensation Danny Richmond the Hurricanes look to once again boost their defence with the purest offensive Defenseman in the Draft.



Vishnevsky had 13G 35A 48PTS in only 54 games as a rookie for the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the QMJHL this season. After a gruelling two-month ordeal to gain a release from Lada Togliatti, Vishnevsky immediately energized the Huskies on both the breakout and the power play with his tremendous skating and passing abilities, and he instantly showed the potential to become one of the top offensive, finesse defensemen in this year's draft.

[Hanna Sniper]

2007



BLOODLINES

Thanks to Kris and Grant for the great job of running this years draft, it's tough enough to draft for ones self that I couldn't imagine running the draft also.. great job.

I may have picked my selections a lot sooner then I should but in the end I thought it was best to make sure I had the players I really wanted..

#4 Overall - C Sam Gagner, London Knights (OHL)

Gagner helps replenish a big hole in the Hurricanes organization, his playmaking abilities and pure hockey sense just couldn’t be passed over in the draft. For the Hurricanes it was a tough decision Kane – Gagner or Gagner – Kane. Lucky enough, Gagner fell in the draft enough that the Hurricanes quickly changed from the player they had targeted and gladly welcomed the Oakville native. One of the reasons we had him so highly regarded with Kane and we feel is a little overlooked is that Gagner is 9 months younger then his fellow teammate. In the end it was also nice to be able to add a son of a former Flame within the organization.

#9 Overall – C Angelo Esposito, Quebec (QMJHL)

High risk, high reward… or is it a risk?. Esposito brings great skating and solid scoring ability. Although his stock has dropped of from expectation I wonder if it’s a case of a player being blamed for scouts putting to high of expectations on him. Once again like with the Gagner pick the ‘Canes were forced to abandon their slotted selection for a player that they just didn’t think would be around still.

#29 Overall - C Center Maxime Tanguay, Rimouski (QMJHL)

Learning a lesson from previous drafts (Guillaume Latendresse), if you like a player then draft him regardless where you think he’ll fall. Like with Gagner and Esposito Tanguay brings a high level of skill. With only Brad Boyes on the big team and Derick Brassard maturing in the system the Hurricanes were looking to address a big time need. I was looking to draft Maxime deeper in the draft through a trade but once the players I had slotted for 29th and 34th were selected it was just a case of either taking some risk and having a free couple picks to progress some players or just go ahead and bump our next two picks up regardless of placement... In the end I just thought it wasn’t worth risking leaving the another Flame bloodline hanging in the draft.

[Hanna Sniper]

2008

SMALLNSTAAL



Thanks to Grant for the great job of running this years draft, it's tough enough to draft for ones self that I couldn't imagine running the draft also.. cheers.


#10 Overall - Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)
North American Skater. Final Ranking: 8

2007-08: anaged 31 goals, 60 assists, and a plus-19 ranking last season while finishing third overall in the WHL regular season scoring race. Boychuk toiled for the Lethbridge Hurricanes and was a key contributor to the success that landed the club in the WHL Championship series against the eventual Memorial Cup champion Spokane Chiefs. To the organization’s credit, he has not been held back from putting his offensive skills on display. He was a member of Team Canada at the WJC..


#20 Overall – Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
North American Skater. Final Ranking: 43

The youngest Staal has the bloodlines – brothers Jordan, Marc, and Eric are already certified NHLers. Like his brothers, Jared also has size in spades – three of the four are 6’3 (Jordan’s listed at 6’5) and Jared’s a still-growing 198 pounds. He’s got plenty of space on his frame to become an imposing force in the offensive zone.

This season, after a quiet rookie year last year, Jared took on more of an offensive role with a young Wolves club and became a solid contributor. In 60 games, Jared scored 21 goals and added 28 assists.

Unlike his brothers, Jared is not expected to be taken in the first round, although a late appearance or an early second-round selection would surprise no one. The knock on Jared is his skating, but the rest of his game – plus the intangibles that run deep in the Staal family tree – will make the youngest Staal brother an attractive asset at this year’s draft..


#33 Overall - Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
North American Skater. Final Ranking: 31

2007-08: Ennis scored 43 goals and 48 assists in 70 games, while posting a plus-11 ranking. The Medicine Hat Tigers simply continue to develop NHL prospects. The diminutive Ennis has skated on one of the top lines in the WHL with Brennan Bosch and Daine Todd. A durable forward, Ennis looks to be a lock to become a 300-game man in the WHL. Ennis was twice been named the WHL’s Player of the Week this season.

[Hanna Sniper]

2009



Hurricanes Lay The Hammer Down
Evaluating is always a misleading affair, if you nap the star then your delivered your team a great draft… But in the CPHL that isn’t always true. What often goes unmentioned or unnoticed is the quality of picks compared to the quantity of picks. The CPHL Edmonton Oilers were build off the great draft of a previous GM, but lets be honest, it’s pretty easy to shoot a fish in a barrel if you’re using a AK 47 and in the CPHL it’s not uncommon to see a team stocked with 4 of the top ten picks or 8 of the top 50.

The Carolina Hurricanes walked into the 2009 CPHL draft holding one shot in the 70 picks to make his mark and land that fish. Unfortunately the ‘Canes had his sights set on one player and that was a local boy standout from his hometown Ryan Ellis… it was all or nothing. Much like the ‘Canes did when they drafted Guillaume Latendresse the ‘Canes GM leading up to the draft looked to move up in the top ten to secure Ellis’s rights. When that avenue closed the Hurricanes GM’s then started to set up an backdoor and trade down in the draft once Ellis was drafted by another team before the Hurricanes 16th selection.

After the Hurricanes called the local hero to their camp, the war room cooled down as the Hurricanes weren’t scheduled to make another pick till 63 selections. With so much that can happen e CPHL the ‘Canes brass targeted to acquire a goaltending prospect as well as Slovak Andrej Stastny so it was just a matter of sitting back and trying to read the wave for a spot to go for them.

At the end of the draft the Hurricanes had four names that they thought that they had a chance of selecting and came out with both Ellis and Stastny. Goaltending Darcy Kuemper turned out to be more of a risk/project that the organization was looking for but at the end of the day he was are No.3 rated goaltender and the 3 years in the ECHL will do him good.

Beck and Wilson ended up just being GM selections to bring in character that and gives the Hurricanes a pool of prospects that adds size and ability to bring the puck to the net that the GM likes so much.


#16

“The common refrain heard throughout the league is that if Ellis was just three inches taller, he'd be a sure-fire top-five selection. Unfortunately, in many ways, the NHL is a big man's league and Ellis' dynamic power-play quarterbacking abilities and offensive production may be overshadowed by his lack of height. Ellis has an outstanding shot from the point and is consistently able to jump-start the offense with a well-timed pass or breakout through the defensive zone. He has also worked on his defensive abilities (leading the team at plus-52) and has drawn praise for his effort and leadership.” :Hockey Future

[Hanna Sniper]

2010



Hurricanes Put On A Mean Face
Evaluating is always a misleading affair, if you nap the star then your delivered your team a great draft… But in the CPHL that isn’t always true. What often goes unmentioned or unnoticed is the quality of picks compared to the quantity of picks. The CPHL Edmonton Oilers were build off the great draft of a previous GM, but lets be honest, it’s pretty easy to shoot a fish in a barrel if you’re using a AK 47 and in the CPHL it’s not uncommon to see a team stocked with 4 of the top ten picks or 8 of the top 50.

The Carolina Hurricanes walked into the 2010 CPHL draft holding two shots to make his mark and land that fish. Unfortunately the ‘Canes had his sights set on two players that won't light up the league and in truth won't be great fantasy picks. But the Hurricanes this year drafted by strength and not need while putting aside the notion and excitement of trying to land the big WOW player. With Regehr, Komisarek, Whitney, Barcker, Sarich and Greene in the CPHL and with Alzner, Ellis, Sanguinetti on the way up through the ranks... The Hurricanes went out and added Dylan McIlrath and Jarred Tinorti to round out the lot to ensure that the Hurricanes will be stocked at blueline for a long time.

After the Hurricanes secured their two punishing defenders, the war room hot excited again when with their 45th overall pick came that Jared Knight from the London Knights was still on the board... a player I didn't think we had a shot at and feared might slip into the first round. After that the only thing remaining for the draft was how high of a pick was the organization going to use to draft Brody Sutter and become the 3rd Sutter to be drafted by the 'Canes (Brett and Shawn)


#15

At 6’4 and 210 pounds, he has the frame to be a menacing figure at the NHL level. His mobility and footwork are impressive, considering his size. At times he can lose his man, but not without trying to take his head off. He flat out intimidates with his style of play and is always trying to assert himself physically. McIlrath can contain forwards in all areas of the ice, especially down low. McIlrath needs to work on his puck skills as he handles it like a grenade. He fails to find his options and relies primarily on the ‘glass and out’ approach. He does, however, have a great slap shot. McIlrath is a work in progress but oozes character and fulfills a role many NHL teams will covet.

#18

Tinordi is a great complementary defense partner for a smaller, offensive-minded defender. He can stay with plays, make good outlet passes and bodyguard when necessary


2011

Did not draft in the 1st round, sold my picks off because I couldn't see well enough to keep up and I didn't want to slow it down

[droopydrew19]

Didn't you draft Doug Wickenheiser too?

[Mango]

You're awesome. That's all.

[MJK]

And this is why I voted for you for best message board poster!

Bobby Ryan with the 5th overall pick and you were afraid I was going to take Latendresse....

[looooob]

tremendous stuff (not your picks)

[looooob]

poor Grigorenko