[News] With the 21st overall pick Flames select C Mark Jankowski

[sureLoss]

Kid looks excited

[MrMastodonFarm]

Instagram?
The Flames are so kewl!

[Dion]

"I was always a smart player growing up because I was smaller than I am now, so I had to be smart," Jankowski said. "Now, since my growth spurt, I've still maintained those smarts and I really like to use that on the ice -- my hockey sense and my vision. That all started when I was smaller. But now, after my growth spurt, I've benefited from the natural strength that comes with that and being able to use my body to protect the puck."

Jankowski began to open some eyes at a summer showcase event in Boston in July 2011, playing on a team with players three or four years older than him, yet still standing out.

"Come January, I don't think we had a single game where we didn't have about 25 NHL scouts in the stands," Rioux said. "It was certainly not something we'd ever experienced before."

What those scouts saw was a center with a strong skating stride and extraordinary vision that was still learning to play in his new, drastically bigger body.

"His skating, for one thing, is effortless, and he's got that top-end speed, but it's his hockey sense, his vision and his patience. His teammates just have to get there and the puck will be on their stick. He's that kind of playmaker. I think he's shown the teams what they needed to see, so I don't think there will be any hesitation [at the draft]."

"I've been working out a lot," said Jankowski, who has committed to Providence College but likely will play next season for Dubuque of the United States Hockey League. "But I'm a bit of a late developer, so I'm still working on the strength. There's room for improvement."

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=635275

[Kipperking]

I would have preferred Teuvo/Maatta/Ceci sooo much more.

[flamesaresmokin]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

More teams are drafting from other leagues. I like it as it shows they are being very complete in their scouting

I don't see many teams going to 41st overall in the first round unless their name is the Detroit red wings. Go to other leagues, but don't do it when numerous quality players are already available. and certainly not in the middle of the first round.

[kipperfan]

Originally Posted by flamesaresmokin

And this somehow validates taking an enormous risk on a first round pick? We're hardly in a position to be passing up high probability players in the first round at this point.

If he is actually so good that he'll be "the player of the draft" in a few years why did so many teams pass him up as well and why was he so far off the board?

D.Sutter drafted "high probability players", how did that work out?

I say we need high risk/high reward picks, and think having a guy like Weisbrod steering the ship when it comes to the draft we could see huge benefits of this strategy in 2-3-4 years.

[killer_carlson]

Sureloss, help me out, do you work for the flames? How are you getting the photos?

[Svensational]

Well atleast he's cute, lulz.

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by Kipperking

I would have preferred Teuvo/Maatta/Ceci sooo much more.

agreed.

But what's done is done....what I want to see is how his skill translates against better competition. It's one thing to be a great practice player, its quite another to do the same in the CHL or US college.

[Tilley]

From Future Considerations:

No. 44
MARK JANKOWSKI
POSITION: Centre
CATCHES: Left
TEAM: Stanstead College (Mid-West Prep.)
BORN: September 13, 1994
VITALS: 6’-2” / 170 Lbs
STATS: 57 GP 53 G 40 A 93 PTS 34 PIM

SCOUTING REPORT:

A smooth skating, athletic two-way centre. He has outstanding speed, quick agility and a fluid overall stride. He can add some strength to his legs and improve his skating even more to make it a real weapon. He has dynamic hands that allow him to dangle the puck around defenders on route to the net. He has very impressive vision of the entire ice surface, very impressive passing ability and smarts

as he was a step or two ahead of everyone else reading the play at the prep level. His wrist shot is both hard and accurate; his goal scoring instincts are evident. He is willing to drive the puck to the net with a blend of his puck skills and power game. His anticipation is elite and he always seems to know where to be in each situation. He is a strong and tenacious penalty killer. He shows good leadership and work ethic both on and off the ice. He is strong in the faceoff circle at this level of competition, but can
improve with better coaching. He is a very raw and untested, but naturally talented prospect. He has loads of room to grow and add mass to his thin frame as he heads to Providence College next fall.

NHL POTENTIAL:Top six offensive centre.

Some people bitch about not having a number 1 centre, the Flames potentially draft one and the same people continue to bitch. The ignorance of some on CP astounds me.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

Sureloss, help me out, do you work for the flames? How are you getting the photos?

https://twitter.com/NHLFlames

[the_professsor]

Super disappointed we didn't take girgensons at 14, or matta at 21, but gotta give feaster n co the benefit of the doubt, as they clearly know much more than this guy

[Rerun]

Mark my words...

This kid is going to score 600 goals and 1300 pts in his career.


No seriously, I think this kid has tremendous upside. He's only 17 years old and already he's 6'2" and 175 lbs., he can put the puck in the net, and he apparently is also a great passer.

He is the #1 center that the Flames have been looking for. Unfortunately they'll have to wait 3 or 4 years before he'll probably be ready to play for the Flames (not of course as the #1 center... but it'll happen... I hope).

I'd rather draft him than play it safe by going with one of the potential 2nd or 3rd line players that are still available. For too long the team has played it safe... thats why we've got a team of plumbers and one legitimate first line prospect in the system... and who drafted him by the way? Thats right Jay Feaster.

Two thumbs up Jay!

[Joborule]

This guy is gonna have a lot of overhyping. Hope he'll live up to it.

[Ashasx]

Is there any chance that he goes to the CHL next season?

[Matty81]

I like the pick but boy is it every risky. Unlike the other draftees he still has to make the jump to the CHL/NCAA, basically like drafting a midget or bantam player. Also stings a litttle that he's probably 3-5 years away.

That said a big fast centre with offensive upside has been such a huge need for so long I am very happy to see the club finally attempt to address it.

[Dion]

[Kipperking]

If he becomes our #1 center in 5 years i'll eat something really gross, like a snail.

[kipperfan]

The only thing I dislike is Jankowski seemingly going the college route. I hope the Flames talk to Jankowski and convince him to play in the CHL, and if not there the USHL.

[Stay Golden]

I still can't believe the Flames didn't steal Maatta.