Newyorkrangers.com reports on Derek Stepan, Chris Kreider and Ryan Bourque's performances for Team USA during the World Junior Championships before tonight's gold medal game against Canada...Gordie Clark, the Rangers' Director, Player Personnel, had this to say about 2009 #1 pick Kreider...
"He (Kreider) came from the weakest level of anything we scout in terms of prep-school hockey," said Clark. "And he's gone from that weakest level to playing in the World Junior and he's got five goals, which is right there at the top. He's really paying the price on the power play, and the goal he scored against Finland was just a scary type goal. He blew it over the guy's shoulder before anyone could blink. ... There's no way anyone expected to him do all this. Against Canada, he drew two penalties for people taking him down because he blew by them."
Clark also comments on Stepan, Bourque and another prospect Roman Horak who is playing for the Czech team.
Glen Erikson at Hockey's Future has a podcast with Stepan on his experience as captain of Team USA.
...wish Versus was televising the game as I don't have the NHL network. Should be a great one.
4 comments:
You should invest in the NHL Network. Its certainly worth the few $$ a month Ive very much enjoyed watching the WJCs.
If he comes from the weakest level of scouting the rangers have, how is he justified in being a first round pick? If he was at the level one would think he should be a later round pick and not be a first rounder in the hope that one day he develops. I'm thrilled the kid is this good, but this is another example of Sather being Sather. Also the rangers need to start drafting kids from the QMJHL and stop taking college kids who are 5 years away. Del Zotto is the perfect example of this.
Sam, good scouting means finding good players in unexpected places. Looks like the Rangers did a good job picking Kreider, so why complain? The Rangers probably wouldn't have had a chance to draft him in later rounds.
For what it's worth, DZ played in the OHL, not the Q. Also, the college picks haven't been all bad for the Rangers. Doug Weight, Brian Leetch, Mike Richter are all Ranger draft picks who developed in the NCAA.
BTW, US over Canada, Kreider and Stepan both had goals...
http://watch.tsn.ca/international-hockey/clip252502#clip252502
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