
5. Tommi Kivisto - Red Deer Rebels
The Rebels plucked the Finnish rearguard 6th overall in the 2008 CHL Import Draft. The native of Vaanta Finland is listed at 6'1 and 192 lbs so he's got pretty good size already plus, as a '91 born player, he's someone that Red Deer can probably count on being in their line up for at least a couple of seasons. Thus far in the early season he has 4 assists in 9 games, good for 17th overall in the scoring for defencemen and 14th overall for all WHL rookies. He'll be adding to those totals much more as the year goes on.
4. Cam Lanigan - Edmonton Oil Kings

The 16-year-old back up netminder has won both starts he's had for Edmonton this early season and made a brief appearance in another. Thus far he's got the 4th best save percentage in the WHL (.955) and goals against average as well (1.48) omitting golaies that haven't played in more than one game. The Calgary native has definitely impressed this year, beginnning in training camp, and I have already gone on the record predciting that unless the Oil Kings acquire a more veteran back stop, Lanigan will be the starter by the end of the season. Lanigan isn't eligible for the NHL draft until 2011.
3. Zdenek Okal - Medicine Hat Tigers

2. Mark Pysyk - Edmonton Oil Kings

He's already being touted as a potential top 5 NHL pick in 2010 so it's not out of line to have a second Edmonton player on this list. The Sherwood Park native has been in the spotlight locally ever since winning the coveted Athlete of the Week award on Global TV... there's Millard's free plug for the night. Pysyk is smooth skating, quick passer, calm under pressure and still developing physically. He's got 2 points so far, both assists, but although he's described as a 2-way defeceman I would argue that he leans a bit more towards his own end at this point. He's not flashy at what he does but he's very efficient and his skating... it's hard to believe he won't turn 17 until mid-January.
1. Jordan Weal - Regina Pats

The Pats draftd him 79th overall but he was honestly one of the most exciting players on the ice in that tournament - as a 15-year-old. Last year Weal set a new scoring record in the BC AAA Midget league with an even 100 points and he hasn't missed a step now in the WHL. He's not only the current rookie scoring leader but is just two points shy of the league's top point getters as well. Weal has 11 points in 7 games and picked up Player of the Week honours in week #1 of the season. At 5'8 and 158 lbs, Weal is still growing and if he can add another couple inches and even 20 more pounds, he'll be a solid 1st round contender at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
(photos courtesy: Andy Devlin of the Edmonton Oil Kings, the WHL, the Notre Dame Hounds)
2 comments:
Sorry to burst the bubble guys, but I think you've overlooked one helluva rookie in the "Dub" this year.
Goalie by the name of Nathan Lieuwen of the Kootenay Ice. This kid just turned 17 in August, is already 6'4" and 175lb. Stellar numbers last year in the BCHL: 13GP, 9W, 2L, 1.94GAA and 0.931 SV.
A bit of a shaky start this year on a team with no first line, but I think once he finds his confidence/groove he'll be lights out again. Watch out for this kid.
Good call on Lieuwen, I knew there would be at least one guy I overlooked and you're right - he's definitely worthy of this list.
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