Nine Western Hockey League (WHL) Players Selected in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft

MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com – Calgary, AB – Kelowna Rockets’ defenceman Luke Schenn became the first of nine WHL players selected in the first round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft when the Toronto Maple Leafs used the fifth overall selection to pick the 18-year-old Saskatoon, SK product on Friday, June 20th in Ottawa, ON.  The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired the fifth overall selection in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft from the New York Islanders in exchange for their 2008 seventh overall pick plus two conditional draft picks.
 
Luke Schenn selected by Toronto Maple Leafs, round 1 - #5 overall

Luke Schenn, ranked 5th among North American draft-eligible skaters by NHL Central Scouting prior to the draft, just completed his third full season in the Western Hockey League with the Kelowna Rockets.  The 18-year-old defenseman notched a career-best seven goals and added 21 assists for 28 points in 57 games for the Rockets during the 2007-08 regular season, helping the team to a 38-26-2-6, and added two goals and four points in seven games during the 2008 WHL playoffs.
 
Schenn has emerged as one of the top defensive, shutdown defensemen in the WHL.  The 6’ 3”, 209-lb rearguard possesses great hockey sense and awareness, strong skating ability, and can play with a physical edge.  Schenn also boasts strong offensive instincts and is very good with his first pass.  A leader for the Rockets both on and off the ice, Schenn has drawn comparisons to former Kamloops Blazer and current Calgary Flames defenseman Robyn Regehr.
 

ADVERTISEMENT Schenn has played for Team Canada on several occasions including winning a Gold medal with Canada’s Under-18 team at the 2006 Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament.  He also played for Canada’s U-18 team at the 2007 World Under-18 Championship, suited up for Canada at the 2007 Canada-Russia Super Series, and helped Canada win a fourth consecutive Gold medal at the 2008 World Junior Championship.  Luke also played for Team West at the 2006 Under-17 World Hockey Challenge.
 
Schenn also played for Team WHL at the 2007 ADT CHL Canada-Russia Challenge, and participated in the 2008 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects game.
 
Kyle Beach selected by Chicago Blackhawks, round 1 - #11 overall
 
Everett Silvertips forward Kyle Beach was the next player selected from the WHL going 11th overall to the Chicago Blackhawks.  Beach just wrapped up his second full season in the WHL with the Everett Silvertips.  The 18-year-old Kelowna, B.C., product scored 27 goals and 60 points in 60 games during the 2007-08 season, helping the ‘Tips to a fourth-place finish in a very strong U.S. Division.

Beach has established himself as one of the most dominant power forwards in the WHL through his first two seasons with Everett.  With his strength, size, toughness, and a mean streak, the 2007 WHL Rookie of the Year can be a physical force.  He also plays with an edge and has the ability to agitate, draw penalties and throw opponents off their game.  Beach also possesses excellent offensive skill, good vision and a dangerous shot, making him a threat to score when he’s on the ice.
 
Beach was a member of Canada’s Under-18 team that finished fourth at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament in August 2007, and also played for Team B.C. at the 2007 Canada Winter Games.
 
He was selected to participate in the 2008 Home Hardware CHL / NHL Top Prospects game, but could not due to injury.
 
Tyler Myers selected by Buffalo Sabres, round 1 - #12 overall
 
The second Kelowna Rocket to be selected in the first round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft was defenceman Tyler Myers, 12th overall by the Buffalo Sabres.  Tyler Myers just completed his second full season in the Western Hockey League with the Kelowna Rockets.  The 18-year-old rearguard notched six goals and 19 points in 65 games for the Rockets during the 2007-08 regular season, helping the team to a second-place finish in the B.C. Division, and added a goal and three points in seven games during the 2008 WHL playoffs.

With a 6’ 7”, 204-lb frame, Myers is a dominant force on the blue line for the Rockets.  He is very difficult to beat on the rush because of his tremendous reach and poke checking ability.  Myers also possesses great skating ability for such a big player, and has also shown an offensive upside.
 
Myers recently helped Canada’s Under-18 team win a Gold medal at the 2008 World U-18 Championship in Kazan, Russia, in April.  He was also team captain for Team Alberta at the 2007 Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse, YK.
 
Myers participated in the 2008 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects game in January in Edmonton, AB.
 
Colton Teubert selected by Los Angeles Kings, round 1 - #13 overall
 
Colton Teubert marked the third WHL defenceman to be selected during the first round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft as the Regina Pat was selected by the Los Angeles Kings 13th overall.  Teubert, a native of White Rock, BC, recently completed his 2nd full season with the Pats this past year.  In 66 games, Teubert picked up 7 goals and 16 assists for 23 points to go along with 135 penalty minutes.  During the post season, Teubert led all Pats defensemen with 1 goal and 4 assists for 5 points in 6 games.

He represented Canada at the 2008 IIHF Under-18 World Championships this past spring, capturing the gold medal and also represented his country at the Under-18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament this past summer.  Teubert was the first overall selection in the 2005 WHL Bantam Draft and played one more season at home in B.C. prior to joining the Pats as a 16-year-old.
 
Teubert becomes the fourth Pats defenseman to be drafted in the NHL Entry Draft in the past four years.  In 2005, Derek Reinhart was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 6th round, 177th overall, in 2006 blueliner Logan Pyett was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the 7th round, 212th overall and last year Nick Ross was drafted in the 1st round, 30th overall by the Phoenix Coyotes.
 
Zach Boychuk selected by Carolina Hurricanes, round 1 - #14 overall
 
Lethbridge Hurricanes forward Zach Boychuk marked the fourth straight WHL player to be selected in the first round as the Carolina Hurricanes selected the speedy forward 14th overall.  Zach Boychuk just completed his third season in the Western Hockey League with the Lethbridge Hurricanes.  The 18-year-old center notched 33 goals and 72 points in 61 games for the ‘Canes during the 2007-08 season, helping the team to its best regular-season record in over a decade.  Boychuk added 13 goals and 21 points in 18 post-season contests as he led the Hurricanes all the way to the 2008 WHL Championship series.

In his three WHL seasons, Boychuk has established himself as one of the top offensive players in the League.  The 5’ 9”, 176-lb pivot may not be the biggest player on the ice, but more than makes up for his smaller stature with his tremendous skating and offensive skills.  An extremely well-conditioned athlete, Boychuk possesses explosive speed and an excellent work ethic.  With outstanding vision, hockey sense, and playmaking and puck handling skills, Boychuk is always a threat to score or create scoring chances when he’s on the ice.
 
Boychuk has an extensive background with Canada’s National teams.  He won Gold medals as a member of Canada’s Under-18 team in 2006 at the Junior World Cup and as a member of Canada’s National Junior team in 2008, and also played for Canada at the 2007 Under-18 World Championship and the 2007 Canada-Russia Super Series.  Boychuk was also a member of Team Pacific at the 2006 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
 
Boychuk participated in the 2008 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects game, and also played for Team WHL at both the 2006 and 2007 ADT Canada-Russia Challenges.
 
Chet Pickard selected by Nashville Predators, round 1 - #18 overall
 
Chet Pickard, of the Tri-City Americans, became the first goaltender to be selected during the 2008 NHL Entry Draft as the Nashville Predators selected him 18th overall.  Chet Pickard just finished his third season in the WHL with the Tri-City Americans, and first season as the team’s starting goaltender.  The 18-year-old Winnipeg, MB, native put together an outstanding season for the Americans in 2007-08, helping the team win their first U.S. Division title and first Scotty Munro trophy as the WHL’s top regular-season team, and was named the WHL and CHL Goaltender of the Year.  His 46 victories tied him for 5th on the WHL’s list for most victories by a goalie in a single season.

Pickard spent his first two WHL seasons backing up current Montreal Canadiens’ netminder Carey Price, and obviously benefited from watching one of the best young goalies in the game.  With a 6’2”, 210-lb frame, strong athletic ability and good mobility, Pickard covers a lot of the net.  He reads the play very well, has very strong goaltending instincts, and rarely gets caught out of position.  Like Price, Pickard’s greatest attribute is his calm, cool demeanor.  He is consistent, doesn’t get rattled easily, and can quickly refocus.
 
Pickard recently attended Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence U-20 Goaltender’s Development Camp in Calgary, AB, in June 2008.
 
Pickard also suited up for Team McDonald/Vernon at the 2008 Home Hardware CHL / NHL Top Prospects game. 
 
Luca Sbisa selected by Philadelphia Flyers, round 1 - #19 overall

Luca Sbisa was the second Lethbridge Hurricane chosen in the first round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft when selected 19th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers.  Sbisa just completed his first season in the WHL with the Lethbridge Hurricanes.  Before joining the Hurricanes for the 2007-08 WHL regular season, the 18-year-old from Oberageri, Switzerland played with Zug of the Swiss Junior Elite League and was selected by Lethbridge 70th overall, in the second round of the 2007 CHL Import Draft.
 
He led all WHL defencemen in scoring during the 2008 WHL playoffs, recording 15 points (3-12-15) in 19 games; and picked up 33 points (6-27-33) during the 2007-08 WHL regular season ranking him 30th among WHL defenceman.  Sbisa was selected to participate in the 2008 CHL Top Prospects game in Edmonton, AB this past January and represented Switzerland at the 2007 Under-18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and the 2008 World junior Championships.
 
Jordan Eberle selected by Edmonton Oilers, round 1 - #22 overall

Regina Pats’ forward Jordan Eberle was selected 22nd overall by the Edmonton Oilers.  Eberle just finished his second season suiting up in the WHL for the Regina Pats.  Eberle, a native of Regina, SK, tallied 42 goals and 33 assists for 75 points through 70 games during the 2007-08 WHL regular season. He also picked up 20 penalty minutes and posted a +5 plus/minus rating. Eberle was named the WHL Scholastic Player of the Year and an Eastern Conference 1st Team All-Star for the 2007-08 campaign.
 
Eberle and teammate Colten Teubert are the first Pat teammates selected in the 1st round of the NHL Entry draft since Josh Holden and Derek Morris were selected in 1996.  
 
Tyler Ennis selected by Buffalo Sabres, round 1 - #26 overall

Medicine Hat Tigers’ forward Tyler Ennis was selected by the Buffalo Sabres 26th overall.  Ennis just completed his second season in the WHL with the Medicine Hat Tigers.  The 18-year-old product from Edmonton, Alberta led his Club in scoring and finished fourth among all WHL scorers this past season netting 43 goals and 48 assists for 91 points.  At the 2008 WHL Awards Luncheon Ennis was honoured with the Brad Hornung Trophy as the WHL’s Most Sportmanlike Player.
 
Ennis participated in the 2008 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects game, and also played for Team WHL at the 2007 ADT Canada-Russia Challenge. 
 
This is the third time since 1982 that nine WHL Players have been selected in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft (1982, 2007, 2008).

2008 NHL Entry Draft, WHL Players
 
1st Round
#5.  Toronto Maple Leafs – Luke Schenn; Saskatoon, SK; Kelowna Rockets
#11.  Chicago Blackhawks – Kyle Beach; Kelowna, BC; Everett Silvertips
#12.  Buffalo Sabres – Tyler Myers; DeWinton, AB; Kelowna Rockets
#13.  Los Angeles Kings – Colton Teubert; White Rock, B.C.; Regina Pats
#14.  Carolina Hurricanes – Zach Boychuk; Airdrie, AB; Lethbridge Hurricanes
#18.  Nashville Predators – Chet Pickard; Winnipeg, MB; Tri-City Americans
#19.  Philadelphia Flyers – Luca Sbisa; Oberageri, Switzerland; Lethbridge Hurricanes
#22.  Edmonton Oilers – Jordan Eberle; Regina, SK; Regina Pats
#26.  Buffalo Sabres – Tyler Ennis; Edmonton, AB; Medicine Hat Tigers
 

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