Last Updated:  2010 Jan 21
Each player is projected on making it to
the NHA on a grading scale of 1-10.
PLAYER LEGEND - (HIGHLIGHT COLOUR DEFINES LEAGUE PLAYING IN)

Playing in the N.H.A.
Playing in the N.H.A. Farm League
Playing in N.A. Development League (Prospect)
Playing in the NCAA or other Amateur League (Prospect)
Playing in Europe (Prospect)
Dallas Bulldogs

Organization Ranking  (4)
              Change  (n/c)
Top Prospects
Other Notables
Graduated
Summary Strength Even Weakness
       
Goaltending X    
Defense   X  
Centers X    
Wingers   X  
Drafting X    
Draft Picks XX    
Left Wing Center Right Wing
1) Brett MacLean  7.5 C 1)  David Krejci  8.0 B 1)  Loui Eriksson  7.0 A
2)  Ville Leino  7.5 C 2) Derick Brassard  8.0 B 2)  Simon Hjalmarsson  7.0 C
3)  Jan Mursak  7.0 C 3) Ben Maxwell  7.0 B 3)  Boyd Gordon  6.0 B
4)  Johan Harju  7.0 C 4)  Brett Sonne  7.5 C 4)  Nick Dodge  6.5 C
5)  Casey Pierro-Zabotel  7.5 D 5) Ryan Carter  6.5 B 5)  Rhett Rakhshani  6.5 D
6)  Drew Miller  6.0 B 6)  Chris Terry  7.0 C 6)  Brady Calla  6.0 D
7)  Andreas Nodl  6.5 C 7)  Dana Tyrell  7.0 C  
8)  Brett Sterling  7.0 D 8)  Mathieu Perreault  7.0 C  
9)  T.J. Trevelyan  6.5 F 9)  Petri Kontiola 7.0 C  
  10)  Frans Nielsen  6.0 B  
  11)  Marcel Goc  6.5 C  
  12)  Nick Bonino  6.5 C  
  13)  Louie Caporusso  7.0 D  
  14)  Petr Vrana  6.0 D  
     
Defense (L) Defense (R) Goaltenders
1)  Niklas Grossman  7.0 B 1)  Roman Polak  7.0 C 1)  Jonas Gustavsson  7.5 B
2)  Jeff Schultz  6.5 B 2)  Drew Schiestel  7.0 C 2)  Ondrej Pavelec  8.0 C
3)  Sami Lepisto 6.5 B 3)  Grant Lewis  7.0 C 3)  Joe Fallon  7.0 C
4)  Casey Borer  7.0 C 4)  Ben Wright  6.5 F 4)  Alex Stalock  6.5 C
5)  Michael Caruso  6.0 B   5)  Alexander Salak  7.0 D
6) Jordan Hendry  6.5 C   6)  Taylor Dakers  6.5 F
7)  Tommy Cross  7.0 D    
8)  Mark Fraser  5.5 B    
     
Irving
Pups
Draft Review  -  Dallas Bulldogs                                                                                                               by Robert Michaud

Transactions (leading up to and throughout the draft):

     OUT:  Nick Foligno (LW); Steve Downie (RW); Tyler Bozak (C); Marc Methot (D); Rene Bourque (LW); Shawn Belle (D);
                3rd Round Selection in 2008 (from Chiefs)

     IN:      1st Round Selection (22nd OV); 2nd Round Selection (38th OV); 1st Round Selection in 2008 (from Panthers); Andy McDonald (C)

Dallas Bulldogs GM Ryan McClanahan made some waves both before and during the draft; faced with heading to Chicago without a first round selection to make, he moved promising winger, Nick Foligno, to the Mississauga Devils in return for 1st and 2nd round picks. Based on discussions begun during the draft, the Bulldogs moved their recent 56th overall selection, Tyler Bozak, to Edmonton in a package that included Steve Downie and Marc Methot in order to obtain another 1st round selection for next year's entry draft.

Organizational Weaknesses (prior to Draft):
     Goaltending; Power fowards

NHA Draft Preview Prediction:     Jonathon Blum to BULLDOGS at #22 overall
Actual Result:                                 BULLDOGS select Jonas Gustavsson at #22 overall

2007 NHA Entry Draft Selections
     Jonas Gustavsson, G                               [1st Round (22nd Overall)]
     Brett MacLean, LW           (OHL)         [2nd Round (32nd Overall)]
     Brett Sonne, C                    (WHL)        [2nd Round (38th Overall)]
     Casey Pierro-Zabotel, C      (BCHL)       [2nd Round (43rd Overall)]
     Chris Terry, C                     (OHL)        [2nd Round (50th Overall)]
     Tyler Bozak, C                                      [2nd Round (56th Overall)]
     DanaTyrell, C                     (WHL)        [3rd Round (59th Overall)]
     Simon Hjalmarsson, LW     (Sweden)      [3rd Round (72nd Overall)]
     Nick Bonino, C                   (Conn.)       [3rd Round (78th Overall)]
     Drew Schiestel, D                (OHL)         [4th Round (88th OVerall)]
     Louie Caporusso, C             (OPJHL)     [4th Round (91st OVerall)]
     Johan Harju, LW                (SEL)           [4th Round (103rd OVerall)]
     Tommy Cross, D                (Conn.)       [4th Round (106th Overall)]
     Alexander Salak, G                                 [4th Round (112th OVerall)]

Over the course of the weekend in Chicago, the Bulldogs added 14 prospects to their organization.  In selecting goaltender Jonas Gustavsson at 22nd overall in the 1st round, the Bulldogs began the draft by filling their greatest organizational need.  From that point onwards, GM McClanahan generally seemed to stock up on the best forwards available, which resulted in a large number of natural pivots joining the already-deep-at-center Dallas organization; they still are a bit weak on quality defensive prospects but with the abundance of talented prospects available at almost all other postions Dallas should be able to trade for any needs. Aside from the intrigue surrounding the drafting and subsequent trade of Tyler Bozak to the Edmonton Roadrunners, Chicago was business as usual for the Bulldogs.

Possible draft-day steals:     Brett Sonne (Center) in the 2nd Round at 38th Overall
                                                Alexander Salak (Goaltender) in the 4th Round at 112th Overall
   1)  David Krejci, C
        Acquired:  from Panthers
   2)  Derick Brassard, C
        Acquired:  11th OV, '06 Draft
   3)  Loui Eriksson, RW
        Acquired:  from Devils
   4)  Jonas Gustavsson, G
        Acquired:  22nd OV, '07 Draft
   5)  Ondrej Pavelec, G
        Acquired:  30th OV, '05 Draft
   6)  Niklas Grossman, D
        Acquired:  from Canucks
   7)  Vladimir Sobotka, C/LW
        Acquired:  73rd OV, '05 Draft
   8)  Ben Maxwell, C
        Acquired:  51st OV, '06 Draft
   9)  Brett MacLean, LW/RW
        Acquired:  32nd OV, '07 Draft
10)  Brett Sonne, C/LW
        Acquired:  38th OV, '07 Draft
11)  Ville Leino, LW/RW
        Acquired:  88th OV, '06 Draft
12)  Jeff Schultz, D
        Acquired:  from Avangard
13)  Sami Lepisto, D
        Acquired:  from Whalers
14)  Ryan Carter, C/LW
        Acquired:  98th OV, '05 Draft
15)  Roman Polak, D
        Acquired:  143rd OV, '04 Draft
16)  Chris Terry, C/LW
        Acquired:  50th OV, '07 Draft
17)  Dana Tyrell, C/W
        Acquired:  59th OV, '07 Draft
18)  Simon Hjalmarsson, RW
        Acquired:  72nd OV, '07 Draft
19)  Drew Schiestel, D
        Acquired:  88th OV, '07 Draft
20)  Jan Mursak, LW/RW
        Acquired:  50th OV, '06 Draft
     Nick Bonino, C
     Casey Borer, D
     Brady Calla, RW
     Louie Caporusso, C
     Michael Caruso, D
     Tommy Cross, D
     Taylor Dakers, G
     Nick Dodge, RW
     Joe Fallon, G
     Mark Fraser, D
     Marcel Goc, C
     Boyd Gordon, RW/C
     Johan Harju, LW/RW
     Jordan Hendry, D
     Petri Kontiola, C
     Grant Lewis, D
     Drew Miller, LW
     Frans Nielsen, C
     Andreas Nodl, LW/RW
     Mathieu Perreault, C
     Casey Pierro-Zabotel, LW
     Rhett Rakhshani, RW
     Alexander Salak, G
     Alex Stalock, G
     Brett Sterling, LW
     T.J. Trevelyan, LW
     Petr Vrana, C/W
     Ben Wright, D
     Paul Gaustad, C/LW
    Colin Stuart, LW
2009/06/01  Dallas Bulldogs - Facing the Future
Last season saw the Bulldogs capture the Stanley Cup; it was their first appearance in the post-season after two frustrating attempts in the  preceding years. This is a team that has seen a lot of turnover of personnel until the right mix was struck last year, though despite the  player movement and the Championship, this is a balanced club with several promising young talents ready to replace aging vets as needed. There  is no questioning that this organization has been one of the NHA's most prolific offensive forces, and there is no reason to think that this  shouldn't continue for several years with all the young talent that Dallas has accumulated. The Bulldogs young forwards (Alexander Frolov, Brad  Boyes, David Krejci, Derick Brassard, Loui Eriksson, Nick Foligno) are the envy of many an NHA team. There are not a lot of weaknesses here,  though their depth in young, talented blueliners is pretty shallow at this point. Dallas has also not crowned a sure-fire netminder-of-the- future yet, though Ondrej Pavelec is trying to make a case for himself.

Left Wing - While not quite as talented as the right side, the young left wingers (Loui Eriksson, Nick Foligno) are still good in their own  right and will enjoy success in Dallas.

Center - Undoubtedly the deepest position for the Bulldogs, with several future NHAers waiting for their shot. Despite the fact that both Scott  Gomez and Danny Briere are incumbent to the position on the pro roster, there are several future stars developing in the minors. David Krecji,  Derick Brassard, Petri Kontiola, Paul Gaustad and Vladimir Sobotka are among the depth of talent to be found at the pivot position; some are  projected to become defensive or two-way players and others are simply scoring threats, but all are talented and will have an impact. And  speaking of threats, the wild child of the OHL, Steve Downie, has also recently joined the Dallas system. There is plenty here to like about  the 'Dogs' future.

Right Wing - This is one of the strongest positions in the organization, with both Alexander Frolov and Brad Boyes plying their trade on the  starboard wing. These players are both talented scorers and will certainly be a large reason for the offensive firepower of this club in the  future. There are also other young players such as Andreas Nodl, Ville Leino and David Clarkson who will vie for spots on the big club at some  point.

Defense - The fact that the Bulldogs' future blueliners are less flashy than the forward corps is really misleading; the core of the Dallas  blueline is presently in their prime and signed long-term, so having a large number of young, high-end developing rearguards is not a  necessity. Despite this, Niklas Grossman looks like he will be a part of the defense corps in the future.

Goaltending - This position can be an organization's achilles heel, especially considering the revolving door of netminders on the pro club. If  the big club can make do with stop-gap solutions for a few seasons, there is a gem in development for Dallas' future in Ondrej Pavelec.
Bulldogs 2006 Draft Review

Bulldogs 2005 Draft Review

Bulldogs 2004 Draft Review