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)
IN: Andre Roy (LW); 5th Round Selection in 2008 (from Gladiators)
The lead-up to the draft was pretty quiet for the Ice Dragons and they didn't really do anything splashy in Chicago over the draft weekend. There was a minor deal made with the Gladiators that allowed GM Labonte to move up slightly in the 5th round to select left winger Ilya Kablukov, who seems to have made an impact on the Ice Dragons' European scouts.
Organizational Weaknesses (prior to Draft): Skilled right wingers
NHA Draft Preview Prediction: Brett MacLean to ICE DRAGONS at #26 overall Actual Result: ICE DRAGONS select Logan Couture at #26 overall
After exclusively selecting right wingers at the 2005 Entry Draft and loading up on defencemen in the 2006 edition, the Ice Dragons addressed centers and left wingers in Chicago this year. The top acquisition was Logan Couture, a skilled playmaking center from the Ottawa 67's OHL squad; Couture projects as a solid top 6 pivot as he grows into his frame. Also of note was the selection of Logan MacMillan in the 3rd round, as he has the potential to be a decent power forward at the NHA level.
20) Martin St. Pierre, C
Acquired: NHA Dispersal Draft
Brent Aubin, RW
Nils Backstrom, D
Konstantin Barulin, G
Rejean Beauchemin, G
Vasily Koshechkin, G
Marek Kvapil, RW
Ryan Munce, G
Bryce Swan, RW
Evgeny Tunik, RW/LW
Milan Jurcina, D
Ville Koistinen, D
Brett Lebda, D
Alexei Mikhnov, LW/RW
Dustin Penner, LW/RW
2009/06/01Yellowknife Ice Dragons - Facing the Future
The Yellowknife Ice Dragons have thus far struggled to make their mark in the National Hockey Association. In three seasons, their winning percentage has not topped the .365 mark, though this has allowed them to accumulate a stable of young talent through their high draft position. The Ice Dragons possess several talented players in their system but they have concentrated mostly on solidifying their future defensive game. With Erik Johnson, Kris Letang and Ty Wishart developing their games and superb netminder Cory Schneider looking like the real deal, this organization has solid talent on the back end. While Anze Kopitar is poised to become a franchise centerman, there are not a lot of young wingers in the organization to complement him at present, aside from Wojtek Wolski.
Left Wing - Despite not having a lot of young wingers in development, Yellowknife has its needs covered with Wojtek Wolski projected to move onto the second line in the near future and Dustin Penner providing a solid 3rd line option. Aside from Wolski and Penner there isn't much else to look forward to on the port wing side.
Center - The Ice Dragons are fortunate to be developing a franchise center in Anze Kopitar; he has all the tools to become a dominant centerman in the NHA, he just needs to work on being consistent. Antoine Vermette is another young pivot who will make significant contributions to the club's future.
Right Wing - Though they may not end up high-end potential players, there are some NHA-worthy young talents here, such as Marek Svatos, Nicklas Bergfors and Jannik Hansen. All three of these young men have talent that should get them to the NHA, but none of them projects (at this time) to becoming a first-line player.
Defense - There is a lot to like about the future of the Ice Dargons' blueline. Top prospect Erik Johnson leads the way with a projected career path that should see him become a top pairing defender in the NHA. Kris Letang is expected to become the future power play quarterback and will get plenty of time to apprentice under Dan Boyle prior to being handed the reins. Big things are also expected of WHL stand-out Ty Wishart, but he is still several years away from making a bid for the club.
Goaltending - The Ice Dragons already have one of the best netminders in the NHA, Roberto Luongo, minding the twine, so there is no urgency for developing young goalies in Yellowknife. There is a potential gem in their system though, as Cory Schneider looks to have the skills and mental fortitude to one day become a good #1 goalie himself.
2007/02/23Ice Dragons 2004 Draft Review
The Ice Dragons went into the entry draft with a need for some prospects down their left side and on the blue line and subsequently used their #4 overall selection to get Wojtek Wolski, a talented Polish-Canadian winger; this selection caused many GMs to begin re-evaluating who would be available later in the round. In the second round, the Ice Dragons deepened their nets when they added Cory Schneider.
2008/04/01Ice Dragons 2005 Draft Review
The Ice Dragons were one of the big winners in the draft lottery this season, improving from the 5th overall selection to the 2nd overall; as the Warriors GM did not take leave of his senses, this left the first real choice of the draft for GM Collin Budd. With several potential impact players available, GM Budd selected the young Slovenian center, Anze Kopitar (#2 Overall). Also of note, the Ice Dragons selected RW Niklas Bergfors (#17).
