Last Updated:  2010 Jan 27
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)
Chicago
Purple Aces

Organization Ranking  (10)
              Change   (+1)
Top Prospects
Other Notables
Graduated
Summary Strength Average Weakness
       
Goaltending X    
Defense XX    
Centers     X
Wingers   X  
Drafting   X  
Draft Picks   X  
Left Wing Center Right Wing
1) Tomas Fleischmann  7.5 C 1)  Brian Boyle  6.5 B 1)  Dustin Byfuglien  7.0 B
2)  Patric Hornqvist  7.0 C 2) Kamil Kreps  6.5 C 2)  Akim Aliu  7.5 D
3)  Matt Moulson  6.5 C 3) Josh Hennessy  7.0 D 3)  Matt Keith  5.5 C
  4)  Petteri Wirtanen  5.5 B 4) Tim Konsorada  6.0 D
  5) Mark Letestu  5.5 C 5) Rob Globke  6.0 D
  5) Adam Hobson  5.5 C  
  7) Aki Seitsonen  5.0 C  
Defense (L) Defense (R) Goaltenders
1)  Niklas Hjalmarsson  7.5 B 1)  Kevin Shattenkirk  8.0 B 1)  Jonathan Bernier  8.0 C
2)  Andrej Sekera  7.5 B 2) Michael Sauer  7.0 B 2)  Ben Bishop  6.5 C
3)  Vladimir Mihalik  7.0 C 3)  Simon Danis-Pepin  6.5 C 3)  Matt Keetley  6.0 C
4)  Mike Lundin  6.0 B 4)  Adam McQuaid  7.0 D 4)  Dimitri Patzold  6.5 F
5)  Kyle Medvec  6.0 C 5) Nathan Saunders  5.0 C  
6) Oskars Bartulis  6.0 C    
7)  Matthias Karlsson  6.5 D    
8)  Oscar Hedman  5.5 C    
9)  Ivan Baranka  6.5 F    
     
Indianapolis
Ice
Draft Review  -  Chicago Purple Aces                                                                                                         by Robert Michaud

Transactions (leading up to and throughout the draft):

     No Transactions

Despite being this year's host for the draft weekend, Chicago was of the quietest teams heading into the draft and they stayed that way throughout, making no movements.

Organizational Weaknesses (prior to Draft):
     Centermen

NHA Draft Preview Prediction:     Mikael Backlund to PURPLE ACES at #9 overall
Actual Result:                                 PURPLE ACES select Kevin Shattenkirk at #9 overall

2007 NHA Entry Draft Selections
     Kevin Shattenkirk, D     (USNTDP)     [1st Round (9th Overall)]
     Akim Aliu, C                  (OHL)            [2nd Round (37th Overall)]

The Aces had a pick in each of the top two rounds and with their first selection they chose offensive defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk out of the USNTDP. In the second round, right wing Akim Aliu made his way to the podium; Aliu is an interesting case, as he has all the tools necessary to be a future power forward but only if he can only get his discipline under control. Aces' GM Barron will need to look towards filling the organizational cupboards with forwards in the near future to keep the flow of young talent available to help support the already youthful core of the team now.

Possible draft-day steals:     Too early to predict
   1)  Kevin Shattenkirk, D
        Acquired:  9th OV, '07 Draft
   2)  Niklas Hjalmarsson, D
        Acquired:  from Vampyres
   3)  Andrej Sekera, D
        Acquired:  57th OV, '04 Draft
   4)  Jonathan Bernier, G
        Acquired:  10th OV, '06 Draft
   5)  Dustin Byfuglien, RW/LW
        Acquired:  Free Agent signing
   6)  Michael Sauer, D
        Acquired:  42nd OV, '05 Draft
   7)  Tomas Fleischmann, LW
        Acquired:  NHA Dispersal Draft
   8)  Brian Boyle, C
        Acquired:  NHA Dispersal Draft
   9)  Patric Hornqvist, RW/LW
        Acquired:  from Thunderbirds
10)  Vladimir Mihalik, D
        Acquired:  64th OV, '05 Draft
11)  Akim Aliu, RW
        Acquired:  37th OV, '07 Draft
12)  Mike Lundin, D
        Acquired:  85th OV, '04 Draft
13)  Kamil Kreps, C
        Acquired:  from Norsemen
14)  Ben Bishop, G
        Acquired:  36th OV, '05 Draft
15)  Simon Danis-Pepin, D
        Acquired:  66th OV, '06 Draft
16)  Matt Moulson, LW/RW
        Acquired:  NHA Dispersal Draft
17)  Adam McQuaid, D
        Acquired:  49th OV, '05 Draft
18)  Matt Moulson, LW/RW
        Acquired:  NHA Dispersal Draft
19)  Petteri Wirtanen, C
        Acquired:  122nd OV, '06 Draft
20)  Kyle Medvec, D
        Acquired:  94th OV, '06 Draft
     Ivan Baranka, D
     Oskars Bartulis, D
     Rob Globke, RW
     Oscar Hedman, D
     Adam Hobson, C
     Matthias Karlsson, D
     Matt Keetley, G
     Matt Keith, RW
     Tim Konsorada, RW
     Mark Letestu, C
     Dimitri Patzold, G
     Nathan Saunders, D
     Aki Seitsonen, C
     Nigel Dawes, LW
     Scott Munroe, G
     Noah Welch, D
2009/06/01  Chicago Purple Aces - Facing the Future
The Purple Aces are a relatively stable organization, seeming to prefer to build from within; they have been patiently building up a core of players that will sustain them for many years. Despite never having tasted playoff action, Chicago has also seen a steady improvement and progression from it's players in each successive season. The Aces have put together a corps of blueliners who will eventually be the match of any team in the league. With Duncan Keith, Anton Volchenkov, Ryan Whitney, Ryan Suter, Dustin Byfuglien and Andrej Sekera, all styles of play are covered with special emphasis on puck-movers. There are also some dynamic offensive talents beginning to make a name for themselves in Chicago, namely Evgeni Malkin and Alexander Semin. There aren't any glaring weaknesses in the future of this club, though their depth in qulaity forwards could stand to be deeper. Also of slight concern is the fact that Kari Lehtonen, once regarded as a franchise netminder, might not ever reach that potential due to accumulated injuries.

Left Wing - The dynamic young Alexander Semin is a gem for this club and will provide plenty of offence from the left side, especially if he lands on Evgeni Malkin's wing. There are also other talented wingers here, such as Tomas Fleischmann and Nigel Dawes, who need only to show a little more consistency to their games in order to make an impact.

Center - When Chicago finished the 2003/04 season with the worst record in the NHA and then missed out on Alex Ovechkin because of the draft lottery, some thought this organization cursed by bad luck. Looking back now, being handed Evgeni Malkin at the #2 draft position could be argued as the luckiest event in franchise history. Malkin is a big, talented franchise center who will lead this club to higher levels almost single-handedly. Beyond Malkin, there aren't any blue-chip talents at the present.

Right Wing - The trade for Dany Heatley immediately prior to the 2005 Entry Draft has shifted some of the focus away from the need to develop future talent at this position. It also doesn't hurt that Chicago has Patrick Sharp and Joffrey Lupul to compete for the 2nd and 3rd line openings.

Defense - The Purple Aces have a very strong group of young blueliners being developed in their system; this is most definitely the strength of the organization. There is no shortage of offensive ability among these youngsters, with Ryan Whitney, Ryan suter, Andrej Sekera and Dustin Byfuglien all progressing nicely, and the defensive side is covered with Anton Volchenko and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Then there is Duncan Keith, who could prove to be the best all-around defender in the Chicago system.

Goaltending - The progression of Kari Lehtonen has slowed, and while he definitely possesses the talent to be a good netminder in the NHA, he has also begun to display a fragility that could limit his career trajectory. Jonathan Bernier and Ben Bishop are both also developing but won't be expected to make a contribution for several seasons yet.
Purple Aces 2006 Draft Review

Purple Aces 2005 Draft Review

Purple Aces 2004 Draft Review