Last Updated:  2010 Jan 13
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)
Edmonton
Roadrunners

Organization Ranking (18)
              Change  (+7)
Top Prospects
Other Notables
Graduated
Summary Strength Average Weakness
       
Goaltending     XX
Defense X    
Centers   X  
Wingers     X
Drafting     X
Draft Picks X    
Left Wing Center Right Wing
1) Curtis Glencross  6.5 B 1)  Tyler Bozak  7.5 C 1)  Steve Downie  7.0 C
2)  Brad Richardson  7.0 C 2) Gilbert Brule  8.0 D 2)  Andreas Thuresson 6.5 C
3)  Justin Mercier  6.5 C 3) Paul Szczechura  6.5 C 3)  Denis Parshin 7.0 D
4)  Liam Reddox  5.0 A 4)  Rod Pelley  5.5 B 4)  Viktor Alexandrov 7.0 F
5)  Jordan LaVallee  5.5 C 5) Jakub Sindel  7.0 F 4)  Brad Staubitz  5.0 B
6)  Ryan Hamilton  5.5 C 6)  Ryan Oulahen  6.0 D 6)  Stephen Gionta  5.0 C
  7)  Jakub Petruzalek  5.5 F 7)  Aaron Boogaard  5.0 C
Defense (L) Defense (R) Goaltenders
1)  Mark Mitera  7.5 C 1)  Matt Gilroy 7.0 B 1)  Tyler Weiman  7.0 D
2)  Marc Methot  6.0 B 2)  Johnny Boychuk  6.5 C 2)  Cedric Desjardins  6.0 C
3)  Dmitri Vorobiev  7.0 F 3)  Patrik Hersley 6.5 C  
4)  Drew Bagnall  6.0 D 4)  Teemu Laakso  6.5 D  
5)  Richard Stehlik  6.5 F    
6)  Zach Fitzgerald  4.5 B    
7)  Jussi Timonen  5.0 D    
Camrose
Kodiaks
Draft Review  -  Edmonton Roadrunners

Transactions (leading up to and throughout the draft):

     OUT:  1st Round Selection in 2008; 1st Round Selection in 2008 (from Panthers)

     IN:      2nd Round Selection (29th OV); Mark Mitera (D); Steve Downie (RW); Tyler Bozak (C); Marc Methot (D)

Roadrunners GM Ryan Coldwell was pretty quiet leading up to the draft; one might assume that Edmonton's Cup run (which ended in a hard-fought 7  game loss in the Final) kept things busy.  Edmonton remained quiet through the 1st round of the draft, which wasn't unexpected as they attended  the draft in Chicago without any picks to make, but they were surely observing and preparing for any opportunities that might present  themselves.  Just such a situation developed in the pause between the 1st and 2nd rounds of the Entry Draft, when a rumour leaked that the  Ottawa Vampyres might be willing to deal their #29 overall selection. A deal was brokered that saw the Roadrunners obtain the #29 pick and NCAA  defenceman Mark Mitera in return for their own 1st in the 2008 draft. Later, near the end of the draft weekend, GM Coldwell made another deal  that picked up Steve Downie, Marc Methot and recent 2nd round selection Tyler Bozak from the Dallas Bulldogs, also for a 1st in the 2008 draft.

Organizational Weaknesses (prior to Draft):
     Top 6 forwards; Skill players; Top 4 defensemen; Offensive rearguards; Goaltenders

NHA Draft Preview Prediction:     No 1st Round Selection
Actual Result:                                 No 1st Round Selection

2007 NHA Entry Draft Selections
     Matt Gilroy, D                            [2nd Round (29th Overall)]

The Roadrunners came to Chicago with no selections to make but a deal at the draft secured the #29 overall selection, which was used to take  NCAA rearguard Matt Gilroy. There was no hesitation with the selection of Gilroy, as he seems to have been a real target of GM Coldwell and  will be a key building block for the Roadrunners' future.

Possible draft-day steals:     Too early to predict
   1)  Matt Gilroy, D
        Acquired:  29th OV, '07 Draft
   2)  Tyler Bozak, C
        Acquired:  from Bulldogs
   3)  Mark Mitera, D
        Acquired:  from Vampyres
   4)  Gilbert Brule, C/RW
        Acquired:  from Titans
   5)  Curtis Glencross, LW
        Acquired:  from Hurricanes
   6)  Steve Downie, RW
        Acquired:  from Bulldogs
  7)  Brad Richardson, LW/C
        Acquired:  from Panthers
   8)  Marc Methot, D
        Acquired:  from Bulldogs
   9)  Johnny Boychuk, D
        Acquired:  from Bulldogs
10)  Justin Mercier, C/LW
        Acquired:  178th OV, '05 Draft
11)  Paul Szczechura, C/W
        Acquired:  Free Agent signing
12)  Andreas Thuresson, W/C
        Acquired:  Free Agent signing
13)  Patrik Hersley, D
        Acquired:  113th OV, '05 Draft
14)  Tyler Weiman, G
        Acquired:  Free Agent signing
15)  Denis Parshin, RW
        Acquired:  92nd OV, '04 Draft
16)  Liam Reddox, LW/RW
        Acquired:  NHA Dispersal Draft
17)  Rod Pelley, C/LW
        Acquired:  from Gladiators
18)  Cedric Desjardins, G
        Acquired:  Free Agent signing
19)  Teemu Laakso, D
        Acquired:  88th OV, '05 Draft
20)  Jakub Sindel, C
        Acquired:  78th OV, '04 Draft
     Viktor Alexandrov, RW
     Drew Bagnall, D
     Aaron Boogaard, RW
     Zach Fitzgerald, D
     Stephen Gionta, C/W
     Ryan Hamilton, LW
     Ryan Oulahen, C
     Jakub Petruzalek, C/W
     Brad Staubitz, RW
     Richard Stehlik, D
     Jussi Timonen, D
     Dmitri Vorobiev, D
     Ben Eaves, C
 
2009/06/01  Edmonton Roadrunners - Facing the Future
The Edmonton Roadrunners have tried, with varying degrees of success, to bring a championship calibre team to their fans in Central Alberta; this has resulted in post-season hockey in both seasons since the move to Edmonton, culminating in last season's stunning first round upset of the NHA's previous Cup Champion Montreal. Center would have to be the strongest position in the organization, but that could be misleading, as there is a paucity of talented prospects in the Edmonton system at this time. The Roadrunners do have a stockpile of picks for the 2008 draft that could help turn this situation around in the future. The team is veteran-centric, which is a result of trading on the future to improve their short-term fortunes.

Left Wing - Curtic Glencross may one day develop into a decent NHA player though the he may be the only left winger in the system to have any impact at all.

Center - Edmonton's top young talents are to be found at the center position. Leading the way is Gilbert Brule, a prolific junior player who will need to work harder to become a full-time NHAer. Brad Richardson and Rod Pelley may also make an impact in the bottom 6.

Right Wing - There isn't much in the way of NHA-calibre talent projected from the right wing in the near future.

Defense - There are a number of young defensemen in the Roadrunners organization, though most of these players will be lucky to carve out long minor-league careers, let alone make it to hockey's ultimate level. One possible exception might be Aaron Johnson, who could fit into a 2nd or 3rd pairing in the NHA if he brings more consistency to his game.

Goaltending - There are no goaltending prospects in Edmonton's system.
Roadrunners 2006 Draft Review

Roadrunners 2005 Draft Review

Roadrunners 2004 Draft Review