OHL Erie Otters

Otters at the NHL Entry Draft

Published on June 20, 2008 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


A big weekend lies ahead for three members of the Erie Otters as they look toward advancing their careers at the 2008 National Hockey League Entry Draft being held tonight and Saturday in Ottawa, Ontario. The first round of the NHL Entry Draft will be held tonight starting at 7 p.m. Rounds 2-7 will take place Saturday starting at 8 a.m. Jaroslav Janus, Mitch Gaulton and Jordan Skellett have all appeared as potential picks in various 2008 NHL Entry Draft lists leading up to the annual selection process.

Janus is poised to become just the fourth member of the Otters goaltending fraternity to hear his name announced on hockey's biggest stage for prospects. The 18 year-old Slovakian native was rated 11th overall among goaltenders who spent the 2007-08 season in North America by NHL Central Scouting. And although he didn't appear in the top-eight goaltenders available in the draft as rated by Red Line Report (an independent scouting newsletter widely used by General Managers and Chief Scouts around the NHL) he was listed as one of two "sleepers" at the position. "Janus was absolutely besieged by rubber behind a porous defense in Erie this season and was trying to adjust to the North American game and culture as well," Red Line Report Chief Scout Kyle Woodlief commented in a special goaltenders column in USA Today. "But we like his mental toughness and competitive nature. He's a mature, coachable kid who's only going to get better." Patrick Dovigi (41st overall by Edmonton in 1997), Adam Munro (29th overall by Chicago in 2001) and Josh Disher (185th overall by New Jersey in 2004) are the only other Otters goalies selected in the NHL Entry Draft. Despite missing most of the 2007-08 season due to injury, Mitch Gaulton found himself listed in the top-60 by The Hockey News in their Draft Preview. The 18 year-old defenseman was listed 54th overall in the publication. International Scouting Service also rates him 81st overall. Jordan Skellett rounds out the three Otters players who appeared in pre-draft ratings. The 18 year-old forward was listed 149th in North America by NHL Central Scouting in their final ratings for the 2008 NHL Entry Draft A total of 14 players on the Otters 2007-08 roster are eligible for the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. In addition to the three players listed above, other team members who could be selected are Shane Owen, Paul Cianfrini, Frank Grzeszczak, Sean Jones, Brian Shaw, Shawn Szydlowski, Robyn Sertic, Michael Liambas, Justin Hodgman, Doug Clarkson and Kelly Geoffrey.

Since 1996 there have been 28 members of the Otters selected at the NHL Entry Draft including eight first round picks and 12 top-50 picks.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from June 20, 2008


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