The 2009 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft begins tomorrow evening in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and the Omaha Lancers are hoping to have quite the contingent of names called during the seven-round, two-day event. The first name likely to be called from Omaha is Louis Leblanc, who was ranked 13th overall among North American Skaters in the NHL's Central Scouting Final Rankings. Leblanc, a Montreal native, led all Lancers in scoring last season with 59 points and was tied for the team lead in goals with 28. As a result, he was named the USHL's Rookie of the Year. Leblanc is currently preparing to begin his freshman year at Harvard University in the Fall.
Projected as a first-round selection, Leblanc would become just the third Omaha Lancer since 2000 to be drafted in the opening round. Keith Ballard, the highest Lancer ever taken in the NHL Draft, was the 11th overall selection by the Buffalo Sabres back in 2002 while Nick Petrecki was taken 28th overall in 2007 by the San Jose Sharks. The USHL, meanwhile, has produced 16 first-round selections since 2000 and could add three more to that list this year with Leblanc, defenseman John Moore (Chicago Steel) and goaltender Mike Lee (Fargo Force). John Carlson of the Indiana Ice was the only USHL skater selected in the first round of last year's draft when he was taken 27th overall by the Washington Capitals.
But Leblanc very likely won't be the only Lancer to hear his name called over the weekend. Ryan Daugherty, who will be returning to Omaha for the upcoming 2009-2010 season, was ranked 78th among North American skaters by Central Scouting and could find himself selected somewhere in the middle rounds. Despite being hindered by knee problems, Daugherty still managed to register 6 goals and 16 points in 46 games last season. At 6'2", 190 pounds, the Allen, Texas native boasts the build and frame of a power forward.
A pair of Northeastern skaters in Pat Mullane and Steven Whitney also have an outside chance of being drafted this weekend. Mullane, a native of Wallingford, Connecticut, currently ranks 165th among North America skaters according to Central Scouting's Final Rankings. Mullane finished last season tied for 2nd among all Lancers in scoring with 57 points following 23 goals and 34 assists. Whitney, a late-season acquisition, is 197th among North American skaters following 4 goals and 15 points in just 12 games in Omaha. A native of Reading, Massachusetts, Whitney is already committed to Boston College.
Goaltender Jeff Teglia could hear his name called over the weekend after being ranked 28th among all North American goaltenders by Central Scouting. As a rookie, Teglia finished last season with an overall record of 20-9-7 to go along with a 3.00 goals-against average and a .892 save percentage.
There are also several incoming Lancers who could find themselves tagged by an NHL team over the weekend. Forward Danny Mattson, who was acquired by the Lancers with the 57th overall pick in the 2007 USHL Futures Draft, is the 53rd overall North American skater according to NHL's Central Scouting. Already committed to the University of North Dakota, Mattson registered 25 goals and 76 points in just 27 games at the Academy of Holy Angels last season. A finalist for the Mr. Hockey award as Minnesota's top player, his 76 points led all Minnesota Class AA players while his +49 rating paced the entire state of Minnesota.
Another forward Erik Haula, Omaha's 2nd Round Pick in the 2009 USHL Entry Draft, is currently ranked 57th overall among North American Skaters by Central Scouting. A native of Pori, Finland, Haula registered 24 goals and 79 points in 49 games last season at Shattuck-St. Mary's Prep School in Minnesota and is already committed to the University of Minnesota for the 2010-2011 season.
Finally, forward Tyler Lapic could find himself selected this weekend after finishing 114th among North American skaters in Central Scouting's Final Rankings. Originally selected 58th overall by Omaha in the 2008 USHL Futures Draft, Lapic is already committed to the University of Wisconsin.
The NHL Draft begins Friday, June 26th at 7 PM EST, 6 PM CST with the final rounds concluding Saturday, June 27th.
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United States Hockey League Stories from June 25, 2009
• Omaha Lancers 2009 NHL Draft Preview - Omaha LancersThe opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
