WHL Saskatoon Blades

Elliott and Gallimore crack NHL Central Scouting Rankings

November 18, 2008 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


The National Hockey League's Central Scouting Service released their Fall Preliminary rankings of draft eligible players for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft with Spokane Chiefs' rearguard, Jared Cowen, taking the top spot among the WHL's contingent.

Two members of the Saskatoon Blades cracked the 25 man skaters list. Second year defenseman, Stefan Elliott, is the 5th ranked skater in the WHL, while rookie Burke Gallimore came in at the 12th spot.

Stefan Elliott is recognized for his smooth skating and offensive ability, while remaining defensively responsible in his own end. This year Elliott has 11 goals, the most among defensemen in the WHL, 9 assists, 20 points, 4 penalty minutes, and a plus/minus of +9.

Burke Gallimore came storming out of the gates in his first season in the WHL by scoring 10 goals in his first 11 games. Gallimore is 2nd in rookie goal scoring with 12 goals to go along with his 3 assists and a plus 8 rating. Burke has a nose around the net and always puts himself in a good position for his teammates to feed him the puck.

Cowen, a 17-year-old from Allan, SK, is in his second full season in the WHL with the Chiefs, having helped lead the team to the WHL and Memorial Cup championship last season as a rookie.

The 6' 5", 218-lb rearguard possesses a combination of size and skill that makes him a top prospect for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Cowen boasts tremendous poise and hockey sense, and makes smart decisions with the puck. He also skates well for a big player, and possesses some promising offensive instincts.

Also among the WHL's top-ranked players is Vancouver Giants' 17-year-old star Evander Kane, who currently leads the WHL in scoring and ranks second behind Cowen. Brandon Wheat Kings forward and reigning WHL Rookie of the Year Brayden Schenn ranks third, while fellow Wheat King Scott Glennie is the fourth-ranked WHL skater.

Rookie Kootenay Ice netminder Nathan Lieuwen ranks first among the WHL's draft-eligible goaltenders. Lieuwen backstopped Canada's Under-18 team to a Gold medal at the 2008 Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament in August.

Western Hockey League Preliminary Rankings - Fall 2008

Skaters

PLAYER TEAM BIRTHDAY HT WT POS SHOT

1 Jared Cowen Spokane 25-Jan-91 6-foot-4.75 218 D L

2 Evander Kane Vancouver 2-Aug-91 6-foot-1 180 C L

3 Brayden Schenn Brandon 22-Aug-91 6-foot 193 C L

4 Scott Glennie Brandon 22-Feb-91 6-foot-1 180 C R

5 Stefan Elliott Saskatoon 30-Jan-91 6-foot-0.25 185 D R

6 Carter Ashton Lethbridge 1-Apr-91 6-foot-4.75 212 RW L

7 Tommi Kivisto Red Deer 7-Jun-91 6-foot-0.5 198 D L

8 Tyson Barrie Kelowna 26-Jul-91 5-foot-10.25 188 D R

9 Landon Ferraro Red Deer 8-Aug-91 5-foot-11 169 C R

10 Ryan Button Prince Albert 26-Mar-91 6-foot-0.25 185 D L

11 Jimmy Bubnick Kamloops 19-Jan-91 6-foot-1.5 188 C R

12 Burke Gallimore Saskatoon 8-Jan-91 5-foot-11.5 195 RW R

13 Cass Mappin Red Deer 20-Dec-90 6-foot 186 LW L

14 Ryan Howse Chilliwack 6-Jul-91 5-foot-10.75 195 LW L

15 Brayden McNabb Kootenay 21-Jan-91 6-foot-3.5 200 D L

16 Tomas Vincour Edmonton 19-Nov-90 6-foot-2 203 C R

17 Garrett Mitchell Regina 9-Feb-91 5-foot-10 180 RW R

18 Adam Hughesman Tri-City 28-Feb-91 5-foot-10.5 185 LW L

19 Willie Coetzee Red Deer 7-Nov-90 5-foot-9.5 186 RW R

20 Cody Eakin Swift Current 25-May-91 5-foot-10.75 180 C L

21 Brodie Melnychuk Brandon 13-May-91 6-foot-3.5 196 D L

22 Collin Bowman Kelowna 13-Jun-91 6-foot-2.25 200 D R

23 Stepan Novotny Kelowna 21-Sep-90 6-foot-1.5 190 RW R

24 Dalibor Bortnak Kamloops 17-Feb-91 6-foot-3.5 185 C L

25 Brennan Yadlowski Lethbridge 17-Jun-91 6-foot-0.5 174 D R

Goaltenders

PLAYER TEAM BIRTHDAY HT WT POS CATCH

1 Nathan Lieuwen Kootenay 8-Aug-91 6-foot-4.75 188 G R

2 Jon Groenheyde Kamloops 4-Apr-91 6-foot-3 195 G L

3 Damien Ketlo Regina 29-Jan-91 5-foot-11.5 178 G L

4 Darcy Kuemper Red Deer 5-May-90 6-foot-3.5 195 G L

5 Jamie Tucker Vancouver 18-Apr-91 5-foot-10.75 160 G L

The Blades next two home games give fans the chance to see #15 rated skater Brayden McNabb and #1 rated goalie Nathan Lieuwen tomorrow night when the Blades play the Kootenay Ice. #3 and #4 skaters Brayden Schenn and Scott Glennie then visit the Credit Union Centre for the first time this season on Saturday, November 22nd at 7:05 PM.

Tickets for both games can be purchased by calling 938.7800 or by visiting ticketmaster.ca.

Check out the Saskatoon Blades Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from November 18, 2008


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