NHL Draft 2008: Part 3

Fourth Round

96th Overall, Matt Donovan, Cedar Rapids

Red Line rank: #179 - Matt Donovan D, 5-11/185, Shoots L, DOB- 09 MAY 90, Team- Cedar Rapids

McKeen's:

02/15/2008 - Good all-around defenseman .. backwards skating form is still solid, as he does not rely on crossovers and maintains a wide base and power position .. smooth skater with good speed and good all-compass mobility .. has the lateral mobility and overall agility to stick with opponents in the corners and along the boards .. has quick feet when necessary, although he wants to improve further in this area .. able to make a nifty standing shot block where he brings his feet together and gets his stick very low but stays on his feet.. tends to make simple, reliable passing plays .. passes are crisp and accurate .. poised with the puck, as he skates it with confidence and does not panic when fore checked .. has the agility when skating the puck to evade checkers with cutbacks .. demonstrates good two-way awareness in breaking up plays and in knowing when to pinch .. pinches responsibly and can finish when he does .. has a hard pointshot .. leading the USHL in plus/minus at this juncture of the season .. NHL teams will be making a mistake if they do not consider Donovan because of his 6-foot-0, 185-pound frame.

102nd overall, David Ullstrom

Red Line rank: #219 - David Ullstrom LW, 6-4/210, Shoots L, DOB- 22 APR 89, Team- HV 71 Jrs.

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ISS rank: # 91
Position: Left wing
Born: 4.22.89
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 198
ISS Ranking #91
ISS Nov. Ranking N/A

Report Card
Skating: Very Good
Shot/Scoring: Excellent
Puckhandling: Very Good
Hockey Sense: Average
Scouting Report:Classic late-bloomer! Ullstrom went undrafted in the 07 NHL Draft, however he will get serious consideration at the 08 Draft after a spectacular season in the Swedish junior league. A good skater looks effortless when skating up the ice. Battles hard - gets involved physically and is more than willing to stand up for himself and for his teammates. His defensive game is sufficient, he will need to continue to develop this area of his game.Year Team GP G A PTS PIM07/08 HV71 40 27 27 54 86---------
McKeen's rank: #101 C, 6-2, 191.

Fifth Round

126th overall, Kevin Poulin, Victoriaville

Red Line rank: #78 - Kevin Poulin G, 6-2/208, Catches L, DOB- 27 JUN 90, Team- Victoriaville. "Great tools - what the hell happened? Mentally soft."
"Maddeningly inconsistent; a world beater one night, and an absolute dreck on other occasions. Has all the tools to be a good one. Big and technically sound. Excellent reflexes and goes post-to-post in a flash; gets great push off either foot. Tall enough to cover top corners while on his knees in the butterfly. Has the potential to steal games when he's hot. Squares up to shooters well and, with his size, doesn't leave them much to shoot at. But has shown a propensity to lose his angles this season. Anticipates plays around the crease very well. Maintains focus and finds puck through traffic. Shakey with the glove hand - has a tendency not to catch cleanly. Lacks mental toughness when things are not going his way. Ended season on a down note with a horrific playoff performance.
Projection: Career back-up who teases in stretches.
Style compares to: Mathieu Garon"
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McKeen's rank: # 70

"Poulin was one of a handful of prospects from the QMJHL that never quite lived up to the hype this season. 'It's all mixed reactions with him', - said one scout. 'Some scouts like him, some don't all that much. He got some physical skills without question, but is he strong enough mentally? He hasn't proven that he can be consistent, and that gets back to the mental part of the game."Team Canada's coaches were not overly impres

sed with his conditioning or his lackadasical attitude at last summer's U18 tournament in the Czech Republic. This year he was inconsistent with a poor Victoriaville team, outstanding for a couple of games and then pulled in the first period the next.'Last night he had no problem with his mental flaws, everything was good', said one scout at midseason, when he had Poulin ranked as a first round prospect.'He was very technical, all movements are very measured. He's very strong, you don't move him. Maybe not so much a complete butterfly, he's a hybrid. His athleticism and leg strength are good. Two good games in a row he's been solid.'By the end of the year the same scout no longer had Poulin ranked in his top 60 due to question marks about his conditioning, mental approach and consistency."

148th overall, Matthew Martin, OHL SARNIA

Posts from Isles insiders on this pick: link- http://islanders.nhl.com//news/draft2008blog.htm

Sixth Round

156th overall, Jared Spurgeon, WHL SPOKANE
2007-08 Regular Season Spokane Chiefs Games: 69 Goals:12 Assists:31 Points:43 +/- :36 PIM:1

McKeen's: 05/14/2008 - Not a notable draft prospect to begin the season, Spurgeon eventually attracted the attention of scouts this season with his stellar-defensive play and great poise and maturity .. the 5-foot-9, 170-pound rearguard played in 69 games posting 12 goals, 31 assists and a durable plus- 36 rating .. Spurgeon skates very well with a wide stride that he can kick up into another gear if need be .. he has worked hard on his shot over the year and it has paid off in spades, as he is more accurate than he ever was, has greater control and better velocity from the point .. he is not overly physical but plays very good positional hockey and always seems to get the puck out of harms way in his own zone ..displays strong outlet passes, as he does not rush and always takes a look .. he played both the pk and pp this season logging good minutes and getting valuable experience .. he knows his role and plays it to a tee, as he does not try to overcompensate in average areas of his game and puts team defense first .. he will probably be a mid-round pick at the draft.

175th overall, Justin DiBenedetto, OHL SARNIA

2007-08 Regular Season Sarnia Sting games 58 goals 39 assist 54 points 93 +/- 12 PIM 61

Posts on this pick: link- http://islanders.nhl.com//news/draft2008blog.htm

once again big thank you to IM for the info.