I am wondering what the Leafs are building here
The thoughts that come to mind is maybe they are
trying to build a tough team like Philadelphia
Flyers, Boston Bruins, or hold on to your hat,
the Anaheim Ducks. Sort of like the style that
Brian Burke would build. Is there another Brian
Burke connection? Here is a look at the players
that the Toronto Maple Leafs drafted in the
2008 NHL Entry Draft:

1. D—Luke Schenn

Team: Kelowna Rockets (Western Hockey League)
2007-08 Stats: 57 GP – 7 G – 21 A – 28 P
Shoots: Right - Height: 6'2" - Weight: 216 lbs
Birthdate: Nov. 2, 1989
Hometown: Saskatoon, Sask.
NHL CSS Ranking: Fifth (North American skaters)

"He's the best defensive defenceman in the draft
and probably the best in over a decade, maybe two
decades," said Grant McCagg, publisher of the
McKeen's Hockey Draft Guide. "I can't think of
the last guy that came out of the draft that's
as good defensively right now as Luke Schenn is."

"A big guy that plays a robust game," a WHL coach
explained. "He makes every player on the ice
honest out there because he can stiffen you up
at any time. He's solid defensively and I think
he's gotten better as an offensive defenceman.
Really reliable, competes hard and brings it every
shift. Real character guy. You can see the other
players on his team look up to him."

"The physical presence is top of the heap," McCagg
said. "Great positionally, very good defensive
instincts, highly competitive and he's not afraid
of anything out there. He's going to be a shut
down defenceman for 15 years on your team."

2. RW—Jimmy Hayes
Shoots: R—6'5", 210 lbs Lincoln
(USHL) CSS: 63 (N.A.-S)

More info on Jimmy Hayes
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/9837/2008_prospects_jimmy_hayes/

3. C Mikhail Stefanovich 6' 2" 202 QMJHL Quebec
More info on Mikhail Stefanovich
http://www.eurohockey.net/players/show_player.cgi?serial=104734

4. D Greg Pateryn 6' 2" 212 USHL
More info on Greg Pateryn
http://ohiojuniorbluejackets.com/inside/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&i\
d=135&Itemid=

5. C Joel Champagne 6' 4" 210 QMJHL Chicoutimi
More info on Joel Champagne
http://www.lhjmq.qc.ca/lang_en/index.php?page=2147483647&id_register=6561

6. LW Jerome Flaake 6' 2" 187 Germany KOLN
More info on Jerome Flaake
http://www.eurohockey.net/players/show_player.cgi?serial=100632

7. G Grant Rollheiser 6' 4" 195 BCHL Trail
More info on Grant Rollheiser
http://www.bchl.bc.ca/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&te\
amID=125510&playerID=332515

8. D Andrew MacWilliam 6' 2" 214 AJHL Camrose
More info on Andrew MacWilliam
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/5428

It will be really interesting how these draft
pics pan out. I don't think they will all make
the Toronto Maple Leafs this year but I would
think their first pick Luke Schenn (5th overall)
should make the Leafs out of training camp.

Best Regards
Michael Grant
http://mapleleafs.ning.com

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Tags: 2008, anaheim, andrew, boston, brian, bruins, building, burke,
champagne, draft, ducks, entry, flaake, flyers, grant, greg, hayes,
jerome, jimmy, joel, leafs, luke, macwilliam, maple, mikhail, nhl,
pateryn, philadelphia, rollheiser, schenn, stefanovich, team, toronto