THREE WOLVERINES SELECTED IN FIRST ROUND

The first round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft has just concluded and a
record three Wolverines have been selected in the first round.

To no one's surprise, the first pick overall was defenseman Erik
Johnson of the U.S. NTDP U-18 Team going to St. Louis.

All eyes were on the No. 2 pick. Rumors swirled earlier this week
that Carolina was dangling Michigan defenseman Jack Johnson at
Pittsburgh for the selection as they wanted to take Jordan Staal,
younger brother of top Carolina forward Eric Staal. In the end, the
Penguins decided to keep their pick and take Jordan Staal.

The first Wolverine taken in the draft was incoming freshman Trevor
Lewis at 17th overall. The Los Angeles Kings actually traded up to
pick Lewis, sending Pavel Demitra to Minnesota for the 17th pick and
prospect Patrick O'Sullivan. The Kings said if their man was still
available at #17, they were going to trade up for him, so they
definitely had their eyes on Lewis from the get go. The announcers
made a comment that a lot of scouts went to Des Moines to watch his
teammate Kyle Okposo and came back more impressed with Lewis. Okposo,
by the way, was taken 7th overall by the New York Islanders.

Two picks later Anaheim selected Michigan defenseman Mark Mitera, and
man did he get ripped into by Pierre McGuirre. McGuirre said Mitera
had no offensive upside, mostly sat on the bench at the World Junior
Championships, and was not anywhere near NHL ready (even though by his
own admission he said no players in this range this year are near NHL
ready). Bob McKenzie called Mitera a good, solid, safe pick, and the
Ducks said they were very happy with their selection.

And nearing the end of the first round, the Detroit Red Wings traded
their 29th and 152nd picks to Phoenix in exchange for the Coyotes'
41st and 47th picks. The Coyotes used the 29th pick to select
incoming freshman defenseman Chris Summers from the U.S. National Team
Development Program.

Outdoor Life Network ended their coverage of the draft right after the
Summers pick. Goalie Billy Sauer and incoming freshman forward Brian
Lebler remain on the board, however I won't be surprised if neither is
picked until tomorrow.

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That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net/