Monday Morning

Good morning! What a weekend... exciting times with the NHL draft, trades and big annoucements.

Joel Edmundson had a big showing at the draft, going 16th in the 2nd round, 46th overall to the St. Louis Blues.  The big week isn't over yet for Joel, he gradutates today and turns 18 tomorrow... Congrats to Joel.

Joel adds to the list of a solid showing of Warrior d-men being selected for future NHL work.  Travis Hamonic was a 2nd round pick, 53rd overall, Dylan McIlrath and Kendall McFaull were both selected in 2010.  Warriors 16 year old star, Morgan Rielly is poised to be a high selection next year.

Ryan Nugent Hopkins did indeed go first overall in the draft.  Along with 33 other WHL players...

2011 NHL Entry Draft, WHL Players

1^st Round

#1. Edmonton Oilers – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins; Burnaby, B.C.; Red Deer Rebels

#11. Colorado Avalanche – Duncan Siemens; Sherwood Park, AB; Saskatoon Blades
#13. Calgary Flames – Sven Bartschi; Langenthal, SUI; Portland Winterhawks
#18. Chicago Blackhawks – Mark McNeill; Edmonton, AB; Prince Albert Raiders
#23. Pittsburgh Penguins – Joseph Morrow; Sherwood Park, AB; Portland Winterhawks

2^nd Round

#31. Edmonton Oilers – David Musil; Calgary, AB; Vancouver Giants
#32. St. Louis Blues – Ty Rattie; Airdrie, AB; Portland Winterhawks
#46. St. Louis Blues – Joel Edmundson; Brandon, MB; Moose Jaw Warriors#57. Calgary Flames – Tyler Wotherspoon; Surrey, BC; Portland Winterhawks

3^rd Round

#67. Winnipeg Jets – Adam Lowry; Calgary, AB; Swift Current Broncos
#73. Carolina Hurricanes – Keegan Lowe; Edmonton, AB; Edmonton Oil Kings
#74. Edmonton Oilers – Travis Ewanyk; North Vancouver, BC; Edmonton Oil Kings
#84. Phoenix Coyotes – Harrison Ruopp; Zehner, SK; Prince Albert Raiders

4^th Round

#106. New York Rangers – Michael St. Croix; Winnipeg, MB; Edmonton Oil Kings
#107. Buffalo Sabres – Colin Jacobs; Grapevine, TX; Seattle Thunderbirds
#111. Phoenix Coyotes – Kale Kessy; Shaunavon, SK; Medicine Hat Tigers
#115. Detroit Red Wings – Marek Tvrdon; Nitra, SVK; Vancouver Giants
#118. Philadelphia Flyers – Marcel Noebels; Toenisvorst, DEU; Seattle Thunderbirds
#119. Winnipeg Jets – Zachary Yuen; Vancouver, BC; Tri-City Americans

5^th Round

#125. New York Islanders – John Persson; Mora SWE; Red Deer Rebels
#127. New York Islanders – Brenden Kichton; Spruce Grove, AB; Spokane Chiefs
#134. New York Rangers – Shane McColgan; Manhattan Beach, CA; Kelowna Rockets
#138. Montreal Canadiens – Darren Dietz; Medicine Hat, AB; Saskatoon Blades
#141. Phoenix Coyotes – Darren Dzuirzynski; Lloydminster, AB; Saskatoon Blades
#144. Pittsburgh Penguins - Dominik Uher; Ostvava, CZE; Spokane Chiefs

6^th Round

#156. Ottawa Senators – Darren Kramer; Peace River, AB; Spokane Chiefs
#159. New Jersey Devils – Reece Scarlett; Sherwood Park, AB; Swift Current Broncos
#164. Calgary Flames – Laurent Brossoit; Port Alberni, BC; Edmonton Oil Kings
#165. Dallas Stars – Matej Stransky; Ostrava, CZE; Saskatoon Blades
#167. Buffalo Sabres – Nathan Lieuwen; Abbotsford, BC; Kootenay Ice
#175. Detroit Red Wings – Richard Nedomlel; Prague, CZE; Swift Current Broncos

7^th Round#186. Ottawa Senators – Jordan Fransoo; North Battleford, SK; Brandon Wheat Kings
#193. Carolina Hurricanes – Brody Sutter; Calgary, AB; Lethbridge Hurricanes

Past WHL – NHL Draft Results
A total of 43 WHL players were selected in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, including seven in the 1^st round.
A total of 31 WHL players were selected in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, including five in the 1^st round.
A total of 37 WHL players were selected in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, including nine in the 1^st round.
A total of 37 WHL players were selected in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, including nine in the 1^st round.
A total of 24 WHL players were selected in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft
A total of 43 WHL players were selected in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft

The CHL Import Draft goes Wednesday.  The Warriors have the 42nd overall all pick which should happen at about 3:50 pm and the 102nd pick in the 2nd round.  The Warriors have picked the likes of Tony Honejsek, Michal Hlinka and Jakub Herman in the past few years. 

The NHL made a variety of annoucements through out the draft.  Former Warrior, Troy Brouwer was dealt to the Washington Capitals for the Cap's first round pick.  Blair Jones extended his contract with Tampa Bay for a year.  Another former Warrior moved closer to home, Ryan Smyth was traded back to Edmonton where he hopes he can finish his career. 

The Free Agent market opens up on July 1st--- and there is some big names up for grabs.  We will look at those later this week.

Have a great week!