The NHL Draft - San Jose's picks and other news

On Friday, June 22 and Saturday June 23rd the annual NHL Draft took place. This year the host city was Pittsburgh (PA). After a less than stellar season, with a public smack-down by the Sharks owners group, San Jose Gm Doug Wilson went to Pittsburgh with every intention of filling in some holes in the team. No goalies were taken this time, but San Jose has a couple of decent goalies waiting in the minors, eager to step up.

Did Doug accomplish his goal? We won't know the true results for a minimum of three to four years, when these young players mature.



Here are the picks (all stats per NHL site):

Selected in the first round, Tomas Hertl, as the 17th pick overall:

SEASON	TEAM	LEAGUE	GP	G	A	P	PIM
2009-2010	SLAVIA JR.	CZREP-JR.	42	12	26	38	12
2009-2010	SLAVIA U18	CZREP-JR. U18	7	13	10	23	8
2010-2011	SLAVIA	CZREP	1	0	0	0	0
2010-2011	SLAVIA JR.	CZREP-JR.	33	14	27	41	49
2010-2011	SLAVIA U18	CZREP-JR. U18	4	2	6	8	0
2011-2012	SLAVIA	CZREP	38	12	13	25	22

Tomas Hertl is a 6'2 180 pound Center who shoots left. Tomas hails from Prague (CZE) and played for his country in the 2012 World Junior Championships. During the games, Hertl scored 3 goals and 2 assists for a total of 5 points. The Hockey News said Tomas was ranked #5 in European draft prospects, although it was mentioned he did need to work on his play without the puck.


Selected in the second rounds was Chris Tierney, as the 25th pick (55th overall):

SEASON	TEAM	LEAGUE	GP	G	A	P	PIM
2009-2010	YORK SIMCOE EXPRESS	OMHA	57	35	55	90	28
2010-2011	LONDON	OHL	47	3	8	11	12
2011-2012	LONDON	OHL	65	11	23	34	20

Chris Tierney is a 6'0 191 pound Center who shoots left. The Hockey News ranked him at #118 among North American prospects, with good play making ability and a need to improve his physicality.


Christophe Lalancette was taken 18th in the fourth round (109th overall):

SEASON	TEAM	LEAGUE	GP	G	A	P	PIM
2010-2011	ACADIE-BATHURST	QMJHL	3	0	0	0	0
2010-2011	BLIZZARD SEMINAIRE DU ST. FRANCOIS	LDHMAAAQ	40	10	25	35	22
2010-2011	BLIZZARD SEMINAIRE DU ST. FRANCOIS	MID	40	10	25	35	22
2011-2012	ACADIE-BATHURST	QMJHL	63	16	31	47	35

Chris is a 6'0 168 pound Right Wing who shoots right.


Daniel O'Regan was picked 17th in the 5th round (138th overall):

STATISTICS

SEASON	TEAM	LEAGUE	GP	G	A	P	PIM
2010-2011	CAPE COD WHALERS	MASSM	10	10	7	17	0
2010-2011	ST. SEBASTIAN SCHOOL	HIGH-MA	27	25	25	50	10
2011-2012	ST. SEBASTIAN SCHOOL	HIGH-MA	27	21	35	56	8
2011-2012	USA U-18	USHL	10	3	4	7	2

Daniel is 5'9 162 pound Center who shoots right. He was ranked 76th by the NHL Central Scouting. Daniel has ice hockey in his blood: his father, Tom O'Regan, was a NHL player and later moved his family to Germany where he player in a league. Daniel was born in Germany during the time his father was in the German league. Expect to see Daniel on the ice for Boston University this fall.



Clifford Watson was the final pick in the 6th round, selected 17th (168th overall):

SEASON	TEAM	LEAGUE	GP	G	A	P	PIM
2010-2011	APPLETON UNITED	HIGH-WI	21	18	22	40	44
2010-2011	TEAM WISCONSIN	MHSEL	24	1	15	16	28
2011-2012	SIOUX CITY	USHL	58	0	8	8	53

Clifford is 6'2 201 pound defenseman who shoots left.  Clifford emphasized he wasn't afriad to 'drop the gloves' if the need was there. He told reporters that he has one more year with the USHL before he starts college at Ohio State.



Joakim Ryan was taken in the 7th round #17 (198th overall):

SEASON	TEAM	LEAGUE	GP	G	A	P	PIM
2010-2011	DUBUQUE	USHL	53	3	29	32	26
2011-2012	CORNELL	ECAC	34	7	10	17	20

Joakim is 5'10 182 pound Defenseman who shoots left. He plays for COrnell and is not ranked.


A couple of rule changes for the next season:

In addition, the Board approved changes to Rules 67 (handling the puck) and 76 (faceoffs). A two-minute minor penalty element was added to both rules.

For Rule 67, a penalty now will be issued any time a player places his hand over the puck while it is on the ice in order to conceal it from an opponent or prevent an opponent from playing the puck. For Rule 76, a delay of game penalty now will be issued to any player taking a faceoff who uses his hand to direct the puck in any direction.


San Jose Management has expressed it's confidence in Coach Todd McLellan. He'll return as the head coach for the next season (if there is one). As for other changes within the team, no announcement have been made yet.

Brad Stuart has been signed to a 3.6 million a year contract. For those of us who remember, Brad was drafted by San Jose in 1998 in the first round,3rd overall. He played with the Sharks from 1999-2006. San Jose traded him to the Boston Bruins. Brad made a journey around the League, stopping at Calgary, Los Angles, and Detroit before re-signing with San Jose. Here are Brad's stats (from San Jose's site):

 

Season	Team	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PP	SH	GW	S	S%
1996-1997	Regina Pats-WHL	5	0	4	4		14
1997-1998	Regina Pats-WHL	9	3	4	7		10
1998-1999	Calgary Hitmen-WHL	21	8	15	23		59	8	0	3
1998-1999	Calgary Hitmen-M-Cup	2	0	2	2		8
1999-2000	Sharks	12	1	0	1	-11	6	1	0	0	12	8.3
2000-2001	Sharks	5	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	4	25.0
2001-2002	Sharks	12	0	3	3	1	8	0	0	0	12	0.0
2003-2004	Sharks	17	1	5	6	-4	13	0	0	0	28	3.6
2005-2006	Canada-WC-A					0					0	0.0
2006-2007	Flames	6	0	1	1	-3	6	0	0	0	7	0.0
2007-2008	Red Wings	21	1	6	7	15	14	0	0	1	25	4.0
2008-2009	Red Wings	23	3	6	9	5	12	1	0	0	34	8.8
2009-2010	Red Wings	12	2	4	6	6	8	0	0	0	23	8.7
2010-2011	Red Wings	11	0	2	2	6	8	0	0	0	10	0.0
2011-2012	Red Wings	5	0	1	1	-5	0	0	0	0	4	0.0
	NHL Totals	124	9	28	37	10	75	2	0	1	159	5.7

Here is the video of Sharks GM Doug Wilson and Tim Burke discussing the Draftees

http://video.sharks.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=139&id=182822&cmpid=embed-share-video

I'll end this with a prayer for Dominic Moore's wife, Katie, who is battling a serious illness. May the Goddess bless you with a speedy, and full, recovery.