Ducks Draft Round Up

A relatively exciting NHL Draft this year. With the announcement of Winnipeg’s official name, The Jets, there were also several trades to gain picks. Nugent-Hopkins was selected first overall, which was to be expected. Here is a recap of the Ducks picks in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Round 1: Rickard Rakell (C, RW)

–The Ducks started out with the 22nd overall pick, but traded with Toronto for the 30th and 39th overall picks. With the 30th overall pick they chose winger Rickard Rakell. The 6 foot 191 pound Swede played for Plymouth of the OHL last season where he lead all rookies in scoring with 19 goals in 49 games. He also played at the 2011 World Junior Championships, at the age of 17, where he added 3 assists for his team.

Murray spoke on the matter with NHL.Com

His decision to trade down:

“We made the decision to trade down because we had a line drawn at a certain spot, where if everyone was gone by that spot, you have an opportunity to get a second round pick and you try that.”

“We were doing well and then all of a sudden, three out of the four guys we wanted to take were taken right in a row before us. Toronto had come along and so did two other teams. Toronto had the highest second round pick, so we went with that.”

On Rakell:

“You had a next grouping of guys and Rakell was in that group. I saw him at the World Junior a whole bunch. He was a 17-year-old in the World Juniors and he did a good jobthere. He’s a good two-way player and a smart hockey player, and he can play center or wing. We’re very happy he was still there at 30.”

Although he is not ready for the NHL, a few more years in the minors will serve him great.

Round 2: John Gibson (G)

-The Ducks 39th overall pick went to the American goaltender John Gibson who has committed to the University of Michigan for the fall. He won gold for Team USA at the 2011 Under-18 World Championships in Germany. He backstopped the U.S. to back-to-back overtime wins in the semifinal against Canada and the final against Sweden. Gibson was named the Best Goaltender of the tournament for his 2.34 goals-against average and .926 save percentage. A promising young goalie who we can look forward to being a part of the organization.

William Karlsson (C):

-The 6-0, 163-pounder played with Vasteras Jr. of the Swedish junior league. He scored 20 goals and notched 54 points in 38 games. A solid center with good energy and quick hands.

Round 3: Joseph Cramarossa (C)

–In 59 games played, he registered 32 points and 101 PIM with the Mississuaga St. Michaels

Andy Welinski (D):

-The Ducks first defensemen of the draft, he will play at  Minnesota-Duluth, the 2011 NCAA Division I champion, next season.

The Ducks had no 4th round pick since they traded it to Montreal for Kyle Chipchura

Round 5: Max Friberg (LW):

-Playing for Skovde in the Swedish third division, Friberg tallied 40 points in 34 games. Central Scouting ranked him 13th overall for European skaters. A steal for a pick this late in the draft

Round 6: Josh Manson(D):

-The Ducks final pick of the draft, they picked Manson, who has been playing with the Salmon Arm SilverBacks of the BCHL.