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 Canadian Aaron Ekblad, of the Barrie Colts in the Ontario Hockey
League (OHL), was taken number one by the Florida Panthers in a
draft in Philadelphia largely devoid of surprises. Draisaitl said he
looked forward to following in the wake of some of the greats who
have played for the Oilers.
"Wearing the same jersey as (Wayne) Gretzky and (Mark) Messier and
all those stars is a huge honour," the 18-year-old from Cologne told
TSN television. "It's a great organisation (with) a lot of young
talented guys and I can't wait until training camp. I think I'm a
good fit." Edmonton general manager Craig MacTavish said Draisitl's
size at 6'1" (1.85m) and 204 pounds (92kgs) had been key to why the
franchise chose him from the Prince Albert Raiders in the Western
Hockey League (WHL). "We all know how difficult big centers are to
obtain," MacTavish said. "Leon fits that bill for us. There will be
a line-up of wingers ready to play with Leon."
The Oilers are coming off a poor season in which they finished last
in the Western Conference. The top seven draft picks all came from
the OHL and WHL on a night when Ekblad became the first defenseman
in eight years to be taken number one. "I believe in myself and I'm
confident I can step into the league next year. I think that's what
the Florida Panthers see in me," Ekblad said.
"I feel that this is where I can facilitate my development and help
the team win a Stanley Cup in a few years." Florida general manger
Dale Tallon said Ekblad would be one of the cornerstones of the
franchise.
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Vancouver-born Sam Reinhart of Kootenay in the WHL was taken
second by the Buffalo Sabres. "I'm ecstatic. This is the best moment
of my life," said Reinhart, whose father Paul played 11 seasons in
the NHL. Draisaitl was the only non-Canadian among the top six draft
picks, while Canadian-born Swede William Nylander was taken seventh
by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Nylander's father Michael played 920 games over 15 seasons in the
NHL.
Nylander was one of three players among the top 13 draft picks who
played in Sweden last season, along with Swiss Kevin Fiala (taken
11th by the Nashville Predators) and Czech Jakub Vrana (13th,
Washington Capitals). Left wing Nikolaj Ehlers, of Denmark, was
chosen ninth by the Winnipeg Jets, while Dylan Larkin was the first
American, picked 15th by the Detroit Red Wings.
(This story was corrected to fix Ehlers' draft position in final
paragraph)
(Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina; Editing by Gene
Cherry/Greg Stutchbury)
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