Inside College Hockey | 2005 NHL Draft: Rounds 1-3

July 30, 2005
Johnson Leads First-Round College Picks

Rounds 4 through 7
Sortable Picks
Diamonds in the Rough

Inside College Hockey is following the NHL Draft in Ottawa pick-by-pick, with live updates here as college players are chosen.

For the complete list of picks, including major junior and European players, visit ESPN.com.

First Round

No.	NHL Team	Player (College)
3.	Carolina Hurricanes	Jack Johnson, D (Michigan)
Hurricanes' GM Jim Rutherford: "There was a great debate (between Johnson and OHL defenseman Mark Staal). But we felt with Jack being a hard-nosed player and the offensive upside, that was the guy we wanted."
7.	Chicago Blackhawks	Jack Skille, F (Wisconsin)
Central Scouting Service says: A powerful skater with very good straightaway speed … strong on his skates when battling for the puck along the boards and in the corners … a power forward who drives aggressively and consistently to the net … has a quick release on both his wrist and snap shot … can score in traffic … a high-energy player who gets involved in every shift.
9.	Ottawa Senators	Brian Lee, D (North Dakota)
Senators' GM John Muckler: "We could have some problems on defense because of unrestricted free agency. We feel we drafted a player who can be playing in our top four within the next two years. In this (CBA) system, he's going to have to."
14.	Washington Capitals	Sasha Pokulok, D (Cornell)
Capitals' GM George McPhee: "We see someone who has the opportunity to be a top four defenseman. He's a big kid...and he thinks the game really well. He reminds me of (former New York Ranger) Ron Greschner."
24.	St. Louis Blues	T.J. Oshie, F (North Dakota)
Central Scouting Service says: Strong on his skates … keeps his feet moving … finds the holes and uses his speed … has excellent hands, a good shot with a quick release … is inventive moving the puck in close quarters … he is not big but he is fearless and plays with grit.
25.	Edmonton Oilers	Andrew Cogliano, F (Michigan)
Oilers' GM Kevin Lowe: "Great speed, great hands and we're sort of banking on the new-look NHL and the new rules. When a kid has exceptional speed and ability, they generally find a way to play."
27.	Washington Capitals (from Colorado)	Joe Finley, D (North Dakota)
Central Scouting Service says: A very good skater for his size … smooth and light on his skates … has good speed with a long stride … passes the puck well but is not a great stickhandler … has a very good wrist and slap shot from the point that he keeps low and gets away quickly … is effective when pinching down low in the offensive zone to maintain puck possession … is strong and will punish an opponent when finishing his check.
28.	Dallas Stars	Matt Niskanen, D (Minnesota Duluth)
Central Scouting Service says: Has very good balance and mobility … can one-time the puck but seldom does … an excellent passer and playmaker moving the puck with ease at the right times … likes to jump into the play as well as lead the offensive attack … plays in all game situations and frequently is double-shifted … a very smart player who is never surprised.

Second Round

No.	NHL Team	Player (College)
34.	Colorado Avalanche	Ryan Stoa, F (Minnesota)
Central Scouting Service says: Has deceptive speed in the open ice … receives passes in full stride and is dangerous in one-on-one situations … creative playmaker who is patient and elusive when handling the puck … sees the ice well … has very good hands and a good touch in close … plays more of a finesse game but will be physical when forechecking and battling along the boards.
36.	Edmonton Oilers	Taylor Chorney, F (North Dakota)
Central Scouting Service says: An excellent skater with outstanding speed, balance and agility … very quick and smooth in his turns … a good stickhandling defenseman who rushes the puck and can set up his teammates … a strong crisp passer whose outlet decisions are well timed … has a strong wrist and slap shot … has confidence and poise with the puck on the power play … has an edge to his game.
38.	New Jersey Devils	Jeff Frazee, G (Minnesota)
Central Scouting Service says: A very good skater who possesses excellent athletic ability and quickness … moves very well laterally using the butterfly technique … plays his angles well, staying square to the shooter … shows quickness in both reaction and recovery … has a good catching glove … good at using the ‘paddle-down’ technique on wrap-around attempts and scramble situations … has very good instincts.
42.	Detroit Red Wings	Justin Abdelkader, F (Michigan State)
Central Scouting Service says: An excellent skater; his balance, agility, speed, quickness and acceleration are superb … has very good hands … passes the puck extremely well, has an excellent wrist shot on the fly and has become a confident stickhandler in and out of traffic … is clever on face-offs … plays in all situations and played both center and wing this season … plays with grit and intensity; a tenacious two-way player.
44.	Colorado Avalanche (from Phoenix)	Paul Stastny, F (Denver)
Central Scouting Service says: A well-balanced skater who is hard to knock off his skates … has adequate speed when underway … has excellent hands when passing the puck and getting his shot away … has become a consistent scorer … outstanding at finding a teammate in traffic and getting him the puck for a good scoring opportunity … has excellent hockey sense; very clever with or without the puck.
47.	Colorado Avalanche (from Washington)	Tom Fritsche, F (Ohio State)
Central Scouting Service says: A quick skater with breakaway speed … has good balance and agility … a creative playmaker who moves the puck quickly with crisp, accurate passes … has a good shot with a quick release … has a scoring touch in close … goes to the net hard for rebounds … a smart hockey player … gets involved every shift.
51.	Vancouver Canucks	Mason Raymond, F (Minnesota Duluth)
Of Note: Raymond was the MVP of the Alberta Junior Hockey League this season.
53.	Atlanta Thrashers	Andrew Kozek, F (North Dakota)
Of Note: Kozek is the fifth future North Dakota Fighting Sioux among the first 53 picks.
54.	Chicago Blackhawks	Dan Bertram, F (Boston College)
Central Scouting Service says: A strong skater with quickness in tight going, in and around the crease area … has a very accurate wrist and slap shot and disguises the release of his wrist shot very well … a very good passer who makes smart plays … very patient with the puck and puts a hard and crisp pass right on the tape to breaking linemates … makes smart plays coming out of the corners … had a very good first year at Boston College, despite being the youngest player in college hockey.
58.	Carolina Hurricanes	Nate Hagemo, D (Minnesota)
Central Scouting Service says: A good skater, well balanced, strong on his skates … has speed and good acceleration … can pass or carry the puck out of the defensive zone … has a good low shot from the point and gets it to the net in a timely fashion … a steady, reliable, stay-at-home type defenseman … effective in both a physical and finesse game … has leadership qualities and meets all challenges head-on.
60.	Los Angeles Kings	T.J. Fast, D (Denver)
Of Note: Fast is the first of two future Denver defensemen expected to be selected today. The other, Chris Butler, was ranked 62 spots above Fast among North American skaters by Central Scouting.
61.	Pittsburgh Penguins	Michael Gergen, F (Minnesota Duluth)
Central Scouting Service says: An exceptional skater; excellent acceleration with speed to burn … great balance and agility … makes very good use of his speed … goes to the net hard … a very good wrist shot with a quick release; does not hesitate to use it and surprises goaltenders … he likes to forecheck hard and finish his checks.

Third Round

No.	NHL Team	Player (College)
63.	Anaheim Mighty Ducks	Jason Bailey, F (Michigan)
Central Scouting Service says: A good skater with a strong stride and quick to the puck with a burst of speed … uses his strength to take advantage of scoring opportunities … good, accurate wrist shot … aggressive around the net and will take punishment in front … moves the puck quickly … positional play has improved this season.
72.	Los Angeles Kings	Jon Quick, G (Massachusetts)
Central Scouting Service says: Has good flexibility and athleticism … moves well laterally in the butterfly position, always square to the shooter … has a quick catching glove … anticipates the play well … shows quickness in both reaction and recovery … good at challenging the shooters at the top of his crease … consistently shows good concentration, composure and focus.
76.	New York Islanders	Shea Guthrie, F (Clarkson)
Of Note: Guthrie is the second ECACHL player to be selected in this draft and the first since Sasha Pokulok in the first round.
85.	St. Louis Blues	Ben Bishop, G (Maine)
Central Scouting Service says: A big goalie who uses his size to his advantage … possesses strong skating skills with good balance … plays the top of his crease and stays square to the shooter … has an excellent glove hand … good reactions and recovery … uses his stick well to poke check … very good at going behind the net to stop the puck on dump-ins … plays a very effective butterfly style.
86.	Edmonton Oilers	Robby Dee, F (Maine)
Central Scouting Service says: A smooth quick stride with excellent speed … a natural skater who pulls away from opponents with very little effort … carries the puck at top speed when challenging an opponent and can beat him one-on-one … has a quick wrist shot; could use it more … likes to work the give-and-go play … goes to the net and can finish.
88.	Colorado Avalanche	T.J. Hensick, F (Michigan)
Of Note: With Tom Fritsche already in the fold, Colorado grabs another offensive standout from the CCHA.

Rounds 4 through 7