Just for fun, I reviewed the past 15 years of the NHL players drafted 63^rd and 72nd overall.

 

What is the rationale behind my interest? Jujhar Khaira of the Prince George Spruce Kings was selected 63^rd overall this year by the Edmonton Oilers, the first of five BCHL players chosen, and Troy Bourke of the Prince George Cougars was taken 72^nd by the Colorado Avalanche, the 15^th of 32 WHL players selected in the 2012 Entry Draft.

Both forwards were taken in the third round and Khaira became the highest Spruce Kings player ever drafted, surpassing defenceman Brad Fast, who was also picked in round three, but 84^th overall by Carolina in 1999.

(By the way, Fast ended up only playing one NHL game in 03/04. This is the second time a Spruce King has been selected ahead of a Cougar. In 1999, the only Cougar taken was forward Justin Cox, 184^th overall, 6^th round to Dallas, and Cox wound up with no games in the NHL)

Not surprisingly, most players chosen #63 or 72 never made the NHL or played sparingly but there are exceptions.

 

Notable players taken 63^rd overall include goalie Peter Budaj (Colorado, 2001), forward Tomas Fleismann (Detroit, 2002) and headlining the list, forward David Krejci (Boston, 2004). The one big name chosen 72^nd was goalie Jonathan Quick (LA, 2005). Forward Cal Clutterbuck (Minnesota, 2006) is another player as a 72^nd pick. He is enjoying a serviceable NHL career with the Wild with 100 points in 304 games over four seasons.

 

Yes, the odds may be against Khaira (headed to Michigan Tech in the fall) and Bourke becoming full-time NHL’ers, but they are only 18, and it will be the next few years that determine whether they have the drive, desire and dedication to beat those odds and fulfill their dream. A break or two along the way will be welcome as sometimes it comes down to opportunity and favorable circumstances to be given that “Shot”.

 

 

The following is a chart of the players selected 63^rd and 72^nd since 1997:

 

 

 

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Although there was obvious jubilation in Khaira and Bourke households, there was disappointment for BCHL scoring champ Paul De Jersey.

Khaira’s 2011-2012 line mate was not picked in the NHL Entry Draft even though he was ranked 98^th among North American skaters by Central Scouting. (That was a higher ranking than Bourke).

 

De Jersey wasn’t selected because he is a late bloomer and was two years older than most of the other eligible players. He certainly did not impress as a 17 or 18-year old in the BCHL before shining as a 19-year old sniper, his only season with the Spruce Kings.

 

It can be argued that often it is better to not be drafted than being chosen as a late round pick. As a free agent, a player can negotiate with all NHL teams, rather than being stuck in one organization.

 

For instance, former Cariboo Cougars and P.G. Spruce Kings defenceman Brandon Manning was a late bloomer with the Chilliwack Bruins of the WHL. He did not get picked in the NHL draft and has since found a home with the Philadelphia Flyers organization having played four games with the Flyers prior to his 22^nd birthday.

 

According to CapGeek.com, Manning is scheduled to earn $65,000 in the 2012-13 season in the AHL and $740,000 if he makes the NHL, plus bonuses.

 

De Jersey, just two years younger than Manning, will play U.S. college hockey in the fall at Providence motivated to prove he is not a one year wonder.

 

 

I just watched a CFL preseason game, with the usual assortment of blunders, blown calls and
confusion about Canadian rules. But enough about Rod Black.

 

Reuters says 1,000 people worldwide have Kleine Levin Syndrome—sleeping for months at a time. In Canada, we call it Toronto Maple Leaf Disorder.

 

 

 

Ryan Leaf , on the occasion of his sentencing (for breaking into a house and illegally possessing pankillers), said that ‘I’m lazy, selfish, and dishonest’. The judge interrupted him by reportedly saying, ‘Mr. Leaf, we don’t want to hear about your years with the San Diego Chargers’.

 

An Indian "laughter therapist" said he wants to set a world record by having 25,000 laugh in unison in the same place—they’re all flying in to catch a Cubs-Padres game.

 

New York Mets closer Frank Francisco called his cross town rival Yankees chickens. Francisco better not lay an egg in his next appearance.

49 year old Jamie Moyer has signed with the Toronto Blue Jays Triple A team, Las Vegas: Dave Stieb and Jimmy Key both asked, “So what are we, chopped liver?”

 

 

Jamie Moyer’s fastball sounds great if converted to metric.

 

 

Jamie Moyer is heading to Toronto. Good for him but what a waste with the timing – Moyer gets into the Canadian healthcare system just when he would have been eligible for Medicare.
Will this make Moyer the first Toronto “Gray Jay?”

The real reason Jamie Moyer signed with the Toronto Blue Jays? He always wanted to play with that “nice young man,” Omar Vizquel.

 

The Grey Cup will begin a 74 day trip across Canada. It was originally scheduled for 60 days but Toronto asked for an extra 2 weeks to show kids in the city what a professional championship trophy looks like.
Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgaryhttp://smacksport.blogspot.com