Cougars Tyrell Waits One More Day

By Kelly Sharp

The waiting game continues for Prince George Cougars Dana Tyrell. The 18-year-old centre was not selected in the opening round of the NHL entry draft in Columbus, Ohio.

Tyrell must wait until Saturday to find out what National Hockey League team will draft him. The 5-11 180 lb. forward was projected to be drafted late in the first round or in the second round of the NHL entry draft. The New York Rangers Blair Betts is the highest–ever drafted Prince George Cougars forward chosen 33rd overall by the Calgary Flames in round two of the 1998 NHL entry draft. Ironically, Tyrell joined Betts as the only 17-year-old Prince George Cougars to score at least 30 goals in a WHL regular season.

Patrick Kane of the OHL London Knights was selected first overall by the Chicago Black Hawks. Kyle Turris of the BCHL Burnaby Express went third overall to the Phoenix Coyotes. A total of nine Western Hockey Leaguers were chosen in the opening round of the ’07 draft including Kamloops Blazers defenseman Keaton Ellerby who was picked 10^th by the Florida Panthers. Vancouver Giants D-man Jonathan Blum went 23^rd overall to the Nashville Predators. Riley Nash of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks was the second BCHLer chosen in the opeining round going 21^st to the Edmonton Oilers.

The remaining rounds of the ’07 NHL entry draft are Saturday in Columbus.

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