NHL Combine Tests 61 CHL Prospects
By Paul Krotz/CHL
61 of the Canadian Hockey League’s top prospects eligible for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft were given one last opportunity to impress management and scouts at the annual NHL Combine last week in Toronto.
After being evaluated in competition throughout the course of the 2011-12 regular season and playoffs, the combine provided the opportunity for prospects to excel off the ice.
“For teams it’s really a three-stage event,” said Chris Edwards of NHL Central Scouting. “They get to interview the players early in the week, then they have medical testing, and of course the fitness testing at the end of the week. I think the teams in a lot of cases find they get the most out of the interview process.”
NHL clubs had the ability to interview as many of the 105 combine participants as they liked, giving players a great chance to leave a positive impression.
“It’s good to get in there and talk to teams,” said top WHL prospect Ryan Murray of the Everett Silvertips. “You get to tell them a little bit about yourself and having an opportunity to talk to the scouts is great, it’s good to hear some feedback regarding your play.”
The interviews also provided CHL Rookie of the Year and top QMJHL prospect Mikhail Grigorenko the opportunity to participate in the combine experience since a bout of mono kept him away from the fitness tests.
“I met a lot of people and got to tell them about myself,” the Quebec Remparts forward said. “I would have liked to show the guys I can do it, but I am still happy to be a part of this.”
While scouts had plenty of opportunities to see Murray and Grigorenko this season, fourth ranked Alex Galchenyuk of the Sarnia Sting received lots of attention at the combine after being limited to just two regular season and six playoff games due to injury.
“I think the teams know what kind of player I am and what I bring to the table,” said Galchenyuk. “I think the combine experience they just see what kind of person you are and what you bring off the ice.”
Galchenyuk demonstrated his off-ice abilities finishing with a top score in peak power output calculated through one of the 13 fitness tests players had to endure.
Some other CHL top finishes included James Melindy of the Moncton Wildcats who showed the best fatigue index, Francois Tremblay of the Val-d’Or Foreurs who had the best hand-eye coordination, Mike Winther of the Prince Albert Raiders who executed the most bench press reps, and Chandler Stephenson of the Regina Pats who did the most pushups.
Although the fitness results may not necessarily improve a prospect’s draft stock, putting forward a strong effort might be just enough to impress the scouts.
“Make sure you give everything you’ve got and don’t quit,” said sixth ranked prospect Cody Ceci of the Ottawa 67’s following the completion of his fitness tests. “I think that’s the most important thing to them, but it probably doesn’t hurt if you go out and dominate everything either and that’s what we all just tried to do.”
The 2012 NHL Entry Draft takes place June 22-23 in Pittsburgh.
