NHL's 2009 Top Prospects Ready For Draft Day

Top 12 Ranked Players Meet the Media Just Ahead of the Big Day

Jun 25, 2009

The moment they've been dreaming about for years is almost here. But before D-Day, the top dozen ranked prospects were cool and calm at the NHL's Top Prospects Luncheon.

Just over 24 hours before the New York Islanders take to the podium to reveal the first overall selection at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in Montreal, the 12 top prospects gathered for some food and a flurry of questions from the media.

John Tavares, Victor Hedman, Matt Duchene, Evander Kane, Brayden Schenn, Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson, Jacob Josefson, Jordan Schroeder, John Moore, Scott Glennie, Simon Després and Jared Cowen were each introduced one by one and interviewed by TSN/NBC analyst Pierre McGuire before individual media scrums took over. And while no one knows who will go where, the draftees were certain of one thing: they can’t wait for Friday night.

London Knights Center John Tavares

Hype has been following John Tavares since he was 14 years old. Now 18 with two World Junior Championship gold medals and MVP honors (the second time around) under his belt, the Oakville, Ontario native is projected by most to be the first overall pick of 2009.

“I’m looking forward to being a part of an organization and to take that next step,” said Tavares, with the usual throng of microphones and cameras surrounding him. “I’ve worked very hard to get where I am. I’ve changed a lot of things that I’ve needed to in order to get myself ready for the next level. It’s always been my dream to play in the National Hockey League so tomorrow is one step towards that.”

Tavares has learned a lot along the way, but it was only recently that he learned to look at his big moment as just a rung on the ladder in what he hopes will be a long NHL career.

“I remember being in Pittsburgh for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final and meeting Mike Babcock, who said the draft is only one day so there’s still a lot of work to be done. I’m excited about everything but probably the most exciting thing for me tomorrow is just the moment my name is called.”

Swedish Defenseman Victor Hedman

Even if Tavares is topping the majority of mock drafts, no one would be surprised to see the Islanders nab Victor Hedman. While defensemen generally take longer to develop, it’s expected that the 6-foot-6 blue-liner will be ready to make his NHL debut at the start of the 2009-10 season. Hedman is hoping to do just that, regardless of which jersey he’s wearing.

“[John Tavares, Matt Duchene and I] are passionate about the game but obviously I want to go to a team that believes in me. If I go first, that would be a big honor. Going second or third, it’s going still to be great to become an NHL player and try and make an impact on that team.”

After watching a few friends walk up to the podium in 2008, the Örnsköldsvik, Sweden native can’t wait for his opportunity.

“I’m excited and a little bit nervous, but in a good way,” he admitted. “I’ve been waiting for this the last year and a half or two years, so I’ve been looking forward to this day a lot. It feels unreal that it’s coming up tomorrow but it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Brampton Battalion Center Matt Duchene

Over the course of the last hockey season, the discussion wavered between Tavares and Hedman, and who of the pair the Islanders would select. Lately, though, Matt Duchene’s name has crept into the mix, with rumors swirling that perhaps it would be his name Isles General Manager Garth Snow would call out.

“Obviously speculation is that it’s probably going to be Johnny [that will go first] but I don’t think I’d be shocked,” said Duchene, deemed by many as perhaps the most complete prospect available. “Everything went well with them, I had a really good year and I’ve entered into that talk as maybe that guy. Whether or not that happens obviously isn’t up to me, and it’s not something that I’ll be disappointed with either way but if it ends up happening, it would be unbelievable and top off this whole experience.”

Whichever team picks him to join their organization, he has some good news for his future employers.

“I think I’m ready [to play in the NHL next year]. It’s hard to say that for sure, but I need to experience everything first. Ultimately, it’s going to be up to the team to decide but I definitely think I can make a strong push to play next year.”

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