OTHL NEWS AGENCY -- The OTHL have moved down to Carolina for the weekend, for the inagural entry draft. A event that brings fans from all teams down the Raleigh and the RBC Center. But the focus of the draft is the young players that are all hoping that they impressed the scouts from the different teams, so that they will be picked by one of the 30 OTHL teams. Some players are a sure lock to be picked, while some might not be picked at all.
This years draft have been called a two player draft, as there are two "sure" players in the draft. Both are from Russia, and both could be called both franchise players or bluechip prospects. Alexander Ovechkin from Dynamo Moscow and Yvgeny Malkin from Magnitogorsk. Both have impressed scouts and others all over the world with there skills. Ovechkin so much that he has been hailed as the best russian prospect ever.
Behind the two top names, we find a couple of very interesting players that could all become solid OTHL players in the future. Cameron Barker, a 6'3, 206 pound defender from Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL is dubbed by many to go as number three behind the two russian players. But some scouts say that it could also be Andrew Ladd a scoring winger from Calgary Hitmen (WHL), that gets his name called as number three tomorrow at the draft. Rostislav Olesz is also a interesting name that could go in the top 5. Olesz a solid two-way center, with some decent offensive tools.
It also looks like we will get to see at least two goalies being drafted on the first day. Al Montoya ranked as the best North-American by the CSS, and Marek Schwarz ranked as the best European goaltender. Montoya who plays in the NCAA for Michigan, and who won the WJC with the US in a final where he was a human wall. And Schwarz who plays in the Czech Extraliga for the Sparta Praha.
One thing is sure. And that is we will see two very interesting days, with a lot of wheeling and dealing between the teams. And some new future OTHLers will also get there first glims of the OTHL spotlight.
The draft starts tomorrow at 10 AM EST, with the Hawks stepping up to the podium to make the pick. All signs indicate that they will go with Alexander Ovechkin, while the Pittsburgh Penguins that hold the second pick, will go with Malkin. Then the Florida Panthers will draft, but as most people know the Panthers are known for making trades. So don't be surprised, if a timeout is called as early as at the #3 pick...