(11/20/05)
2005 NsHL Entry Draft Follow-Up For Washington Capital Draftees

-- Washington, D.C.

The Washington Capitals had nine picks in the 2005 NsHL Entry Draft selecting four defenseman, one centre, two left-wingers and a goalie.  Gone from the 2005 Draftees is Tom Fritsche who was dealt away to the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he is now with his brother, Danny.  Secondly, T.J. Fast was dealt on Draft Day to the Chicago Blackhawks in return for Andy McDonald and Martin Hanzal, who was taken 16th overall in the Draft.

Below is a look at all of the prospects who were taken in the 2005 NsHL Entry Draft and are currently in the Washington Capitals system:

1. Martin Hanzal - Martin Hanzal is the Phoenix Coyote's #6 prospect according to Hockey's Future and is rated a 7.0 B.  Martin is currently playing in the Czech Republic and has played on three teams this year and it seems as if he has finally found his home on the junior team for České Budějovice where has three goals and three assists in two games.  Martin also played in the 1. liga where he posted two goals and five games and he also played seventeen games for České Budějovice in the extraliga where had one assists in seventeen games.  Hanzal plays a solid two-way game and at 6'4" and 198 lbs., he has a little bit of bulking up to do but it is expected that he will be in Phoenix within the next year or two.

2. Vladimir Mihalik (picture on the right) - Vladimir is the Tampa Bay Lightning's #2 prospect according to Hockey's Future and is rated a 7.0 D.  Vladimir is currently playing in the WHL where has 2 goals, 4 assists (totaling 6 points) and 40 penalty-minutes in twenty-four games.  Although he is seen as a stay-at-home defenseman, he has been able to put up some points for the Red Deer Rebels in his first season in North America.  Standing at 6'8" and 234 lbs., Vladimir is expected to be a stud in Tampa Bay for many years to come.

3. Paul Stastny - Paul Stastny is the Colorado Avalanche's #4 prospect according to Hockey's Future and is rated a 7.5 B.  As of November 20, Paul is 8th in NCAA scoring with 18 points (4 goals, 14 assists) in 12 games.  Paul is expected to lead the University of Denver back to a National Championship this year, despite several key players leaving in the off-season for the pros.  Paul has solid vision on the ice, has a solid work ethic and plays a solid, physical two-way game.  Paul is currently 6'0" and 200 lbs. and it is expected that he will be in Colorado within the next few years.

4. Radek Smolenak - Radek Smolenak is the Tampa Bay Lightning's #2 prospect according to Hockey's Future and is rated a 7.0 D.  Radek has 11 goals and 13 assists in 22 games for the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League.  Seen as a natural goal scorer, Radek needs to work on his consistency if he wants to be a top-line goal scorer in the NHL one day.  Currently standing at 6'2" and 180 lbs. Radek also needs to bulk up if he expects to handle the pro game on a nightly basis.

5. Matt Fraser - Matt Fraser is the New Jersey Devil's #17 prospect according to Hockey's Future and is rated a 5.5 B.  Seen as a stay-at-home defenseman, something the Devils were dearly lacking after Scott Stevens retired, Matt Fraser is the Devils #2 defensive prospects which opens a window of opportunities for him.  Matt is not expected to be a superstar but rather, a defensive defenseman who does his job on a nightly basis and is not expected to put up points.

6. Derek Joslin - Derek Joslin is low on the San Jose Shark's depth chart and according to Hockey's Future he is a 6.5 C.  Derek is currently Ottawa 67's in the OHL and has sixteen points (4 goals, 12 assists) in 23 games along with a + 4 rating.  Derek opened the season on a rapid pace with 9 points in 8 games, but has since cooled off.  Derek is more of an offensive defenseman and at 6'1" and 191 lbs., it is expected he will play in the OHL for a few more years as he still has two more years of eligibility.

7. Matt Keetley - GM Cawker belives this pick will be the gem of the 2005 NsHL Entry Draft.  Matt is the Calgary Flame's #10 prospect and is rated a 6.0 C according to Hockey's Future.  Matt Keetley is currently second in the WHL with a 1.74 GAA along with a .926%.  Matt has posted 16 wins, 3 losses and 4 shoout-out loses this year for the Medicine Hat Tigers.  Matt has played 23 of Medicine Hat's 26 games and is the main reason why the Medicine Hat Tigers are first in the WHL.  If Matt continues to perform at this level, he will make Team Canada scouts take a hard look at him for the World Junior Championship in Canada this year in front of a home audience and the chance of him turning pro next year is very likely.

8. Dmitri Megalinsky - Dmitri Megalinsky  is low on the Ottawa Senator's depth chart, Dmitri is still a very unpolished player, but the fact that he is playing for Yaroslavl Lokomotiv in the Russian Upper League can only help him out.  The potential is there, but he is still a ways away from making the jump overseas to North America.  Dmitri is 6'2" in 212 lbs. and one step to making the jump would be for him to start using his body to his advantage.