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Lightning draft picks
By TOM JONES
Published July 31, 2005
VLADIMIR MIHALIK
ROUND: First, 30th overall.
POSITION: Defense.
TEAM: Presov Jr. (Slovakia).
2004-05 STATS: 23 games, six goals, 10 assists.
HT./WT.: 6-7; 216.
BORN: Jan. 29, 1987, Presov, Slovakia.
COMMENTS: Ranked 12th among European skaters by Central Scouting. Called a giant on skates. Physical, but some scouts insist he needs to become even more physical. Moves well for his size. Handles puck well. Takes advantage of long reach. Improved greatly during 2004-05 season.
RADEK SMOLENAK
ROUND: Third, 73rd overall.
POSITION: Left wing.
TEAM: Kingston (Ontario Hockey League).
2004-05 STATS: 67 games, 32 goals, 28 assists.
HT./WT.: 6-2; 180.
BORN: Dec. 3, 1986, Prague, Czech Republic.
COMMENTS: Ranked 34th among North American skaters. Good two-way player. Skating is his best asset. Good balance in traffic but best when using his speed to get around opponents. Not afraid to go to the net to make a play.
CHRIS LAWRENCE
ROUND: Third, 89th overall.
POSITION: Center.
TEAM: Sault Ste. Marie (OHL).
2004-05 STATS: 68 games, 11 goals, 40 assists.
HT./WT.: 6-4; 199.
BORN: Feb. 5, 1987, Toronto.
COMMENTS: Ranked 26th among North American skaters at midseason but dropped to 38th. Big, but doesn't use his size. Good playmaker, but not known for going to the net. Heavy wrist shot.
MAREK BARTANUS
ROUND: Fourth, 92nd overall.
POSITION: Right wing.
TEAM: Kosice (Slovakia). 2004-05 STATS: 34 games, 14 goals, 14 assists.
HT./WT.: 6-3; 194.
BORN: Feb. 13, 1987, Liptovsky Mikulus, Slovakia.
COMMENTS: Ranked 16th among European skaters. More of a hard worker than finesse player, but has good shot and skates well. Good passer who receives passes well.
BLAIR JONES
ROUND: Fourth, 102nd overall.
POSITION: Center.
TEAM: Moose Jaw (Western Hockey League). 2004-05 STATS: 68 games, 14 goals, 36 assists.
HT./WT.: 6-2; 193.
BORN: Sept. 27, 1986, Central Butte, Saskatchewan.
COMMENTS: Ranked 33rd among North American skaters. Good two-way player who is excellent on faceoffs. Good shot, but tends to look for the perfect pass instead of shooting. Fast skater and good at beating defensemen, especially coming out of the corners.
STANISLAV LASCEK
ROUND: Fifth, 133rd overall.
POSITION: Right wing.
TEAM: Chicoutimi (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League).
2004-05 STATS: 53 games, 18 goals, 72 assists.
HT./WT.: 6-0; 195.
BORN: Jan. 17, 1986, Martin, Slovakia.
COMMENTS: Finished sixth in scoring in the QMJHL.
MAREK KVAPIL
ROUND: Sixth, 163rd overall.
POSITION: Right wing.
TEAM: Saginaw (OHL).
2004-05 STATS: 53 games, 25 goals, 37 assists.
HT./WT.: 5-11; 172.
BORN: Jan. 5, 1985, Ilava, Slovakia.
COMMENTS: Team's leading scorer. OHL rookie of the month twice last season.
KEVIN BEECH
ROUND: Sixth, 165th overall.
POSITION: Goalie.
TEAM: Sudbury (OHL).
2004-05 STATS: 9-9-2, 2.65 GAA, .912 save percentage.
HT./WT.: 6-4; 168.
BORN: Sept. 23, 1986, London, Ontario.
2004-05 STATS: Ranked 25th among North American goalies. Struggled at start of season (0-7, 4.87 goals-against average at Christmas), but went 9-2-2 after that and lowered his goals-against average by more than two goals.
JOHN WESSBECKER
ROUND: Seventh, 225th overall.
POSITION: Defense.
TEAM: The Blake School (Minnesota).
2004-05 STATS: 26 games, six goals, 16 assists.
HT./WT.: 6-1; 180.
BORN: Sept. 15, 1986, Victoria, Minn.
COMMENTS: Ranked 221st among North American skaters. Will play at UMass-Amherst next season.
[Last modified July 31, 2005, 01:32:21]
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