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By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
© St. Petersburg Times, published June 25, 2001
Aaron Lobb
ROUND: 4. OVERALL: 123.
POSITION: Right wing.
HT./WT.: 6-4, 193.
AGE: 18.
HOMETOWN: Brucefield, Ontario.
THE LOWDOWN: The No. 53 North American prospect. ... The only knocks seem to be on his skating, said to be adequate, and his consistency. ... Had 23 goals, 25 assists, 93 penalty minutes in 67 games for London of the OHL.
HEAD SCOUT JAKE GOERTZEN SAID: "I think a very conscientious kid. Will do what it takes to get the job done."
Paul Lynch
ROUND: 5. OVERALL: 138.
POSITION: Defense.
HT./WT.: 6-3, 195.
AGE: 19.
HOMETOWN: Salem, Mass.
THE LOWDOWN: The No. 60 North American prospect. ... Led the Valley Jr. Warriors of the EJHL with 143 penalty minutes in 21 games. ... Needs defensive zone discipline but can punish people in front of the net.
GOERTZEN SAID: "A tough guy."
Art Femenella
ROUND: 6. OVERALL: 188.
POSITION: Defense.
HT./WT.: 6-7, 234.
AGE: 19.
HOMETOWN: New York.
THE LOWDOWN: The No. 113 North American prospect is a fighter. ... Needs work on skating and skills, but the Lightning likes his upside. ... Think Kyle Freadrich.
GOERTZEN SAID: "He's a huge project. I saw him play, and I was absolutely thrilled with the possibilities."
Dennis Packard
ROUND: 7. OVERALL: 219.
POSITION: Left wing.
HT./WT.: 6-5, 214.
AGE: 19.
HOMETOWN: St. Catherines, Ontario.
THE LOWDOWN: The No. 61 North American prospect. ... A rising sophomore at Harvard, he likely will finish school. ... Played for the United States in the 2000 Under-18 World Championships.
GOERTZEN SAID: "He's got size, and he got better and better as the year went on. A pretty good skater with good talent."
Jeremy Van Hoof
ROUND: 7. OVERALL: 222.
POSITION: Defense.
HT./WT.: 6-2, 200.
AGE: 19.
HOMETOWN: Lindsay, Ontario.
THE LOWDOWN: A second-round pick of the Penguins in 1999 but was not signed. ... A stay-at-home defenseman who lacks mobility.
GOERTZEN SAID: "He's an intriguing guy. He's not real mobile or agile, but he gets by with his skating."
Jean-Francois Soucy
ROUND: 8. OVERALL: 252.
POSITION: Center.
HT./WT.: 6-3, 180.
AGE: 18.
HOMETOWN: Riviere Du Loup, Quebec.
THE LOWDOWN: Goertzen called him one of the most talented players in the draft. ... May have dropped because of inconsistent play. ... An excellent skater.
GOERTZEN SAID: "Pure talent. He has magnetic skating. You are riveted to him when he skates."
Dimitri Bezrukov
ROUND: 8. OVERALL: 259.
POSITION: Left wing.
HT./WT.: 6-3, 196.
AGE: 23.
HOMETOWN: Tataria, Russia.
THE LOWDOWN: High talent level and a good skater. ... Smart on the ice. ... Played in Russian Elite League.
GOERTZEN SAID: "(One Russian scout) called him the best left winger in the Elite League available for the draft."
Vitali Smolianinov
ROUND: 9. OVERALL: 261.
POSITION: Center.
HT./WT.: 6-3, 207.
AGE: 17.
HOME: Russia.
THE LOWDOWN: Played in Russian Elite League. ... Good hands. ... Great size. ... Good vision and playmaking skills, considering his age.
GOERTZEN SAID: "He didn't look out of place (on the first line of a showcase tournament). He made some nice plays. He skated pretty good."
Ilya Solarev
ROUND: 9. OVERALL: 281.
POSITION: Left wing.
HT./WT.: 6-3, 176.
AGE: 18.
HOME: Russia.
THE LOWDOWN: Played in the Russian Elite League. ... Good work ethic. ... Good on his skates. ... Smallest player of the 14 Tampa Bay drafted.
GOERTZEN SAID: "I think he's the most serious kid I've talked to about hockey and what his goals are."
Henrik Bergfors
ROUND: 9. OVERALL: 289.
POSITION: Defense.
HT./WT.: 6-4, 225.
AGE: 19.
HOMETOWN: Sodertalje, Sweden.
THE LOWDOWN: Last player taken in the draft. ... Lightning wanted to pick him last year, but he did not opt in. ... Size is his most important attribute. ... A shot-blocker.
GOERTZEN SAID: "(Sodertalje) is not a great place for him to play (in terms of exposure), but we made a point of watching him." -- Compiled by Damian Cristodero.