The new lightning players

By TOM JONES

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 27, 1999

DAN CLOUTIER

Acquired from Rangers for No. 1 pick POSITION: Goalie.

BORN: April 22, 1976, Mont-Laurier, Quebec.

HT/WT: 6-1, 182.

BACKGROUND: Drafted 26th overall by Rangers in 1994. Played parts of four seasons with Sault Ste. Marie of Ontario Hockey League.

NHL CAREER: Debuted in 1997-98, playing in 12 games with 4-5-1 record, 2.50 GAA. This season appeared in 22 games, with 6-8-3 record, 2.68 GAA and .914 save percentage.

THE LOWDOWN: Most scouts believe Cloutier will be a No. 1 goaltender in the NHL. He might not be an elite goalie, but he could be in that next tier, along the lines of Felix Potvin or John Vanbiesbrouck. Very feisty..

NIKLAS SUNDSTROM

Acquired from Rangers for No. 1 pick POSITION: Right wing.

BORN: June 6, 1975, Ornskoldsvik, Sweden.

HT/WT: 6-0, 185.

BACKGROUND: Drafted eighth overall by Rangers in 1993.

NHL CAREER: Scored nine goals with 12 assists in 82 games as a rookie in 1995-96. Over next two seasons had 43 goals and 56 assists in 152 games. This season scored 13 goals with 30 assists in 81 games.

THE LOWDOWN: Hard worker who is well-respected and well-liked among teammates. Wayne Gretzky asked that Sundstrom be put on his line this season. Solid in his own end. Can kill penalties and has a knack for scoring. Not very physical but doesn't avoid contact.

SHELDON KEEFE

Second round, No. 47 overall POSITION: Right wing.

TEAM/LEAGUE: Barrie (OHL).

BIRTHDATE: Sept. 17, 1980.

HT/WT: 5-10, 176.

THE LOWDOWN: Ranked 26th among North Americans by Central Scouting. Excellent skater and prolific goal scorer (51 goals in 66 games; 65 assists). Feisty. Works hard every shift. Mentally tough. Central Scouting says, "the type of player an opponent hates to play against, but would love to have as a teammate." Patterns himself after Colorado fireplug Theoren Fleury.

EVGENY KONSTANTINOV

Third round, No. 67 overall POSITION: Goalie

TEAM/LEAGUE: Ak-Bars (Russia).

BIRTHDATE: March 29, 1981.

HT/WT: 6-0, 167.

THE LOWDOWN: Ranked 26th overall by The Hockey News and the No. 1 goalie coming out of Europe by Central Scouting. Referred to as the next Nikolai Khabibulin. Primarily a stand-up goalie. Gives up few rebounds. Quick glove hand. BRETT SCHEFFELMAIER

Third round, No. 75 overall POSITION: Defense.

TEAM/LEAGUE: Medicine Hat (WHL).

BIRTHDATE: March 31, 1981.

HT/WT: 6-4, 200.

THE LOWDOWN: Ranked 51st by Central Scouting. A defensive defenseman who stays calm in his zone and makes the safe play. Long reach. Very effective clearing out the front of his net and likes to go for the big, punishing hit in the corners. Needs to improve skating.

JIMMIE OLVESTAD

Third round, No. 88 overall POSITION: Left wing.

TEAM/LEAGUE: Djurgarden (Sweden).

BIRTHDATE: Feb. 16, 1980.

HT/WT: 6-1, 194.

THE LOWDOWN: Had only two goals and four assists in 42 games but was a junior-age player on a senior men's professional team. Lightning head scout Don Murdoch compares him with Ottawa defensive specialist Magnus Arvedsson. Projected to be a third-line player.

KASPARS ASHTASHENKO

Fifth round, No. 127 overall POSITION: Defense.

TEAM/LEAGUE: Cincinnati (IHL).

BIRTHDATE: Feb. 7, 1975.

HT/WT: 6-2, 183.

THE LOWDOWN: Don't be surprised if this Russian-born defenseman plays for the Lightning next season, even if only on a part-time, fill-in basis. Okay, he had only three goals and 11 assists in 74 games with the Cyclones, but check this out: 166 penalty minutes. He's tough, nasty, mean and might be the hulking physical presence the Lightning could use.

MICHAL LANICEK

Fifth round, No. 148 overall POSITION: Goalie.

TEAM/LEAGUE: Slavia Praha (Czech Republic).

BIRTHDATE: July 6, 1981.

HT/WT: 6-1, 172.

THE LOWDOWN: Holding true to its word to stock up on goalies, the Lightning took one of the top two out of the Czech Republic. Lanicek had an impressive 2.16 GAA in 43 games. Then again, he was in a Czech junior league. Not a bad gamble at No. 148.

FEDOR FEDOROV

Sixth round, No. 182 overall POSITION: Center.

TEAM/LEAGUE: Port Huron (United Hockey League).

BIRTHDATE: June 11, 1981.

HT/WT: 6-3, 187.

THE LOWDOWN: Yep, he's the brother of Detroit star Sergei Fedorov. Apparently, though, Sergei used up most of the family's hockey talent. Fedor is a project at best. He couldn't make it with Windsor of the OHL, so he ended up in the UHL (two goals, five assists in 42 games).

IVAN RACHUNEK

Seventh round, No. 187 overall POSITION: Left wing.

TEAM/LEAGUE: Zlin (Czech Republic).

BIRTHDATE: July 6, 1981.

HT/WT: 5-10, 172.

THE LOWDOWN: Impressive scorer at junior level with 37 goals and 24 assists in 40 games. ERRIKI RAJAMAKI

Eighth round, No. 216 overall POSITION: Forward.

TEAM/LEAGUE: HIFK Helsinki (Finland).

BIRTHDATE: Oct. 30, 1978.

HT/WT: 6-2, 205.

THE LOWDOWN: Played so well on a Finnish junior team that he was bumped up for the final 14 games of the top senior league. Plans to play college hockey in the United States next season.

MIKKO KUPARINEN

Ninth round, No. 244 overall POSITION: Defense.

TEAM/LEAGUE: Grand Rapids (IHL).

BIRTHDATE: March 20, 1977.

HT/WT: 6-3, 211.

THE LOWDOWN: A bit older than most draftees but adds depth to the organization. Probably will spend most of his time in the minors.

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