Hockey's Future: The Hockey Prospects Resource (Covering the WHL, QMJHL,AHL, O... Page 1 of 3 Custom NHL Hockey Jerseys 04 World Cup Of Hockey In Stock Now Fan Friendly Prices & Great Service Ads by Goooooogle September 27, 2004 Your Navigational Menu International Scouting Service's preliminary 10 prospects for 2005 Written by Int'l Scouting Services on 09/24/2004 Hockey's Future is pleased to have International Scouting Services (ISS) back in the fold for another sea has quickly gained a solid reputation throughout the hockey community for the fine scouting work that the are proud to be able to present to our readers some of the fine scouting work that this organization does. With a new season now upon us (with one glaring exception), ISS has put together their preliminary list o prospects for the 2005 NHL Draft, which is presented below. 1. Sidney Crosby What can we say that already hasn’t been said about this 17-year-old phenom? Last season, he shattere year-old record for points by a 16-year-old and scored more points than Mike Bossy, Brad Richards, Vinc Lecavalier or Mario Lemieux did at the same age in the QMJHL. Crosby possesses Gretzky-like vision an skills to go with his excellent skating ability, balance, speed, agility and strength. He is a scoring threat wh is on the ice, and knows where his teammates are at all times. His impressive package of skills allows Cr control the play, while his excellent hand/eye coordination and goal-scorer's touch make him an offensive every time he hits the ice. Without question, Crosby is a totally dominant player who can burn you any nu ways. No other prospect in this draft can match his ability to dominate the game, which is why we see him sure-fire first overall pick in the NHL in 2005. 2. Gilbert Brule Explosive! This kid is an incredible offensive talent. From North Vancouver, Brule was the Vancouver Gia overall pick in the 2001 WHL bantam draft. According to western scouts for ISS, Brule can best be descri word- "winner". Brule displays an uncanny will to win at all times and possesses great leadership qualities instincts, anticipation and vision are tremendous, and he has the ability to lift people out of their seats. So http://www.hockeysfuture.com/article.php?sid=7215&mode=threaded&order=0 27. 9. 2004 Hockey's Future: The Hockey Prospects Resource (Covering the WHL, QMJHL,AHL, O... Page 2 of 3 on-ice success can be attributed to his off-ice preparation and desire to be the best. Despite still being so a bantamweight -- Brule can't be more than 180 pounds soaking wet -- he doesn't shy away from contact checks like a 220-pounder and regularly defends himself. Brule can change the pace of a game with an e rush or a crunching hit. 3. Jakub Kindl Highly touted Jakub Kindl has the makings of an all-around star along the blue line. Kindl moves very we man and owns excellent offensive potential. The young Czech has both the imposing size and excellent s ability that scouts love. He has the capability to run the power play and displays plenty of offensive streng season, as a member of Pardubice (Czech Jr.), Kindl picked up 4 goals and added 14 assists in 48 game He also a turned in a +5 plus/minus rating and notched 108 penalty minutes. Kindl skates and moves the well. In spite of his youth, Kindl is very mature, and has benefited greatly from the experience of playing a opponents two and three years older. Kindl will play for the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL this season, w help him adapt quickly to the North American game. 4. Jack Johnson Johnson is a Blue Chip defensive prospect, as well as the highest rated U.S.-born prospect available for NHL Draft. The smooth skating, sure-handed offensive defenseman keeps his cool under pressure, with strengths being his ability to settle the play down, make consistent outlet passes and find his open option plays on both the power play and penalty-killing units, with his hard, accurate shot from the point coming with the man advantage. When needed, Johnson can use his offensive instincts to jump into the play, wh consistently makes wise decisions in either gaining the blue line or shooting the puck into the offensive zo Johnson is very dangerous on the power play, as he combines his skill with great lateral movement with o the puck. Overall, Johnson is very confident in his offensive ability, and has the physical defensive game discipline to become a top defenseman in the NHL. He will play for the USNTDP this season, then move University of Michigan in 2005. 5. Ryan O’Marra We love this kid and expect him to have a breakout year. O'Marra, a 17-year-old native of Mississauga, O natural goal-scoring instincts and may possess the best shot in the draft. Last season, O’Marra had 16 go assists for 32 points in 63 regular season games for the OHL’s Erie Otters. O’Marra elevated his game in playoffs, which demonstrates that he has the ability to rise to the occasion. He has the ability to find a sea open for a laser shot and can score goals from anywhere in the offensive zone. O’Marra uses his size an effectively. He plays an aggressive and physical game, works effectively in the corners, finishes his chec good puck control at full speed, drives the net for rebounds and demonstrates good hands in close. O’Ma good skater with a nice, long stride, good agility, speed, strength and balance. He plays well in both ends and is a hard worker. O’Marra has the potential to be a team leader, and is overall a very talented player. 6. Guillaume Latendresse Left winger Guillaume Latendresse is another QMJHL product in the ISS top 10. Latendresse has a great combination of size and shooting ability to go along with a decent mean streak. He already has tremendo the wing position, and figures on getting even bigger and stronger down the road. Latendresse is already a two-way forward and displays excellent versatility up front. He isn't shy about using the body and he lov the net. The potential prototypical power winger plays a rugged game, dominates below the circles, and h hands in close. Latendresse is more of a sniper than a playmaker, possessing an excellent shot with a qu The Drummondville Voltigeurs star will miss the start of the season while recovering from shoulder surge should be ready for action by the end of September. 7. Marek Zagrapan Slovakia native Marek Zagrapan could be the wild card of the 2005 NHL Draft. While there’s no denying t playmaking center’s offensive capabilities, scouts are eager to see how he adapts to the North American game. Zagrapan has worked hard to improve his all-around game over the last couple of years, but scout http://www.hockeysfuture.com/article.php?sid=7215&mode=threaded&order=0 27. 9. 2004 Hockey's Future: The Hockey Prospects Resource (Covering the WHL, QMJHL,AHL, O... Page 3 of 3 to see him play with a little more grit. He possesses tremendous offensive potential, and is a deceptively with above-average hockey sense. Zagrapan has tremendous vision and creativity, attributes that are aid patience with the puck and his elusiveness. He has the potential to rack up impressive point totals. A mea Zagrapan’s talent is the fact that he earned a promotion to the Zlin (CZE) senior team as a 16-year-old. T Slovak loves to dangle, and is arguably one of the most skilled players available in the 2005 draft. To imp chances of making the NHL, Zagrapan needs to get stronger to better handle the more physical defender level. 8. Chris Durand Chris Durand is extremely industrious, tough and mostly disciplined. He can score big goals, plays a stro game, and possesses excellent leadership skills. Durand was easily the best player at the World U-17 Ch December for team Western. Currently playing for Seattle in the Western Hockey League, Durand is a gr pro prospect and a future leader for the Thunderbirds. After his strong performance at the World U-17, Du returned to Seattle with renewed confidence and started to contribute offensively on a regular basis. Dura skilled center with good size, speed and strength, as well as a hard, quick wrist shot. He is considered to a playmaker than a goal scorer, with the smarts and puck skills to protect the puck while trying to create o chances. 9. Michael Blunden Mike Blunden has imposing size and a physical dimension scouts look for. He has excellent strength and is very hard to knock off of the puck. Blunden possesses good speed and hands for a player with his size likes to create offense off the rush. Blunden uses his size very effectively, especially on the power play. L Blunden to elevate his offensive game to another level in 2004-05. He plays with plenty of grit along the b drives to the net with authority, and projects to be a NHL power forward. Blunden’s size allows him the op gain space while continuing to lean on opposing players. Blunden’s leadership skills have already been re as he was named Alternate Captain of the 2003-04 edition of the Erie Otters. The hulking youngster is cu recovering from a back injury, but is on schedule to be in the Otters opening day line-up.