Islanders Draft Recap
June 26th, 2007 by murph
From NewYorkIslanders.com, here’s a quick summary of the Islanders draft picks from last weekend’s NHL Entry Draft. The Isles stocked up on the blue line, selecting 3 defensemen with their 5 picks.
From the Freddy Meyer/Alexei Zhitnik trade, the Islanders had the option of taking a 3rd round pick from Philadelphia this draft or next year. Since they had no first or second round picks, the Islanders elected to take that conditional pick this year and made their first selection of the draft at #61 overall.
With the 61st overall pick, the Islanders selected the fast-skating defenseman Mark Katic out of the OHL’s Sarnia Sting. In 68 games with Sarnia in 2006-07, Katic was 5-35-40 along with a +8 rating.
His vitals:
Height: 5.11
Weight: 185
Birthdate: 1989-05-09
Hometown: Porcupine, ON
With the 76th selection, the Islanders chose Lincoln Stars forward Jason Gregoire in the third round. Playing in his first season in the USHL, Gregoire posted totals of 16-20-36 in only 32 games. His +28 rating was first on the team during the regular season. Gregoire led the team with four goals in the 2007 playoffs.
Vitals:
Position: Forward
Shoots: Left
Height: 5′11″
Weight: 175
Date of Birth: 2-24-89
Home Town: Winnipeg, Manitoba
The Islanders selected Max Gratchev in the fourth round – 106th overall – in the 2007 Entry Draft. During the 2006-07 season, Gratchev led Rimouski of the QMJHL in goals (35), points (77) and was tied for first in assists with 42.
Born in Novosibirsk, Russia, Gratchev was raised by his father, who played pro hockey in Russia. At a young age, Gratchev moved to North America to continue playing hockey.
Vitals:
Position: LW
Height : 5′11″
Weight : 198 lbs
Shoots: Left
Birth date : 1988-09-26
Birth place : Novosibirsk, Russia
In the sixth round of the 2007 Entry Draft, the Islanders selected defenseman Blake Kessel with the 166th pick. Brother to Boston Bruins forward Phil Kessel, Blake skated with Waterloo of the USHL during the
2006-07 season.In 59 games with Waterloo, Blake was 11-27-38, while leading the defense corps in goals, assists and points. Kessel finished the season a +12 and with 24 power play points.
Vitals:
Birthday: Apr 13, 1989
Hometown: Verona, WI
Position: D
Height: 6-2
Weight: 210
With the team’s final selection, the Islanders chose defenseman Simon Lacroix in the seventh round – 196th overall. As a member of Shawinigan of the QMJHL, Lacroix led the defense with 11 goals, 27 assists and 38 points. His eight power play goals and two game-winners were tied for third on the team.
Vitals:
Born: 1989-05-29
Height: 6′02″
Weight: 180 lbs
Birthplace: Orléans, ON
