INSIDE HOCKEY

I will admit that as boring as draft day can be for most people, I actually enjoy watching the draft each year. The one part that stands out more than anything for me is the moment following the young player’s name being called out by the team. I love watching the expression on the kid’s face and seeing their parents beaming with pride and crying from all the joy of seeing their son drafted into the NHL. That is one of the most beautiful things about draft day - a dream being realized.

I admit, I do get a little choked up each time they call someone’s name. On Friday night, the Devils were slated to pick 21st, but traded down a couple of times to pick 24th, selecting Swedish Left Winger, Mattias Tedenby, in the first round. Eighteen-year-old Tedenby was ranked third amongst European players by Central Scouting. He played in Sweden’s elite league, HV 71, and was a key player on Sweden’s Under-18 team at the IIHF World Championships.

Other selections by the Devils were all Canadian born players, with the exception of one American player. Two of the nine draftees will be heading to the University of Michigan in the fall of 2008. Here are the New Jersey Devils’ 2008 draft picks:

Round 2 - #52: Brandon Burlon, Defenseman
The two-way blueliner, originally from Toronto, will be attending the University of Michigan in the fall of 2008. He lead the St. Michael's Buzzers Jr. A team to an astounding record for most wins (43), points (88) and fewest losses (4), winning the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League regular-season title in 2007-08.

Round 2 - #54: Patrice Cormier, Center
The New Brunswick native, who models his style to that of Todd Bertuzzi, collected 18 goals and 23 assists in 51 games with Rimouski (QMJHL).

Round 3 – #82: Adam Henrique, Center
The Ontario native, who models his game to Mike Modano’s play, posted 20 goals and 24 assists with Windsor (OHL) in 2007-08, his second straight 44-point season.

Round 4 - #112: Matt Delahey, Defenseman
Originally from Saskatchewan, the young defenseman models his game after two of his favorite NHL players and 2008 Stanley Cup champions, Chris Chelios and Nicklas Lidstrom. He tallied 3 goals and 16 assists with Regina (WHL) in 2007-08, the most productive of his four seasons.

Round 5 - #142: Kory Nagy, Left Wing
The Ontario native spent the last three seasons with Oshawa (OHL). He tallied five goals and 12 assists for 17 points in 57 games last season. He was unranked by Central Scouting.

Round 6 - #172: David Wohlberg, Center
The Michigan native will be heading to the University of Michigan in the fall of 2008. He tallied 14 goals and 11 assists in 53 games with the Under-18 team for the National Team Development Program in 2007-08.

Round 7 - #202: Harry Young, Defenseman
This Ontario native blueliner spent the last two seasons in Windsor (OHL) following two campaigns with Guelph (OHL), where he notched two goals and 12 assists in 68 games, along with 155 PIMs.

Round 7 - #205: Jean-Sebastien Berube, Left Wing
This Quebec native tallied 12 goals and 12 assists along with 118 PIMs in 64 games.

Stat Source: http://devils.nhl.com