Not since the dark days of covid has the CCHL draft preceded the NHL, but due to scheduling conflicts here we are again. Back in 2020 the Loons were able to hit some homeruns on the "Wisborg rating scale." The Donuts wrote a blog seeing how close their drafting was to the NHL's, this is known as the Wisborg scale.
In 2020 the Loons had 31 draft picks compared to only 9 in 2024. After a couple draft day trades another 2 players were added that we will throw in. So lets take a look at this year's draft class.
1.3 Tij Iginla : CCHL (3)/ NHL (6) gives us a Wisborg rating of +3 Tij's dad Jerome was one of my favorite players as a kid and Tij was someone we were pining over to have on the Loons. However, Ryan Leonard was someone we like even more and a trade was worked out with the Crawdads. We wish Tij well and maybe our paths might cross again one day. (+3)
1.7 Cole Eiserman : CCHL (7)/ NHL: (20) - +13 This was not a Loon's draft pick but everyone knew that he was coveted by us. A masshole that scores at a record pace. Cole began the year challenging for the top spot in the draft but scouts started raising concerns about Cole's all around game. We are counting that when you can shoot the way he can - that is all the program asked of Cole. He will head off to BU in the fall and we have faith that Eiserman will take his game to a new level. If not he will follow the Wahlstrom footsteps. Not our pick so not taking the hit on the Wisborg Scale.
1.10 Zeev Buium : CCHL (10)/ NHL (13) - WR +3 The Loons had pick 11 and of course Zeev went the pick before. Zeev caught our eye during the juniors tournament. He was dominant at both ends of the ice, and then during the frozen four he led Denver to a national championship as a freshman. Zeev's skating has been compared to Makar and has a high hockey IQ. Scouts have called him the most well rounded defensemen in the draft. (+6)
1.11 Sam DIckinson : 11/11 - 0 After talking to the Nugget's GM, we were informed that Sam was their second choice and if we were to take Sam a deal could likely be made for Zeev. It all worked out in the end, Val D'or got a top pairing dman. (+6)
2.5 Teddy Stiga; 29/55 +26 No one in this draft had just astronomical development as Stiga. Prior to this year he was considered lucky to go in the 7th round, but all Teddy did was show is determined to be a star. Every scout we spoke with raved about his non stop motor, his high hockey IQ and has the ability to drive his line from the wing. The doubts about Teddy are due to his size at 5'10'' and 175. We are counting on this Masshole's compete level to overcome those missing couple of inches. (+32)
3.2 EJ Emery: 50/30 -20 We can't take credit for this pick since we brought EJ over in the Eiserman trade. EJ projects as a shutdown defender that is an excellent skater. Likely someone that will be paired with an offensive dman and plays big PK minutes.
4.11 Torry Pitner: 83/185 +102 We had a scout really sell us on Torry but NHL scouts obviously did not feel the same. Torry will head to Denver U to try and prove people wrong. (+134)
5.5 Blake Montgomery: 101/117 +16 Blake went undrafted his first year eligible but saw his game take off as an over-ager. Blake is known for his skating combined with his 6'4'' frame makes him an intriguing prospect. Headed to Wisconsin next year. (+150)
6.5 Max Plante: 125/47 -78 Our biggest hit according to the Wisborg scale. Max is a second generation NHLer known for his playmaking abilities. He will head to Minnesota Deluth in the fall and if all goes right then Detroit in a few years down the road. (+72)
7.15 James Reeder 159/198 +39 Inconsistency is what we heard over and over from out scouts on Reeder. Some nights he looked like first round talent and other games he looked like he could be playing beer league on Friday nights with me. The talent outweighs the risk, especially at pick 159. Reeder will join Pitner and maybe Buium at Denver U were he can show he is a steal. (+111)
10.20 Thatcher Bernstein 236/ NA We did not have any hope of Thatcher being drafted this year. Our best hope is that this Masshole heads to Harvard in the fall and one day cracks the NHL as a free agent signing. Worse case we get to watch him in the Beanpot for the next 4 years .
Four years ago we came out of that covid draft with an overall Wisborg rating of an amazing -765 while this year a +111. The elimination of international scouts really affected our score.
Loon top 10 prospects
1. Will Smith C Sharks
2. Ryan Leonard RW Capitals
3. Zeev Buium D Wild
4. Cole Eiserman LW Islanders
5. Drew Commesso G Blackhawks
6. Alex Jefferies LW Islanders
7. Brandon Bussi G Bruins
8. Teddy Stiga LW Predators
9. EJ Emery D Rangers
10. Sean Farrell C Canadiens
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