Who are the MLN Ones2Watch Hockey 2008? Players whose careers are warming up, but are not yet positioned for the fast-track into the NHL. Many future players making the FAB50 Hockey 2008 movement and talent rankings debut here. Others are players showing a flash of brilliance, a set of skills coming together, or some promise from the hype of the draft being fulfilled.
Twenty-five players are selected for the O2W list. This year's winners are:
1
Matt Moulson
LW
Los Angeles Kings
Manchester Monarchs
Undrafted out of Cornell, Matt Moulson surprised everyone last year by leading all Manchester scorers. He’s continued to make progress, even getting his first NHL callup by Los Angeles and scoring his first goal. On his birthday, no less.
“It all came together like a fairy tale,” he said.
2
Cory Schneider
G
Vancouver Canucks
Manitoba Moose
Former No. 1 pick of the Canucks, Cory Schneider has a big frame (6-4) and big game experience in two Frozen Four final appearances with Boston College.
3
Alexander Hellstrom
D
St. Louis Blues
Peoria Rivermen
“He reminds me a little bit of Mattias Norstrom, when he first came over here,” said Kevin McDonald, St. Louis’ Assistant General Manager of Alexander Hellstrom.
“They’re fun guys to coach and develop. He wants every hit to be the big hit. You can‘t teach a guy to get as ramped up and enthusiastic as he is. He‘s a top-6 prospect for sure.”
4
Vladimir Sobotka
C
Boston Bruins
Providence Bruins
Very gritty player with a low center of gravity, Sobotka was a sixth round pick in 2006 who has already proved to be steal for the Bruins.
“He’s got a good skill set,” said Boston GM Peter Chiarelli, “but he likes to hit. He’s a powerful little guy. Actually, he’s not so little.”
5
Trevor Lewis
C
Los Angeles Kings
Manchester Monarchs
The second of L.A.‘s two first rounders in 2006, Lewis is learning to be consistent in all three zones. In a talent-rich system, he is still on the outside track working his way in.
