Three Rockets Selected By NHL Teams

• A few pleasant surprises for the Kelowna Rockets on NHL draft day. The selection of Tyson Barrie in the 3rd round by Colorado wasn't one of them. It was a given Barrie would be drafted, it was just a matter of what round, two or three. Barrie is just the 4th Rockets players taken by the Av's at the NHL draft. Luke Curtin (5th rd. 1996), Scott Parker (1st rd. 1998) and Kyle Cumiskey (7th rd. 2005).
• For his sake, I am glad the Tampa Bay Lightning never drafted him. While it would have made for a good story (Tyson's dad Len is co-owner of the Lightning), I'd prefer Barrie making his mark at the pro level without someone suggesting his father was the reason he was earning a chance at the NHL. No question Len Barrie has been one of the key reasons why Tyson is the player he is today, but the skilled d-man is mature enough and level headed enough to do things on his own. I'm confident that Tyson Barrie will be just fine developing into a pro player.
• It wouldn't be fair to suggest that Evan Bloodoff was off the radar of NHL scouts heading into this weekends draft, yet his modest offensive totals in his 3rd season in the WHL had you wondering whether teams would be interested enough to use a pick to acquired the playing rights to the Castlegar BC resident. Does he have pro potential? The Phoenix Coyotes think so after picking him in the 6th round. Despite playing at times on the teams fourth line, his ability to close quickly on opposition defenceman and his knack of breaking away from an opponent with lightning speed caught the eye of Coyotes assistant gm Brad Treliving, who made no less than three stops at Prospera Place this past season.
• You have to feel especially happy for Mitchell Callahan. A tryout at Rockets training camp last fall and now he is associated with the NHL's Detroit Red Wings. Callahan is simply a good news story. When the Wings were making their second to last pick at the draft Saturday, they must have been looking for a player with no fear and someone who has a competitive edge. That player is Mitchell Callahan. Callahan led all WHL rookies in fighting majors with 20, and frankly could have had more had the coaching staff not pulled back the reins to contain his enthusiasm to chuck the knuckles. No question Callahan has many rough edges, but the Wings see a player who will go through the wall for his teammates, a trait you simply can't teach. The Wings have a proven track record of making astute moves late in the draft, and with a little time and patience along the way, maybe Callahan can be playing in Motor City someday.
• Congratulations to all three players for being recognized at the NHL draft.