The lastest International Scouting Services' ranking of top draft-eligible prospects for the NHL's 2008 Entry Draft, listed DU recruit Joe Colborne as the 23rd top prospect.Colborne had been ranked 29th or 30th in most of the I.S.S. Rankings this season, so the latest rankings released on Apil 15th represents a move up the list.
International Scouting Services ranks players from all over the world and is used by NHL teams to judge talent. ISS evaluates, analyzes and ranks players aged 16, 17 & 18 years old. The latest ranking virtually assures that Colborne will be selected in the First Round of the 2008 NHL draft held in June in Ottawa, Canada.
16 comments:
Will be really surprised to see him in a Pio unifrom next season given the heavy-handedness of NHL teams as of late. If he does come he will likely be a one and done (i.e. Turris) but that would be better than nothing.
I think he'll stay at least one year and perhaps two, depending on who drafts him. Blake Wheeler at Minnesota is a similar player to Coloborne - a big player who needs ome time to grow into his body.
Highly doubtful Colborne isn't at DU for at least one year. He's a smart kid and knows that playing in the rugged WCHA will only help his development. Plus he can put on a few pounds and get stronger.
Speaking of players leaving early, any news on Bozak and his plans? What's the latest rumor?
No new rumors. NHL playoffs and the draft are consuming NHL management.
If anything happens it will be over the summer.
I'll go with its 60-40 he comes back.
I hope that Colborne has a better experience than Wheeler has had at Minny. Actually Colborne reminds me more of Turris rather than Wheeler but Turris was BCHL and Colborne is AJHL which is (arguably) a bit weaker league.
While Wheeler has overall played fairly solid hockey for the Gophers, he has been very inconsistent and has really not helped himself a great deal. Good buddy & eventual teammate Mueller on the other hand went the Dub route, had a great rookie season, and will be one of the leagues rising stars. Don't think that he isn't weighing that.
Rugged WCHA? The Dub and the other Canadian Major Junior Leagues are what I would consider "rugged" with a 70+ game schedule and not a 20+ game WCHA season.
Sorry for my ignorance, but what the heck the is 'the Dub'?
Dub = WHL Western Hockey League.
As long as Colborne isn't drafted by the Islanders...we should have him for at least a "full" season :-)
Hey anon 12:21 you sound just like ASAG. Next time don't try to replicate War and Peace but give us the abridged version. Comprende?
Teams like the Rangers, Bruins, Canucks, Devils, and Wild usually like to let their players develop before letting them make the jump. The Rangers especially hence- Hugh Jessiman (bust), Al Montoya, Bob Sanguinetti, Greg Moore, zaba
Wheeler would probably have a much more dominant impact if he were in playing in MJ, since he would be playing against 16-20 year olds and not 19-24 year olds, as he plays against now as a college player.
College hockey also provides more practice time than MJ does so the whole 70 games vs 35 games is not any more 'rugged'. Good players will develop in either route, and see plenty of ice time.
College Hockey players are older and often stronger than MJ players, so the the only really 'rugged' Mj aspect that holds up to scrutiny is the fighting part.
Swami: I have to disgree with your assessment on the ruggedness of CHL vs NCAA hockey. I have attended many, many WHL games (Swift Current, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, all being fairly close) and I have attended more college games than I care to recall. Different type/style of game and different type of player. Younger but bigger, stronger players in the Dub (don't see many under 6'). More grinding, front of net play in the Dub and not the run and gun nature of college hockey.
Fighting? Yeah but his had nothing to do with "ruggedness". The ruggedness comes from having to suit up night after night an bring your "A" game knowing that if you don't you will be a healthy scratch and trade bait.
Different objectives. You play Dub (CHL) because you want to make a career out of playing hockey. You play College hockey for the fun, experience of attending college and being able to play at the highest amatuer level. Some get luck and advance to the NHL but most don't.
Anon 11:43--so what exactly is your point? Colborne chose the NCAA route so he could play hockey in one of the best NCAA conferences and get a solid education at the same time. A lot of talented and very good hockey players are doing that. Check the Frozen Four rosters and you'll find them littered with NHL draft picks. Those guys aren't just playing for fun or the college experience. Doesn't mean it's any better or worse than CHL, it's just a choice players make.
True, most NCAA players won't play in the NHL. Most CHL players won't either. If you look at all of the players in the CHL, how many will end up on NHL rosters? Only a small portion. Between the CHL, European leagues, NCAA etc there is a hell of a lot of competition out there.
Bottom line......the CHL has its own value and merit; so does the NCAA route. There's no one "right" route.
12:46 you misunderstood.
My point is (going back to the initial topic of the thread - see 11:29 another poster) is that Colborne will not likely attend DU for more than 1 season if at all based on the fact that he is for all practical purposes ready for the NHL (he will obviously spend time in the minors first). A player that is in the running or likely to be named Major Junior Player Of The Year is ready.
If he truly wants to play college hockey and get an education more power to him. However, he also risks injury and could possibly lose an immense amount of money as an injured pick. Don't believe for a second that whoever drafts him is not going to put pressure on him to sign and get in their system ASAP - just look at the recent trend.
As for being an NHL draft pick, there is a major difference regarding which round you are chosen and the liklihood that you will ever see ice time in the NHL. As for the CHL versus the NCAA, that is like arguing religion & politics - each side is "right". the CHL used to be the path to the NHL with a few exceptions but now the NCAA (and the USHL pipeline) is producing the same caliber of player. You also mention the rest of the world and you are correct - Sweden has revamped their system and is going to be stronger than ever. The former Soviet states will also continue to gain strength.
Bottom line - as much as I would love to see JC in a Pio uniform next year, hell for 4 years, I don't see it happening.
Colborne is ranked #28 on the final list which was just released. Still within the top 30 which is the cream of the crop.
Of the top 30 only one NCAA player (B.C.) one USHL, one BCHL player, one AJHL player (Colborne) and a couple of Minny high schoolers. Remainder CHL players.
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