Combine boosts Anthony's optimism
Published Friday June 26th, 2009
Saint John Sea Dogs forward Steven Anthony won't be at the NHL Entry Draft tonight and Saturday at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
But he'll be following the festivities at home in Halifax.
"If I was (ranked) in the first or second rounds, I'd make the trip up, but I'm rated in the later rounds,'' Anthony said. "It's definitely tough to keep out of your head. I just look at it positively and hope I get picked.''
Anthony's most recent reason for optimism was his participation at a Montreal Canadiens combine that measured physical strength, body fat, flexibility and quickness. The combine also included on-ice drills and an interview.
Sea Dogs defenceman Simon Despres, expected to a first-round pick tonight or an early second-rounder Saturday, also attended the Habs' combine.
"It shows they have an interest and they want to get to know you a bit better,'' said Anthony, declining to name other NHL teams that have contacted him. "I know some teams like me and others don't. That's the way it goes.''
NHL Central Scouting ranks Anthony 184th among North American skaters. As a 17-year-old last season, the 6-foot-1, 205-pounder notched 19 goals and 48 points.
"He would probably be the first one to tell you he was hoping to have a much better draft year than he did,'' said Saint John native Gordie Clark, the director of player personnel for the New York Rangers. "There were periods when he showed flashes of (greatness), but he wasn't consistent, and that's going to hurt him.''
Anthony gained valuable experience by replacing the then-injured Chris Di Domenico in the ADT Canada-Russia Series. Anthony was taken in the first round (10th overall) of the 2007 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Entry Draft and collected 14 points in 55 games with Saint John as a 16-year-old.
"There are different projections with a big guy like this,'' Clark said. "It's going to be all over the place to try to guess (when and if he's drafted).''
All of the uncertainly has brought out different emotions for Anthony.
"I've been excited, anxious and nervous,'' he said. "I definitely watch (the rankings) and I know there are a lot of mock drafts.''
While Anthony acknowledged last season had its share of ups and downs, he's pleased with his overall progress.
"I think the season was OK. I feel my mental game has come a long way.
"I had a few bad games here and there, but I felt my second half was much stronger.''
What that means to NHL teams remains to be seen.
"Drafts are weird sometimes,'' Anthony said. "You just hope it goes your way and a team will take you.''
Sea Dogs head coach Gerard Gallant and associate coach Mike Kelly are scheduled to attend the draft. Aside from watching Despres and Anthony, the two coaches will follow American prep school star Chris Kreider, who was drafted by the Sea Dogs last year.
Kreider, who tallied 55 points in 26 games for Andover (Mass.) Academy, is ranked 24th by The Hockey News Draft Preview. But the 6-foot-2, 201-pound forward could go earlier.
"He's an elite player,'' Clark said. "He could go anywhere from eighth, ninth or 10th or down to around 20th.''
Kreider's agent, Matt Keator, said the player will eventually play for Boston College.
The Sea Dogs will also watch Mike Hoffman and Nicholas Petersen. Both offensive stars were acquired after the season as part of deals that sent Di Domenico to Drummondville and Alex Grant to Shawinigan.
"These players (Hoffman and Petersen) are eligible for the NHL draft and people are speaking of them very highly,'' Kelly said. "We'll let the process work through and see where we end up at the end.''
Meanwhile, Sea Dogs goaltender Karel St. Laurent is ranked 16th on NHL Central Scouting's list of North American goaltenders.
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