[Gnickers87]

fdevji, on Jun 28 2009, 01:57 PM, said:

LINK: http://fdevji.blogsp...-vancouver.html

Oh wow, that would be great if he did move to the Giants.

Thanks again Farhan!

[domshot]

The Giants do a great job developing their players and I expect that Gillis already knew about this and planned it out.

[fdevji]

Gnickers87, on Jun 28 2009, 03:49 PM, said:

Oh wow, that would be great if he did move to the Giants.

Thanks again Farhan!

My pleasure.

[wolfgang puck]

That would be great for his development if he was to join the Giants.

There was an article in the Sun about him and Steven Anthony,here's the bit about Connauton:


One day after feeling they stole a diamond with the 22nd pick of the National Hockey League entry draft, the Vancouver Canucks figure they unearthed some gems in later rounds Saturday in Montreal.

The Canucks addressed an organizational need by drafting three defencemen on Saturday, but general manager Mike Gillis and associate head scout Thomas Gradin were excited about two picks in particular.

With their third-round pick, the Canucks chose Edmonton defenceman Kevin Connauton, a late-bloomer from Western Michigan University who was passed over in last year’s draft.

Gradin said Connauton could become a smaller version of Alex Edler, the mobile, crisp-passing Swede the Canuck scout discovered in a Third Division men’s league prior to the 2004 draft.

“Connauton is a guy who has already played one year of college and is a year older than most guys,” Gradin said.

“He’s a very good skater and his puck-moving abilities are really, really good. He might be the biggest sleeper, even though he was our third pick.”

[LickTheEnvelope]

Ok this pick was the one that kind of caught me off gaurd, but if Connauton comes over and plays/developes with the Giants that would make alot more sense.

His NCAA numbers are very good, even though he's an older pick.

Seems like this is the guy they are pushing to develope locally.

[Thomas Gradin]

Gradin's take:

Quote

Gradin said Connauton could become a smaller version of Alex Edler, the mobile, crisp-passing Swede the Canuck scout discovered in a Third Division men’s league prior to the 2004 draft.

“Connauton is a guy who has already played one year of college and is a year older than most guys,” Gradin said.

“He’s a very good skater and his puck-moving abilities are really, really good. He might be the biggest sleeper, even though he was our third pick.”

Source

Edit: .. Didn't realize someone posted that like two posts above me. Whoops.

This post has been edited by Thomas Gradin: 07 July 2009 - 01:32 PM

[cube`]

Seems like this years draft mainly consisted of "sleepers" and "steals"...all according to various reliable sources as well... let's hope this becomes the norm associated with this organization for the foreseeable future.

[BladesOfSteel]

cube`, on Jul 7 2009, 07:49 PM, said:

Seems like this years draft mainly consisted of "sleepers" and "steals"...all according to various reliable sources as well... let's hope this becomes the norm associated with this organization for the foreseeable future.

Lets hope this is true in the first place

[MrTubesteak]

I do hope the Canucks really push him to join the Giants.
He'll develop far faster than he will playing for a small US college team.

[Skoopie]

fdevji, on Jun 28 2009, 01:57 PM, said:

LINK: http://fdevji.blogsp...-vancouver.html

that article just pumped me up if he joins the giants next year ill definetly be going to more games then

[Pacificgem]

Good reading

[linden_4_life]

My wife's cousin goes to Western Michigan. I'll see if she knows anything about the guy or has ever seen him play.

[Hafizzle]

That would be amazing if he joined the Giants!

[fdevji]

LINK: http://fdevji.blogsp...-report_18.html

Quote

"I've covered WMU hockey for the Kalamazoo Gazette since 2006 and, thus, got to see Connauton play a lot last year. In a word: amazing. Skates like the wind. Hands. Vision. Patience. And he scored a huge goal in overtime of the first round of the CCHA tournament to help WMU win a home playoff series for the first time in 2,346 years. Sure, he's raw in some areas and, at 19, still has a lot to learn about the game. But he seems like a nice kid with an enormous opportunity in front of him." - Rick Shanley, Kalamazoo Gazette

[MGrabner40]

fdevji, on Jul 19 2009, 01:34 AM, said:

LINK: http://fdevji.blogsp...-report_18.html

</I>

Great find farhan, looking forward to seeing how kevin will pan out. BTW what type of game/style does he play like?

[JyrkiBeefLumme]

Interesting to see how he will develop. This was the pick where the Canucks went the most "off the board". Do you see the Canucks wanting him to play junior or stay in the NCAA?

Pros to staying in the NCAA are a shorter schedule will mean more opportunity to put on some bulk (one of his knocks seems to be a slight build), and he will gain experience playing against older players. Con is the Canucks would seem to have a lot less influence and access to a college prospect.
With playing for the Giants, the Canucks would be able to see him play a lot, and keep a closer eye on him. The Giants also have a decent track record with developing young defensemen for the NHL in recent years with the likes of Blum, Franson, Mikkelson, Fistric, Festerling, Mejzaros.

[MrTubesteak]

If I was a betting man, I'd say that the Canucks would love to have him playing for the Giants.

Speaking of which, is there a deadline as to when Connauton has to make a final decision about whether he goes back to school in Colorado or joins the Giants?

[RO8!!]

Sounds like he could be a good pickup I'm looking forward to following his progress, and thanks for the articles Farhan.

[Citizen Erased]

MrTubesteak, on Jul 22 2009, 04:10 AM, said:

If I was a betting man, I'd say that the Canucks would love to have him playing for the Giants.

Speaking of which, is there a deadline as to when Connauton has to make a final decision about whether he goes back to school in Colorado or joins the Giants?

It's funny that you say that because tonight on Sports Talk, Brook Ward mentioned something about Connauton playing for the Giants this season.

[Jermi]

i dont follow the giants much but i know they just picked up sum czech stud d man im wondering if there would be room for him. anyone know?