Sooner than later the NWJHL will have its season 10 entry draft. Today prospect Dave Smith is here to provide his last open press conference before the draft.



I will answer some questions from the press first and then I will open the floor to General Managers of NWJHL/SHL teams and their respective scouts if they should have any questions. If there are other questions that would like to be asked by other members of the organization they too can ask.

Bob McKenzie of TSN: Dave the first overall is believed to be none other than stud defenceman Roman Schultz, in a mock draft you have him going second... Can you tell us why you think he could go second as a surprise to many who see him as a lock for first overall?

Let me explain why I went with Schultz going second. Montreal has 2 solid defencemen coming back which should project to be Montreal’s top defensive pairing. With the draft order as it is now and that there are some great defencemen in this draft why not pick what is a major need in the draft. Donini is a unique type player in this draft so if Montreal was going for their need first it would be logical to pick him first. This is nothing against Schultz... just as of now does it make sense... Could the attention seeking Schultz be able to handle playing a second defence pairing and be out of the spotlight with some of the guys being returned from their SHL team? I’m not so sure that is the only reason why I would consider this.

Darren Dreger of TSN: So you think Schultz should technically go first overall but because of team needs the Impact might pass on him. If you were the GM of the Impact what would you possibly consider doing?

I might actually considering trading down if I was the GM of the Impact. Swap the first overall pick for the 2nd overall pick to draft Donini while picking up another pick to pick up a defencemen that could go in the 2nd round or deeper in the draft since there is a lot of talent in this draft and the guys coming from 3rd and beyond you just never know who will surprise us... Would be worth a good gamble and in the end Montreal could most definitely win since they have 2 first round picks and an early second, if they could add in another pick to this draft with the talent they have coming back... watch out they could easily be the top team in the NWJHL this year.

Doug MacLean from SportsNet: Interesting idea about what you think the Impact might do... Where were you when I was the General Manager of the Blue Jackets!

No comment... next question please!

Aaron Ward from TSN: Both myself and Jman projected you to go 4th overall in the NWJHL draft landing in Vancouver... what do you think about the idea of playing in Vancouver?

Vancouver is a beautiful city and a place where I would most definitely consider playing for if I was drafted by the Whalers. I could be a player that could help them move forward with my two-way game. It could be one heck of a fit to be honest but I must wait to see what the General Managers decide on draft day.

Doug MacLean from SportsNet: Does that mean they contacted you?

Security!!!

Get this idiot out of here he does not belong... I thought I was doing an interview with intelligent people of hockey how did he get here? But at this point in time I do not want to comment about which teams have contacted me. My advisors from the Ferrari Group have told me I should not comment on this matter out of professionalism.

That appears to be all the questions from the press today.... If there are any General Managers, Scouts, and other members of the NWJHL and SHL organizations they too can ask questions. I will be making myself available for further questions until draft day which then you will see me reflect on the draft at a later day. Thank you!

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Word: 710 / Pictures: 5 // Wanted to code the images with text to the right of them but for some reason the coding I tried to use didn't work here.. so it looks bad :(

C - Kenji Yoshimura   Kenji Yoshimura Updates

Dave Smith | 77 | | D | LA Panthers | Vancouver Whalers | Hall of Fame
Asbjørn Alexandersen | 47 | RW | Texas Renegades  | Detroit Falcons
Alek Koivu | 71 | D | Winnipeg Jets | Colorado Mammoths
Kenji Yoshimura | 88 | C | Los Angeles Panthers | Anchorage Armada

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Credit to Wasty and Steelhead for the sigs - thanks dudes!

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With the draft to be Monday @ 7:30pm.... I will be making myself available by this thread or private messages to GMs/Scouts if they would like to contact me and ask me some further questions.... Good luck to everyone this year.... The GMs got a lot of solid options for this years draft.

Hopefully we see another blockbuster deal soon... would really make things crazy interesting

C - Kenji Yoshimura   Kenji Yoshimura Updates

Dave Smith | 77 | | D | LA Panthers | Vancouver Whalers | Hall of Fame
Asbjørn Alexandersen | 47 | RW | Texas Renegades  | Detroit Falcons
Alek Koivu | 71 | D | Winnipeg Jets | Colorado Mammoths
Kenji Yoshimura | 88 | C | Los Angeles Panthers | Anchorage Armada

Code:

Credit to Wasty and Steelhead for the sigs - thanks dudes!

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