Flyers draft pick capsules
MICHAEL CHAPUT Selected: 3rd round, No. 89 overall Previous team: Lewiston MAINEiacs (QMJHL) Hometown: Ile Bizard, Que. Position: Center Born: April 9, 1992
MICHAEL CHAPUT
Selected: 3rd round, No. 89 overall
Previous team: Lewiston MAINEiacs (QMJHL)
Hometown: Ile Bizard, Que.
Position: Center
Born: April 9, 1992
Height: 6-1; Weight: 194
Notable stats/accolades: 65 points in 97 career games in the QMJHL, 28 goals and 27 assists this season. Michael's older brother, Stephane, was a fifth-round draft pick of the Hurricanes in 2006. He scored 10 goals and had 28 assists this past season for the AHL's Albany River Rats.
Chaput says: "I'm very excited. I actually never talked to the Flyers before the draft or anything so it was quite a surprise. I'm still kind of nervous. Every time there was a team picking, my heart was beating. I'm a little shocked but I'm also relieved. I can bring energy and a lot of work to this team. I'm pretty much an energy guy. I'm also able to score some goals, so maybe a third-line guy that can also bring some goals."
TYE McGINN
Selected: 4th round, No. 119 overall
Previous team: Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)
Hometown: Fergus, Ont.
Position: Left wing
Born: July 29, 1990
Height: 6-2; Weight: 195
Notable stats/accolades: McGinn posted 62 points in 50 games with the Olympiques last year. He is the younger brother of San Jose Sharks forward Jamie McGinn. McGinn is the oldest of the Flyers' draftees; he turns 20 years old next month. He is one of just 21 players born in 1990 who were drafted. Holmgren said McGinn could play "right away" in the AHL.
MICHAEL PARKS
Selected: 5th round, No. 149 overall
Previous team: Cedar Rapids Roughriders (USHL)
Hometown: O'Fallon, Mo.
Position: Right wing
Born: Feb. 15, 1992
Height: 5-10; Weight: 184
Notable stats/accolades: In his rookie season with Cedar Rapids, Parks posted 11 goals and 11 assists in 51 games with 57 penalty minutes. He grew up outside of St. Louis, where he skated in the same youth hockey circles as Phantoms forward Pat Maroon.
Parks says: "This past season, I think I learned the most on being a complete player and not be so worried about the offensive side of things like I was [before]. I learned to be more responsible in all three zones, not just worry about putting points up, just worry about doing the little things right. I'm going to play another year in the USHL with Cedar Rapids and then I'm going to attend the University of North Dakota in the fall of 2011 and just start my college career then. Then I will just take it year-by-year and see how it goes."
RICARD BLIDSTRAND
Selected: 7th round, No. 206 overall
Previous team: AIK (Swedish Juniors)
Hometown: Stockholm, Sweden
Position: Defense
Born: April 20, 1992
Height: 6-1; Weight: 191
Notable stats/accolades: In 33 games with AIK's top junior team, Blidstrand netted two goals and six assists for eight points.
EliteProspects.com says: "A big and strong defenseman. Plays determined and can play physical in his own end, but should do it more frequently. Moves the puck well and has a very good shot from the point. Passing game is a bit suspect as well as his decision making at times."
BRENDAN RANFORD
Selected: 7th round, No. 209 overall
Previous team: Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
Hometown: Edmonton, Alb.
Position: Left wing
Born: May 3, 1992
Height: 5-9; Weight: 182
Notable stats/accolades: Ranford had a really strong season in the Western Hockey League, posting 65 points (29 goals and 36 assists) in 72 regular-season games for the Blazers. He is undersized but could be someone to watch as he continues to mature. He is the nephew of former NHL goaltender Bill Ranford.