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Undrafted Players Garnering Interest

July 8, 2011, 10:09 AM ET [ Comments]
Brian Huddle
CHL and NHL Prospects • RSSArchiveCONTACT
In total, 211 players were drafted between June 24th and 25th, with Johan Mattsson going last to the Chicago Blackhawks. A good crop of young players comes along each year, and yet each year there are those who go undrafted for whatever reason, and still manage to find their way into the National Hockey League.

Travis Zajac is a good example. Undrafted in his initial draft year after a 52 point season in the BCHL, Zajac went on to a 112 point season and a 21st Overall Selection by New Jersey the following year, before making the jump to the University of North Dakota.

That in mind, we're seeing more and more undrafted kids getting legitimate shots at Prospect Develop Camps each year. Last year saw the Toronto Maple Leafs extend an offer to Andrew Crescenzi following a good showing at their Development Camp as well as in their Annual Rookie Tournament.

So who is gaining interest this year?

Mitchell Heard
Invited to Leafs Development Camp this week, Heard really started turning some heads as the leading scorer in the Blue vs. White Scrimmage games. Undrafted to the OHL, who was spending his time in the OJHL in his draft year, Heard got a chance at the end of last season, and then broke out this year with 19 goals in his first OHL Campaign. He has good size at 6'2, 180 lbs, and is hard worker with some offensive abilities. Though likely headed for a checking role at the next levels, Heard has shown enough of a scoring touch to come off as a potential late bloomer.

Seth Griffith
Likely because of the time Tampa Scouts saw their shiny first round pick, Vladislav Nametsnikov, Griffith was recently invited to Lightning Prospect Camp. This speedy center is creative and really quite dangerous with the puck, in his first full season in the OHL. Concerns seem to be on his size, but expect big things from this kid in the next few years with London.

Kevin Tansey
Another invite by the Leafs, this 6'3, 210 lb defender has been playing with Cumberland in the CCHL this past season, and is headed for Clarkson University next year. With that size, and his mobility that people keep telling me about, it's easy to understand the sudden interest. There seems to be some emerging offensive upside, and looked like he belonged this week with the Leafs prospects. Though a Clarkson recruit, a contract would change his eligibility and would likely go the route of the OHL with Plymouth who drafted him.

Josh McFadden
72 points in the OHL put McFadden on the radar, as he third high scoring D in the league, behind that of only Ryan Ellis and Ryan Murphy. The Canadiens invited him out to their camp, which I was surprised he was even available for. I really thought someone would use a late round flyer on the 20 year old. Offensively he's very creative, has a big shot, sees the ice well on the Powerplay and can skate extremely well. Some note him as a fourth forward on the ice. There are holes in his game, including his defensive awareness and he's untimely turnovers, but the natural skills are their to refine.

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