Plenty of bite
Sharks like Stuart's style
Posted: Saturday June 27, 1998 08:37 PM
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Stuart had 20 goals and 45 assists last season with the Regina Pats (AP) |
SAN FRANCISCO (CNN/SI) -- The San Jose Sharks didn't seem to mind picking
third in Saturday's NHL Entry Draft.
The Sharks and Nashville Predators swapped their top draft picks at the last minute and San Jose took defenseman Brad Stuart with the third overall selection.
Nashville took David Legwand with the second pick, which they acquired along with the 85th overall choice from the Sharks. The Sharks also got the 29th overall pick from Nashville, which they used on right wing Jonathan Cheechoo.
In a telephone interview from the draft in Buffalo, New York, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound Stuart said he knew the Sharks were interested.
"I talked to them before the draft, probably more than any other team," Stuart said. "So I wasn't that surprised."
Stuart, who turns 19 in November, had 20 goals and 45 assists for the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League last season.
"He's got size, he can play on the power play, he's got minutes," said Tim Burke, the Sharks' Director of Amateur Scouting. "He's got a lot of dimension to him."
Known for his strength and hard shots, Stuart did not get into any fights last season. His coach had told him not to pick on anyone that didn't match his skill level, he explained.
"It's not anything I shy away from," he said.
Stuart, a native of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, said he would be willing to return to junior hockey to hone his skills, but wouldn't mind playing with the Sharks next season if he has a good camp. He still has a lot to learn, he admitted.
"I've got to work on my consistency, that's for sure," he said. "But that will come with maturity. I'm not concerned about that."
Cheechoo, who will be 18 in July, played last season with Belleville of the Ontario Hockey League. In 64 games, he had 31 goals and 45 assists.
"The kid has a scoring history, and that was a need," Burke said. "We wanted him. We had him targeted."
Meanwhile, Al Iafrate was selected by the Predators in the NHL Expansion Draft on Friday.
But the often-injured but popular defenseman could be back with the Sharks next season. His contract is at the team's option for $1.85 million. Predators general manager David Poile said Nashville does not plan to exercise the option, which would make Iafrate a free agent and available to the Sharks.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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