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Talented and ready DiPietro, Hainsey top-rated players in AHL
By Steve Kournianos, Special to CNNSI.com BOSTON (Ticker) -- Below is SportsTicker's look at the top 30 prospects in the American Hockey League. 1. Rick DiPietro, G, Bridgeport (Islanders) -- Although the arrival of Chris Osgood prevented DiPietro, 20, from making the Islanders out of training camp for the second straight season, he is virtually guaranteed the lion's share of the workload in goal for the Sound Tigers. All eyes will be on the Massachusetts native, who last season struggled in his first year as a pro after New York made him the first goalie in NHL history to be selected with the top pick in the entry draft. 2. Ron Hainsey, D, Quebec (Canadiens) -- Much like fellow 2000 first-rounder DiPietro, Hainsey (13th overall) chose to leave the college ranks early for a shot at the pro game. Two seasons at UMass-Lowell is all it took for the 20-year-old New Englander to prove that he is one of the game's top young two-way defenseman. Hainsey's smooth skating ability and offensive creativity should fit in nicely with the Citadelles' run-and-gun style of play. 3. Ari Ahonen, G, Albany (Devils) -- Ahonen enters his first pro season in North America with an impressive resume. New Jersey's first-round pick in the 1999 draft (27th overall) and a first team all-star at the 2001 World Junior Championships, Ahonen will battle it out with 1997 first-rounder J.F. Damphousse for Albany's No. 1 goaltending job. As fundamentally-sound as they come, Ahonen is extremely effective in late-game, pressure situations. 4. Maxime Ouellet, G, Philadelphia (Flyers) -- The parent club's logjam in goal should prove a blessing in disguise for this native of Beauport, Quebec, who compiled a stunning 101-41-12 record in junior hockey. The 22nd-overall pick in 1999, Ouellet made the Flyers out camp last October and appeared in two games apiece for both the Flyers and the Phantoms. 5. Jani Rita, LW/RW, Hamilton (Oilers) -- Despite scoring only five goals in 50 games in the Finnish Elite League last season, Rita proved he was one hockey's top young talents by leading Finland to a Silver medal at the 2001 World Junior Championships, with eight goals in seven games. However, it won't be an easy transition to the North American style for Rita, a rugged winger with a hard shot who was selected 13th overall in 1999. 6. Mike Mottau, D, Hartford (Rangers) -- Few defensemen in any league posses the poise and two-way skill of this former Hobey Baker winner. After a stellar career at Boston College in which he led the Eagles to three straight Frozen Four appearances, Mottau burst onto the AHL scene last season by leading all rookie blueliners with 45 points and earning a spot in the All-Star game. 7. Mika Noronen, G, Rochester (Sabres) -- It's hard to believe that this rising star from Finland did not crack Buffalo's lineup, even after the trade of Dominik Hasek. In his first two AHL seasons after being selected 21st-overall in 1997, Noronen went a combined 59-28 with 10 shutouts and a 2.18 GAA. He won both of the games in which he appeared for the Sabres last season. With a plethora of fine young goaltenders in its system, Buffalo could use him as trade bait. 8. Raffi Torres, LW, Bridgeport (Islanders) -- In one of the more surprising moves of the preseason, normally impatient Isles GM Mike Milbury, fresh off his offseason spending spree, decided that this Adam Deadmarsh clone could use a season or two in the minors rather than a trial-by-fire in the NHL. Picked four spots after DiPietro in the first round in June of 2000, Torres averaged 37 goals per season in the Ontario Hockey League. His rugged, in-your-face style and strong work ethic could translate into a long, prosperous NHL career. 9. Daniel Tkaczuk, C, Worcester (Blues) -- One of the game's best young leaders, Tkaczuk was acquired by St. Louis from Calgary in the Roman Turek trade over the summer. A fierce competitor who has above-average playmaking skills, Tkaczuk, 22, turned some heads last season when he picked up 11 points in 19 games as a rookie for Calgary. The Flames, who drafted him sixth overall in 1997, were criticized for being too patient with his development. The same shouldn't be the case in St. Louis. 10. Jamie Lundmark, C, Hartford (Rangers) -- One of the upsides of being a high draft pick for a struggling organization like the Rangers is that there is never a shortage of attention, and such has been the case for Lundmark after the Blueshirts made him the ninth overall pick in the 1999 draft. Although the spotlight on this young center was slightly dimmed with the arrival of Eric Lindros, Lundmark is still considered the organization's top overall prospect. 11. Mikhail Kuleshov, LW, Hershey (Avalanche) -- According to Av's coach Bob Hartley, a lack of playing time due to a knee injury is all that prevented the 6-foot-2 Russian winger from making the club out of training camp this fall. Kuleshov, a first-round pick in 1999, performed very well during the preseason and is expected to adapt quickly to the North American Game. 12. Jason Chimera, C, Hamilton (Oilers) -- Considered one of the organization's fastest skaters, the 22-year-old Edmonton native was the last player cut from training camp. Despite the setback, Chimera is still in the Oilers' future plans due to his dedication and fierce competitiveness. Unearthed in the fifth round of the 1997 draft, Chimera has increased his scoring output in each of the last three seasons. 13. Barret Jackman, D, Worcester (Blues) -- A first-round pick in 1999 and one of the Western Hockey League's top defensemen, Jackman is as mean and physical as anyone out there. His bone-crushing checks and tenacity on the ice strikes fear into the hearts of opponents. Jackman is also a very capable puck-handler and can play the point on the power play. He needs to add a little discipline to his game before making the jump to the NHL. 14. Kyle Wanvig, RW, Houston (Wild) -- A facsimile error back in early June prevented this power forward from being traded from Boston to Toronto. After failing to come to terms with the Bruins, Wanvig, a 55-goal scorer for Red Deer (Western Hockey League) last season, was picked up by Minnesota in the second round of the 2001 draft. Born in Calgary and a fan of former Bruin star Cam Neely, the 20-year-old Wanvig racked up 202 penalty minutes last season before being named the MVP of the 2001 Canadian Junior Hockey League's Memorial Cup Championship. 15. Jeff Farkas, C, St. John's (Maple Leafs) -- Farkas was one of many talented youngsters within the organization that was left off Toronto's Opening Night, veteran-dominate roster. Nevertheless, it does not take away from the fact that he is a great skater and one of the most dangerous goal scorers outside the NHL. After netting 30-plus goals in each of his two seasons at Boston College, Farkas scored 28 goals in a 68-point rookie season for St. John's last season. 16. Mathieu Chouinard, G, Grand Rapids (Senators) -- After having the pleasure of being drafted by Ottawa twice in three years, Chouinard lived up to the legacy he established for himself in junior hockey by posting an impressive 17-7-1 mark as a rookie for the Griffins in 2001. He also posted a stingy 1.78 GAA in three playoff games. Even though the goaltending situation in Ottawa is currently stable, he may be given a peek before season's end. 17. Ramzi Abid, LW, Springfield (Coyotes) -- Abid's first pro season was limited to 17 games due to a wrist injury, but he still scored six goals and 10 points in 2001. Originally a Colorado draft pick before re-entering the draft pool in 2000, Abid once potted 67 goals in 72 games in junior hockey. If the rebuilding Coyotes falter early, he should expect a promotion. 18. Andy Hilbert, C, Providence (Bruins) -- The former University of Michigan star led the Wolverines in scoring as a sophomore last season with 64 points in 42 games. Selected 37th overall by Boston in 2000, Hilbert is an extremely gifted passer and playmaker who can play both the center and wing positions. 19. Mathieu Garon, G, Quebec (Canadiens) -- It was almost certain that Garon would be at least the No. 2 goaltender in Montreal this season, but the team's failure to find a taker for veteran Jeff Hackett in the offseason will keep this budding star in the minors for a little while longer. Drafted 44th overall in 1996, Garon possesses cat-like quickness and is very agile. Last season, he finished with a winning record for the first time as a pro and set career highs in GAA (2.92) and save percentage (.920) for the Citadelles. 20. Matt Pettinger, LW, Portland (Washington) -- Arguably the organization's most complete player, Pettinger, a second-round pick in 2000, parlayed a brief but successful amateur career into a 10-game stint with the Capitals last season. Although he spent most of his first season as a pro with the Pirates (64 GP, 19 G, 17 A), Pettinger's speed, aggressive forechecking and physical nature should be good enough to land him an NHL job in the very near future. 21. Branislav Mezei, D, Bridgeport (Islanders) -- Now that the old Islander habit of trading away prized, young defenseman is slowly becoming extinct, the development of this strapping, 6-foot-5 bruiser is not being rushed. Injuries to New York's defensive corps last season forced the Isles to play Mezei, the 10th overall pick in the 1999 draft, in 42 games. His dedication to the defensive zone will make life easier for any goaltender playing behind him. 22. Mike Van Ryn, D, Worcester (Blues) -- Another prized prospect who survived St. Louis' roster shuffling of the past two seasons. Van Ryn, a former first-round pick of the Devils who was signed by the Blues two summers ago, is an offensive-minded defenseman who honed his skills for two seasons at the University of Michigan. Van Ryn' speed and offensive instincts make him a prime candidate to someday fill the shoes of aging and oft-injured Al MacInnis in St. Louis. 23. Jonathan Cheechoo, RW, Cleveland (Sharks) -- A former teammate of Mezei's in Belleville (Ontario Hockey League), Cheechoo has done nothing but put up points since San Jose drafted him in the second round of the 1998 draft. His impressive 2000-01 campaign, in which Cheechoo scored 32 goals for Kentucky in the AHL, made it difficult for San Jose to keep him off its roster. But, the parent club's right-wing position is just too crowded for now. 24. Brian Gionta, RW, Albany (Devils) -- A lightning-quick keg of dynamite who last season scored five goals in one period, Gionta tallied 33 in 43 games for 2001 NCAA champion Boston College. In fact, he averaged nearly 31 goals a season while earning his degree in Chestnut Hill. He has NHL-caliber skills, but Gionta's 5-foot-6 frame has drawn concerns. He had an impressive preseason camp with the Devils, who will watch his progress in the minors closely. 25. Alexander Riazantsev, D, Hershey (Avalanche) -- One of Colorado General Manager Pierre Lacroix's better late-round picks. Riazantsev, 21, was the 167th pick in 1998, but he has quickly emerged as one of the Av's many assets. He played nearly 30 minutes a game for Hershey last season in leading the Bears to the Western Conference Finals. 26. Petr Schastlivy, LW, Grand Rapids (Senators) -- An injury-plagued 2000-01 season didn't effect his standing as one of Ottawa's top prospects. Schastlivy performed reasonably well during brief stints with the Senators the past two seasons, scoring five goals and 12 points in a combined 30 games. Very crafty with the puck, he needs another season in the minors to work on his play in his own end. 27. Brooks Orpik, D, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (Penguins) -- A towering defenseman, Orpik was a Pittsburgh's first pick in the 2000 draft. Orpik, also a member of Boston College's 2001 NCAA Championship squad, is going to make life miserable for anybody who steps in his way. He has no problem throwing his 6-foot-3 frame around the ice, which should make the San Francisco-area native a fan favorite wherever he plays. 28. Eric Chouniard, C, Quebec (Montreal) -- The son of former NHLer Guy Chouinard, Eric was the 16th-overall pick in the 1998 draft. Last season, he notched 23 points in 34 games as a rookie for the Citadelles and even played in 13 games for Montreal. The Canadiens know he is gifted with the puck. It's what he does without it that's holding him back. 29. Jonathan Girard, D, Providence (Bruins) -- Drafted in the second round in 1998, Girard is one of the AHL's fastest skaters and is adept at filling the scoresheet. The knock on him has always been his lack of size (5-foot-10) and his disdain towards the physical nature of the game. He scored 16 points in 31 games for Boston last season and figures to be one of the club's first call-ups this season. 30. Mikael Samuelsson, RW, Hartford (Rangers) -- It wasn't easy for Ranger fans to stomach the offseason trade of hero Adam Graves to San Jose, but the traded did give New York Samuelsson in return. The 24-year-old is fast and compiled 61 points as a rookie for Kentucky last season. He is also a tenacious forechecker.
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