When Chris Kreider was drafted 19th overall at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Rangers it was a bit of a surprise to some as many thought Jordan Schroeder would be the first American player selected.
But the Boston College bound forward who had an electric season with his well-to-do Phillips Acedemy high school team (Big Blue) has all the tools to become an NHL star one day in a league that loves speed.
Kreider is the complete package. He has blazing speed and was perhaps the fastest player chosen in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He has size (6-2, 205) and he'll be growing some more as he's still only 18 years old. Perhaps most importantly though, he has character.
"The scouts who see him know what type of tremendous skills he has and he obviously has great physical strength, but he's an absolutely great character kid", says Phillips-Andover head coach Dean Boylan. "He's a great kid off the ice, a presence in the locker room and a young man who is forever looking to get better. Character is important to me and Chris is at the top."
The belief is that Kreider will be NHL ready within 2 years. The Rangers will have to convince him to turn pro and if that happens expect him to be wearing Ranger blue in 2011-12.
Oh, and that speed?
“He’s the fastest kid in the draft, and that’s the first thing that stands out about him,” said Rangers director of player personnel Gordie Clark, who calls the shots for the Blueshirts on draft day. “He just dominated with his speed. He gets so many breakaways because he is so bloody fast. He’s got that (Alexander) Mogilny-type speed.”
Kreider says he models his game after Alex Ovechkin while his childhood idol was Ray Bourque. Speed, talent, and character.
It's tough to peg Kreider's future fantasy potential as he's yet to play a game at the college level but he certainly has the raw ability to become an NHL star for the Rangers sometime soon.
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NHL Central Scouting have released their complete rankings of 211 players for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
The International Scouting Services have released their Mid-Term Rankings for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
