Could winning the WCHA's rookie of the year award be a fortelling of the future for NHL prospects Danny Kristo and Jordan Schroeder?
The Western Collegiate Hockey Association announced it's rookie of the year a few days ago and the award went to Montreal Canadiens prospect forward Danny Kristo. The Canadiens drafted Kristo in the 2nd round (56th overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Kristo has plenty of offensive talent, grit, and a solid snap shot. He's also a two-time World Junior player for Team USA and was one of the top performers at the 2010 tournament.
Last year's winner was Jordan Schroeder, the Vancouver Canucks prospect who just signed a 3-year entry level deal and joined the AHL's Manitoba Moose last weekend. He scored a pair of goals in his pro debut and the Canucks think highly of him despite a somewhat inconsistent season in the NCAA in 2009-10. Schroeder was drafted in the 1st round (22nd overall) by the Canucks in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Schroeder's size (5-8, 175 lbs) has been a question mark for him his entire career but like Kristo he displays plenty of grit and has a boatload of skill.
The thought on Kristo is that while he may become a top-6 forward for the Canadiens, he is definitely not a lock. Some scouts question whether or not his offense will translate to the NHL and it's probable that the team will take it slow with him and let him develop.
Schroeder, on the other hand, seems to be on the fast-track to the NHL. His arrival to the pro game adds another young player to battle for what may be one or two roster spots for the Canucks next fall. Michael Grabner and Cody Hodgson will also be in the mix. Grabner likely has a leg up based on previous NHL and AHL experience, so the real battle may come between Schroeder and Hodgson.
While both Kristo and Schroeder are solid talents they both come with some reservation. Schroeder was passed up by several teams at the draft despite his obvious skill and Kristo slipped to the 2nd round. On a slightly superstitious note thoug, their selections as WCHA rookie of the year could be a foreshadow of what is to come.
Here are some other notable WCHA Rookie of the Year winners from the past decade:
2008: Richard Bachman
2007: Andreas Nodl
2006: Phil Kessel
2005: Paul Stastny
2003: Thomas Vanek
There is no doubt that the WCHA is turning out some solid NHLers. In 2008-09 there were 197 players in the WCHA who were drafted by NHL teams. The 2009 NHL Entry Draft saw 25 WCHA players selected, and that number is expected to grow in 2010.
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