Leaf Prospects

2005 Draft
With their first-round selection of Rask, The Leafsdrafted the top-ranked European goaltender by NHL Central Scouting. He spent last season in his native Finland with the Ilves Juniors team, where he had a 1.86 goals-against average and .935 save percentage in 26 games. Rask has size at six foot two and 183 pounds, and is known for his good glove, quick reflexes and butterfly style. He played for Finland at the last world junior hockey championship and his country's under-18 squad.
''We project him to be a No. 1 goalie in the NHL - down the road,'' Ferguson said.
Rask didn't make the trip to Ottawa's Westin Hotel for draft day, but instead watched the proceedings on the Internet at his girlfriend's apartment in Finland. He knows it could be awhile before he's ready for the top level.
''Maybe two, three years, four years,'' Rask said. ''Whatever it takes.''
1. Tuukka Rask/G-L — Ilves. 6-2/173. 10 MAR 87.
Tremendously competitive battler plays with a ton of confidence and swagger. Great tools: size, flexibility, quick glove, great lateral movement, and calm under pressure. Will become another in the line of big-time Finnish netminders. A thin butterfly goalie, Rask gets up and down quickly and has very fast legs. Has excellent rebound control and amazingly soft pads. Manages to stay square even when sliding across crease on knees and likes to challenge shooters. Doesn’t get flustered with traffic in front. Handles the puck well and likes to try for the long pass.Has star potential.Tuukka Rask We've been huge fans and still love him, having him at No. 5 overall. http://www.redlinereport.com
http://www.redlinereport.com
From the Toronto Star http://tsf.waymoresports.thestar.com/thestar/hockey/player.cgi?4958
Tuukka Rask G, Ilves Tampere (Finland)
The latest goaltending gem emanating from Finland, Rask is trying to follow in the footsteps of Kari Lehtonen and Hannu Toivonen; saw a little action in the SM-Liiga as a 17-year-old this year, and dominated the junior league for Ilves Tampere (26 GP, 2 SO, 1.86 GAA, .935 Sv%); was more impressive at the 2005 WJC last December/January than at the 2005 World U-18 tournament in April; is expected to take over as Ilves' No. 1 goaltender in the SM-Liiga in 2005-06; sound positional skills and a projectable frame are Rask's best assets between http://tsf.waymoresports.thestar.com/thestar/hockey/extras.cgi?2005-draft-prospect-profiles
http://tsf.waymoresports.thestar.com/thestar/hockey/extras.cgi?2005-draft-prospect-profiles
The Leafs also selected defenceman Phil Oreskovic of the OHL's Brampton Battalion with the 82nd overall pick. Toronto selected forwards with its two other picks, taking American Alex Berry of the Empire Junior Hockey League's Junior Bruins 153rd overall and Johan Dahlberg, who played for the Modo Juniors in his native Sweden last season, at No. 173.
Oreskovic lands with LeafsJuly 30, 2005 BRAMPTON, Ont. - Brampton Battalion defenceman Phil Oreskovic was chosen by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third round of the 2005 National Hockey League Entry Draft on Saturday at Ottawa.Oreskovic, who was the 82nd overall selection, came into the draft rated 136th among North American skaters in the NHL Central Scouting Bureau’s final rankings. Oreskovic had been ranked 183rd by Central Scouting in January.“It’s a tremendous feeling,” said Oreskovic, who was following the draft at his Brampton home.“I was just hoping to get drafted, but once I got the call and I was told I was going to the Leafs it was really overwhelming. It was pretty nerve-wracking waiting to see my name come up.”Oreskovic met with the Leafs in June at the Air Canada Centre.“I knew the Leafs were interested in me. We had a really good meeting. They made me feel very comfortable. I am sure there are a lot of things they would like me to improve and hopefully I can bring what they want to the table.The 18-year-old Oreskovic was the Battalion’s first round pick in the 2003 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection. The six-foot-three, 217-pound Oreskovic had a goal and six assists for seven points in 61 games last season. He led the Troops with 147 penalty minutes.

McKeen's Draft Awards Strongest Player: Phil Oreskovic The reviews on his effort and consistency are mixed but this kid is built like a brick .. firm and sturdy on his feet - guys just bounce off him at open ice.

he's a solid dfensemen who needs to work on his skating, his style of play is very similar to former Brampton Battalion Jay Harrison, But Phil is tougher and is a little better skater. He needs to work on his skating and improve his positioning. If he can put it together he'll be a great stay at home dmen in the future.He could be a steal!!!
Leafs 5th rounder #24 Alex Berry6'3, 200 3/6/86 Danvers, MA Sr. Playing in his first year in any Junior Bruins program...Played last season at Cushing Academy...Member of Mass select 15, 16 and 17 teams...Went to Europe with the US U 17 team in summer of 2003...2004 Beantown Classic Best Pro Prospect..Tremendous physical presence...one of the hardest hitters in the EJHL...soft hands...great release...cannon shot...mean as a snake...Recently named to the NHL central scouting list...played for Top Gun in youth hockey...Son of Bob...has committed to UMass for 05 season...
Johan Dahlberg Position: LW Shoots: Left Height: 6-2 Weight: 192 lbs Birthdate: 1987-02-03
6’2 winger Johan Dahlberg is the toughest and most physical Swedish forward eligible to get drafted. The hard-hitting MODO prospect is known for his hot temper and could be a successful agitator/role player in the making. Future Even though Dahlberg, a rather safe pick and an outside candidate to be drafted during the first day of the draft, will likely never become an offensive star, he is a decent goal scorer and can chip in offensively though is not the best of stickhandlers http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospect/johan_dahlberg

http://groups.msn.com/TORONTOMAPLELEAFFANSZONE/leafsnation.msnw?action=get_message&mview=1&ID_Message=6772
2004 Draft
Justin Pogge with the 90th overall pick.He had a 2.83 goals-against average in 44 games with the WHL team this past season.Central Scouting had Pogge rated eighth among North American goaltenders113. TORONTO (FROM EDM/NYR)-- ROMAN KUKUMBERG, RW, TRENCIN 157. TORONTO -- DIMITRI VOROBIEV, D, TOGLIATTI 6'1 211
Vorobiev does everything well, and has made a solid mark in the Lada hockey program. Some scouts are concerned that he has no particular stand-out skills, although there are no stand-out weaknesses either. A solid skater who is already a solid 210 lbs, Vorobiev has the strength and balance to defend against NHL-size opposition already.Future Vorobiev will stay where he is for now, and should see his ice time increase next season. Has a shot to represent Russia at the 2005 WJC. He looks like he has a shot to play in the NHL, but probably as a depth defenseman at this point, and a few years down the road 187. TORONTO -- ROBERT EARL, LW, UNIV. OF WISCONSIN
Earl is a tremendously gifted offensive player who is exciting watch. He is an excellent skater with explosive speed. He’s a difficult player to contain because of his great ability to move not only through traffic but also around opposing defenders. He plays with intensity and will get involved in the physical aspects of the game. His play around the net is quite good. He will drive to the net as well as create chaos around it. He also possesses great playmaking skills. He sees the ice well and has good anticipation. He possesses a quick release and has no trouble finding the net. He has also shown a knack for scoring timely goals as well. One area of improvement for Earl is his size. At 185 lbs. he could stand to bulk up more.Future -The undersized speedster will be back at Wisconsin for his junior season in 2005-06. He needs to continue to round out his game, and not be so reliant on his speed to get by. This youngster is brimming with confidence, and has the potential to make a lot of noise offensively at Wisconsin next season. 220. TORONTO -- MAXIM SEMENOV, D, TOGLIATTI 252. TORONTO-- JAN STEBER, C-LW, HALIFAX285. TORONTO --PIERCE NORTON, RW, THAYER ACADEMY
- Brendan Bell (D)- ALEX BERRY F- Carlo Colaiacovo (D)- JOHAN DAHLBERG. W 6'2 192
6’2 winger Johan Dahlberg is the toughest and most physical Swedish forward eligible to get drafted. The hard-hitting MODO prospect is known for his hot temper and could be a successful agitator/role player in the making.Future Even though he is, a rather safe pick, will likely never become an offensive star, he is a decent goal scorer and can chip in offensively though is not the best of stickhandlers - Dominic D'Amour (D)-John Doherty (D)
Jeremy Williams Position: RW Shoots: Right 5-11 184 lbs Birthdate: 1984-01-26 7th Round, 220th Overall in 2003 NHL Entry Draft
gifted offensive player, is an adept playmaker who can also finish. Williams has an edge to his game, and although he's slight in build, does not back down from larger defenders. Drafted as a 19-yr-old, there are some concerns that Williams size and defensive play will hold him back at the professional levels. His skating has really improved in the last two years, but there is always room for improvement in that area. has really improved his acceleration and top-end speed in recent years, which has helped him offensively.Future He should be ready for the jump to the NHL whenever the call comes.