panoo

Written by: Stephen J. Holodinsky
on 07/18/2007

The Florida Panthers had eight selections in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft and used those picks to draft one goaltender, three defensemen, and four forwards.

Keaton Ellerby, D -- 1st round/10th overall-Kamloops (WHL)

With their first selection in the draft, the Panthers selected 6’4 195-pound Ellerby from the Kamloops Blazers. Ellerby, who patterns his game after Chris Pronger and future teammate Jay Bouwmeester, has great wheels especially for his size and a mean streak reminiscent of Panthers rearguard Bryan Allen. When chosen by the Panthers he said, “I’m so excited about it. Having a guy like Jay Bouwmeester to look up to is just unbelievable. Going down to Florida is going to be great for me I think.”

A conscientious player, he realizes that every minute at the rink counts. “Every time I go to the rink I like to try to make myself better and when I leave I like to think I’ve done something to improve my game or improve myself as a person,” he said.

To that end he took full advantage of his familial relations with Phoenix Coyotes power forward Shane Doan in preparation for the draft. ”I lived with him for a bit this summer and worked out with him and that was a very good experience. He pushes me to my limits every time we step into the gym so it’s definitely a good thing to have him around.”

Ellerby harbors no illusions about making the team out of training camp this year, realizing he is not by any means a finished product. When asked about how many years it might be before he is skating for the pro club he replied “I’d like to say probably two. I think another year of junior would be good for me, just to keep developing, keep getting bigger and stronger. Hopefully in two years I can hopefully make that step up, play well, and make that team in Florida.”

When asked on what he needs to do to take the next step he readily points out that he needs to “keep getting stronger, keep getting bigger, things like getting my point totals up, keeping my plus/minus up, keep developing and working hard.”

The young rearguard realizes that next season is a big year for him both on the ice and in the dressing room. “Hopefully next year if I go back and play junior I can make the World Junior Team.” He went on to say that, “My coaches said they are expecting me to make a jump up and become a leader on the team.”

In the future, look for Ellerby and Allen to be the Panthers shutdown defensemen, filling much the same role that Chris Phillips and Anton Volchenkov did for the Ottawa Senators last season.

“I like to think of myself as a pretty tough guy who is not a fan of losing,” he said.

Michal Repik, RW -- 2nd round/40th overall -- Vancouver Giants (WHL)

For their first pick on Saturday the Panthers brass went back to the WHL, this time selecting shifty winger Michal Repik from the Memorial Cup Champion Vancouver Giants. GM Jacques Martin took a liking to Repik during the tournament, where he played alongside Florida prospect Kenndal McArdle.

Repik was a fast riser on many draft boards due to his superlative performance in the post-season when he lead the WHL in scoring with 26 points in 22 games. Repik was happy to be picked by Florida, noting they have a couple of Czech guys on the team already.

Florida Director of Scouting Scott Luce readily admits his performance when it counted most was an influencing factor in taking him. “Michal had a great playoffs. He’s a smart two-way player who was highly rated on our lists. We couldn’t pass up on him. Jacques saw him play in the Memorial Cup and was impressed with his good hockey sense.”

Evgeni Dadonov, RW -- 3rd round/71st overall -- Traktor Chelyabinsk (RSL)

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