The Pittsburgh Penguins drafted a total of 11 players in
the 2003 Entry Draft, two goalies, two defensemen, and seven forwards.
Marc-Andre Fleury, G
6-1 172 18YO
Cape Breton (QMJHL)
No. 1 overall, 1st Round
Craig Patrick knew the guy he wanted, he just needed to
find a way to get him. Early in the
morning on Saturday, Craig finalized a deal with the Florida Panthers to get the
first overall pick in the draft, sending disgruntled forward Mikael Samuelsson,
their third overall pick in the draft, and a second round compensation pick (the
Pens also received Florida’s third rounder pick in 2003).
With that first overall pick, the Pens selected what they hope to be
their franchise goalie of the future.
Fleury was the unanimous pick among the Pens front office
and scouts as the top player on their board.
Pens scout Mark Kelley called Fleury the best goalie he’s seen to come
out of Junior hockey in the last 14 years.
"If you watch him play there’s no weakness to his game," Kelley
said. "We had zeroed in on him all along. We liked him. We told Craig what
we thought of him and it was Craig’s gig to get in the card game. We talked
about the top five players, but when it came right down to taking Fleury, we
were 100 percent."
Fleury had been considered the top goalie in the draft from
the start of the season, but his rise to the top of the draft was fueled by his
amazing performance for Canada in the World Junior Championships.
Named as the top goalie in the tournament, he outplayed last year’s top
drafted goalie Kari Lehtonen.
Fleury is an amazing blend of exceptional technical play
and athletic ability. He rarely has
to make an amazing save because he is always in excellent position.
He is a very confident goalie, playing with the poise and determination
that you usually don’t see in a player this young.
A definite big game goalie.
Projection: Franchise Goalie
Hockey’s Future Rating: 9.5
Ryan Stone, C
6-1, 200 18 YO
Brandon (WHL)
32nd overall, 2nd Round
Stone began the season as the top prospect from Brandon,
but injuries dropped him behind teammate Eric Fehr.
He’s a hard nosed kid who isn’t afraid to drop the gloves.
Tough around the net and strong on his skates.
Admits he needs to work on his skating.
Projection: Solid 2nd/3rd line Center
Hockey’s Future Rating:
6.5
Jonathan Filewich, RW
6-0, 208 18YO
Prince George (WHL)
70th overall, 3rd Round
Called by the Central Scouting Bureau a "gifted
playmaker with a good scoring touch", Filewich labels his game as a classic
power forward. Suffered a broken
jaw early in the season and missed 17 games. Physical play after returning suffered as a result.
Known around the league as a fierce forechecker.
Projection: 3rd Line Power Forward
Hockey’s Future Rating: 6
Daniel Carcillo, LW
5-11, 183 18YO
Sarnia (OHL)
73rd overall
Ranked 72nd by Central Scouting. Character player who is solid around the net with good hands.
Decent, but not great, skater. Played
in front of the net on Sarnia’s power play and was a top penalty killer. Member of Canada’s U18 Gold medal winning team.
Projection: Checking line winger, PK specialist
Hockey’s Future Rating: 5.5
Paul Bissonnette, D
6-2, 211 18YO
Saginaw (OHL)
121st overall, 4th Round
Rated 59th by Central Scouting. Considered a natural leader.
MVP of the CHL Top Prospects Game, scoring a goal and getting into a
fight to defend a teammate. Member
of Canada’s U18 Gold medal winning team. Expected
to be picked in the first day of the draft, but slipped to Round 4.
Projection: 3rd/4th Defenseman
Hockey’s Future Rating: 6
Evgeni Isakov, LW
6-1, 196 19YO
Cherepovets (Russia)
161st overall, 5th Round
Ranked 13th among European skaters by Central Scouting.
Played in the Russian Elite League as an 18 year old this past season,
going scoreless with 3 assists in 33 games.
Physical winger who plays tough in front of the net.
Needs to be more productive and his on-ice vision is lacking at times.
Tends to hold the puck looking for the "perfect" pass.
Projection: 2nd line playmaking winger
Hockey’s Future Rating: 6
Lukas Bolf, D
6-1, 189 18YO
Sparta (Czech Jr)
169th overall, 6th Round
Member of the Czech Republic’s U18 Championships team. Pens scout Mark Kelley compares Bolf to current Pens defenseman Josef Melichar. Good skater, solid body checker.
Projection: 5th/6th defenseman
Hockey’s Future Rating:
5.5
Andy Chiodo, G
6-0 195 20 YO
Toronto St Mikes Majors
199th overall, 7th Round
One of the top goaltenders in the OHL.
Originally drafted by the New York Islanders in the 6th Round of the 2001
draft. 2002-03 OHL Goalie of the
Year. Two-time OHL All Star.
Will likely get a shot at the no. 1 job in Wilkes-Barre this season.
Projection: Backup Goalie
Hockey’s Future Rating: 5.5
Stephen Dixon, C
5-11, 185 17 YO
Cape Breton (QMJHL)
229th overall
Member of Canada’s U18 Gold medal winning team.
One of 42 players invited to Canada’s WJC developmental camp.
Leading scorer for Cape Breton, but also trailed the team with a -36
plus-minus rating.
Projection: Organizational Depth
Hockey’s Future Rating: 5
Joe Jensen, LW
5-11, 188 20YO
St. Cloud State University (NCAA)
232nd overall, 8th Round
Projected as St Cloud’s captain for next season.
Good skater. Tough player who works hard.
Teammate of Pens draft pick Ryan Malone.
Projection: Organizational Depth
Hockey’s Future Rating: 5
Matt Moulson, LW
6-1 195 20 YO
Cornell University (NCAA)
263rd overall, 9th Round
Strong skater with a solid frame. Top scoring Freshman for Cornell this season.
Projection: Organizational Depth
Hockey’s Future Rating: 5