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The newest edition of the Top 20 for the Vancouver Canucks includes a new No. 1 as well as a couple of new faces from the recent draft.

 

#1. Alexander Auld, Goaltender, Manitoba Moose/Vancouver Canucks.

Alexander Auld has taken over the top spot from defenseman Kirill Koltsov. Auld has been impressive this season in the American Hockey League and got called up early in December to replace backup goaltender Johan Hedberg. He has played in five games with the Canucks this season, and in four of them played very well. Auld is the future between the pipes for the Canucks and should get his chance soon.

Year	Team	League	GP	W	L	T	GAA	Sv %
2003-04	Vancouver	NHL	5	2	1	2	2.10	.926
2003-04	Manitoba	AHL	15	6	8	1	2.58	.911

 

#2. Kirill Koltsov, Defense, Manitoba Moose.

Kirill Koltsov has brought his game to North America this season, playing for the Canucks farm team in Manitoba. Playing for the Moose this season has been a good step for his development as he has been able to refine his skills and has played well this season. With his set of skills, it won’t be long until he’s a regular in the Canucks lineup.

Year	Team	League	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM
2003-04	Manitoba	AHL	39	2	12	14	-7	26

 

#3. R.J. Umberger, Center.

Still unsigned by the team, R.J. Umberger was the Canucks top pick in the 2001 NHL Draft. Unfortunately, the team and Umberger are apart monetarily on Umberger’s contract. Umberger will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1 if he does not sign a contract with the Canucks. The team would receive a compensatory pick if he leaves. He is still, however, one of the team’s top prospects as he has the potential offensively to be a top 2 centerman.

Year	Team	League	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM
2002-03	Ohio State	NCAA	43	26	27	53	NA	16

 

#4. Ilya Krikunov, Right wing, Khimik Voskresensk.

Krikunov was drafted late in the 2002 draft, in the seventh round, 242nd overall. He is looking like he could wind up being a diamond in the rough for the Canucks. Although not very big standing less than 6 feet tall, he is a threat offensively be it scoring goals or making passes. He is currently playing in the Super League in Russia and will look to receive a contract to come to North America next season.

Year	Team	League	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM
2003-04	Khimik	Super League	29	7	8	15	NA	12
2003-04	Russia	U20 WJC	6	0	2	2	-2	2

 

#5. Ryan Kesler, Center, Manitoba Moose.

Kesler was the Canucks first round pick in the 2003 NHL Draft. A teammate of No. 3 prospect R.J. Umberger at Ohio State University last year, Kesler signed a contract with the Canucks while Umberger did not. Kesler has played most of the season for the Moose in the AHL but has also been called up for a short stint with the Canucks. Kesler also played for the gold medal winning US team at the Under 20 World Junior Hockey Championships.

Year	Team	League	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM
2003-04	Vancouver	NHL	7	1	1	2	+1	0
2003-04	Manitoba	AHL	23	2	7	9	-1	21

 

#6. Brandon Reid, Center, Manitoba Moose/Vancouver Canucks.

Brandon Reid is yet another one of the gems the Canucks have found late in the draft. Reid was a seventh round pick in the 2000 NHL Draft and he has been one of the most offensive players on each team he has played for. He was leading the Moose in scoring until being called up to the Canucks on January 10th.

Year	Team	League	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM
2003-04	Manitoba	AHL	41	9	22	31	+2	12

 

#7. Brandon Nolan, Center, Manitoba Moose.

Originally drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the 2001 NHL Draft, Nolan was never able to come to terms on a deal with the Devils. Nolan re-entered the 2003 Draft and was picked by the Vancouver Canucks in the fourth round. Nolan is an offensive minded forward with decent size. He started the year in the ECHL but has since been called up and has stayed with the Moose ever since.

Year	Team	League	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM
2003-04	Manitoba	AHL	29	6	8	14	-2	14

 

#8. Evgeny Gladskikh, Left wing, Metallurg Magnitogor.

Gladskikh was drafted by the Canucks in the fourth round of the 2001 NHL Draft. Gladskikh has played all but one game so far in the Super League with one game being played on the farm. He is having a good season and remains to be one of the Canucks top prospects for the future.

Year	Team	League	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM
2003-04	Metallurg	Super League	28	7	9	16	NA	12

 

#9. Lukas Mensator, Goaltender, Ottawa 67’s.

Mensator is having a decent season with the Ottawa 67’s. Although his numbers are down a little from last year, he is still the second best goaltending prospect in the organization. Mensator will most likely play his overage year with the 67’s in the Ontario Hockey League and from there will pay his dues in the minors.

Year	Team	League	GP	W	L	T	GAA	Sv %
2003-04	Ottawa	OHL	27	10	14	3	3.58	.895

 

#10. Tomas Mojzis, Defense, Manitoba Moose.

Mojzis was originally drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2001 NHL Draft. He was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in 2002 for forward Brad Leeb. Mojzis is playing in his first American Hockey League season after signing with the Canucks. Mojzis is having a solid year on the farm and is the Canucks second ranked defensive prospect.

Year	Team	League	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM
2003-04	Manitoba	AHL	28	2	7	9	-3	24

 

#11. Marc-Andre Bernier, Right wing, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

Bernier was the Canucks second round pick, 60th overall in the 2003 NHL Draft. Bernier is a big forward at 6’4”, but he does not play much of a physical game. This season he looks to better his goal total of last year, and is only nine points off. Bernier could be a power forward for the Canucks in the future if he works on his physical game.

Year	Team	League	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM
2003-04	Cape Breton	QMJHL	39	20	14	34		21

 

#12. Fedor Fedorov, Left wing, Manitoba Moose.

The younger brother of Anaheim star Sergei Fedorov, Fedor was having a good season offensively until the organization made him a healthy scratch. He was the leading scorer on the farm team and was called up to the pro roster until he had his falling out. The team is looking to trade the inconsistent sniper; he likely won’t bring back more than a mid round pick.

Year	Team	League	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM
2003-04	Manitoba	AHL	29	11	9	20	-5	36

 

#13. Francois-Pierre Guenette, Center, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

Guenette is part of the strong depth the Canucks have at center. Guenette is an offensive forward and is looking like he was a good pick for the Canucks in the seventh round of the 2003 NHL Draft. Guenette is a teammate of Marc-Andre Bernier, in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Year	Team	League	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM
2003-04	Cape Breton	QMJHL	43	26	32	58		14

 

#14. Jesse Schultz, Right wing, Columbia Inferno.

Schultz was signed by the Canucks in the off season as a free agent. He had his best year in the 2002-03 season when he was part of the Kelowna Rockets team that went to the Memorial Cup. Schultz had over 100 points in his last year in the Western Hockey League. He will likely finish the year in Columbia and try to make the jump to the Moose next season.

Year	Team	League	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM
2003-04	Columbia	ECHL	28	12	8	20		18
	Manitoba	AHL	2	0	1