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The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League had two of its players selected during the 2004 Entry Draft, one player less than the three selected in 2003. Since 2000, there has always been an SJHL player selected in each draft.

2000: 1 SJHL player taken out of 293 total

2001: 2/289

2002: 2/290

2003: 3/292

2004: 2/291

Despite the low number of draftees, the SJHL has had some successful NHLers move on from the league. In 1981, a couple of solid defenseman were drafted from the SJHL, Prince Albert Raiders’ James Patrick went ninth overall to the New York Rangers and Moose Jaw Canucks’ Chris Chelios went 40^th overall to the Montreal Canadiens. In 1988 Notre Dame’s Rod Brind’Amour went ninth overall to Toronto and Humboldt’s Len Easu went 86^th to Toronto.

1989 saw Notre Dame’s Kent Manderville go 24^th overall to the Calgary Flames and the last noteable pick was in 1996 when Melfort’s Willie Mitchell went to New Jersey. Notre Dame has had a great deal of draft success and have had four players drafted in the past three years including 2004’s Andrew Gordon.

The SJHL has also had a number of NHLers come out of the league, but not get drafted out of it, they include: Bobby Clarke, Reggie Leach, Curtis Joseph, Scott Pellerin, Wade Brookbank, Ken Daneyko, Steve Konowalchuk, Brian Skrudland, Kelly Buchberger, Chris McAllister, Brett Clark and more.

Below is an examination of the two players taken in 2004, Justin Mrazek hailing from Saskatchewan and Andrew Gordon from Nova Scotia.

Andrew Gordon

Birthdate: December 13, 1985

Place of Birth: Halifax, Nova Scotia

Position: Right Wing

Shoots: Right

Height: 5-11

Weight: 180

Team: Notre Dame Hounds

Drafted: Washington Capitals, 7th Round, 197th overall

Like fellow East Coaster Brad Richards, right winger Andrew Gordon decided to move out west to Wilcox, Saskatchewan to play his Junior Hockey, and like Richards he’s a skilled and disciplined player. The 18-year-old from Porters Lake, Nova Scotia is a solid passer who could turn out to be a later round steal if he develops next season in St. Cloud where he earned himself an NCAA scholarship. He was one of the elite players in the SJHL last season, earning player of the week honors in February. Gordon was also named a star of the game for the Sherwood Conference during the SJHL All-Star game. His Triple-A stats from the 2001-2002 season were no doubt helped by playing on a line with phenom Sidney Crosby, but they were solid last season as well. Time will tell if Gordon can take his game to the next level and become a solid NHLer, but for now he’s a project.

Justin Mrazek

Birthdate: July 21, 1985

Place of Birth: Regina, Saskatchewan

Position: Goalie

Shoots: Left

Height: 6-3

Weight: 185

Team: Estevan Bruins

Drafted: Washington Capitals, 8th Round, 230th overall

The Washington Capitals looked to the SJHL a second time when they picked goaltender Justin Mrazek of the Estevan Bruins. Mrazek a tall goalie who covers a lot of net earned a scholarship to Union College after just one SJHL season tandeming with goalie Andew Arklie in Estevan.

In 2002-03 Mrazek backstopped the Yorkton Harvest to the Air Canada Cup Regional Championship and also earned the Top Goaltending Honor in the Tournament. Mrazek wasn’t ranked by the Central Scouting Bureau and his selection came as somewhat of a surprise. He is definitely a long shot prospect who could develop into a solid goalie with a few NCAA seasons under his belt.

In addition to Gordon and Mrazek, Aaron Boogaard spent over a month in the league awaiting an WHL deal. While not officially drafted out of the SJHL, he is worth of examination.

Aaron Boogaard

Birthdate: August 11, 1986

Place of Birth: Newmarket, Ontario

Position: Right Wing

Shoots: Right

Height: 6-2

Weight: 220

Team: Tri City Americans / Melville Millionaires

Drafted: Minnesota Wild, 6th Round, 175th overall

Boogaard wasn’t listed by Central Scouting in the final ratings and spent about a month with the Melville Millionaire during the season, waiting for a trade from the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen.

The Hitmen eventually dealt him to the Tri-City Americans.

Boogaard is a young power forward who can provide a physical presence. The younger brother of former Prince George tough guy Derek Boogaard and current Wild prospect, Aaron is big and strong with good skating skills. He is definitely another project for the Wild with some size.

Copyright 2004 Hockey’s Future. Do not duplicate without written permission of the editorial staff.