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Kris Russell, D, Medicine Hat Tigers, WHL

Height: 5'10    Weight: 167 lbs

D.O.B: 1987-05-02

Drafted 67th overall by the Blue Jackets in the 2005 draft, the 5'10, 167 lbs Russell, captain of the Medicine Hat Tigers, is not the biggest player on his team, but is certainly one of the most talented.  At this point early in the 2005-06 season, he again finds himself amongst the leaders in the WHL scoring race as a defenseman.  Last year, his second as a junior player and second with the Tigers, he played a mere 1.3 times more games than his first, but tripled his point production and shared the team lead in plus/minus.  These statistics put him ahead of such draft notables as Cam Barker and Clarke MacArthur in both categories.  

Russell represented Canada in the U18 Junior World Cup in August of 2004, and has been short-listed to do so again for Canada's U20 team.   

Derek Reinhart, D, Regina Pats WHL

Height: 6'3 Weight: 204lbs

D.O.B: 1987-04-20

Derek Reinhart, Columbus' sixth selection, 177th overall in the 2005 Entry Draft is a big, mean stay at home defenseman who doesn't shy away from physical play and has the minutes to prove it. He was tied for ninth in the WHL  last year for penalty minutes.  

This year, in Reinhart's first professional camp with the Blue Jackets, the young defenseman made an indelible impression upon the team.  During intrasquad scrimmage Reinhart went head to head with Columbus superstar Rick Nash. In the ensuing play the two got tangled up in the corner and Nash fell feet first into the boards injuring his ankle and keeping him out of the first three weeks of the 2004-05 season. 

If Reinhart hopes to make another impact at his next camp with the Jackets, he must maintain this type of physical play (preferably with the opposition's players) as that what got him drafted in the first place. So far this year Reinhart is  +2 and has 28 minutes in penalties.  

Trevor Hendrikx, D, Peterborough Petes, OHL

Height: 6'2    Weight: 205 lbs

D.O.B: 1985-03-29

Originally drafted in the seventh round by Columbus in 2003,  Hendrikx re-entered the 2005 draft as an overage player and was subsequently taken again by the Blue Jackets as their last pick.  

Since his initial draft year, Hendrikx has managed to pack 15 pounds onto his 6'2 frame, making him a more physical presence, he has also improved his overall point totals and decreased his total penalty minutes from an average of 3.3 minutes per game to just under a minute and a half per game.  

His regular season play was not the only one to improve either.  In 14 postseason games with Peterborough last year, Hendrickx was tied for second on the team with 12 points (5 goals and 7 assists).  After nine games he is anchoring the Petes defense with a modest +5 rating and scoring close to a point a game.   

Jared Boll, RW, Plymouth Whalers, OHL

Height: 6'3    Weight: 195 lbs

D.O.B: 1986-05-13 

This fiercely competitive right winger was drafted in the fourth round, 101st overall in the 2005 Entry Draft.  Previously, he spent two seasons with Lincoln in the USHL.  

One of Boll's coaches at Lincoln told HF that Boll is power forward in the mold of Brendan Shanahan and that, potentially, he has the ability to score 20 goals a year while spending about 150 to 200 minutes in the penalty box.  This is Boll's first season in the OHL, and in 14 games so far this year, he has nine points, a -2 rating and 42 PIM. 

A competitive nature is important, but it can be a double edged sword.  Another area he must improve on is keeping his emotions in check, as his former coach said, "sometimes you have to calm him down, so his emotions don’t get the best of him." 

Dan LaCosta, G, Barrie Colts, OHL

Height: 6'3    Weight: 195 lbs

D.O.B: 1986-03-28 

Dan LaCosta was selected in the third round by the Jackets in the 2004 draft.  Entering his second season with the Colts, he spent the last three seasons with the Owen Sound Attack.  So far this season, he has posted a 7-3-0 record with a 2.67 GAA and a .921 save percentage, placing him second among goaltenders in the OHL.  2004-05 saw LaCosta tied for second place among goaltenders in the OHL with 25 wins in 46 games.  

LaCosta was one of two Blue Jackets prospects to be selected from throughout the CHL to participate in the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge.  He will be representing team OHL for their two games against the Russian Selects November 24th in Kitchener and November 28th in Peterborough. 

Kyle Wharton, D, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, OHL

Height: 6'2  Weight: 189 lbs

D.O.B: 1986-03-3

Smooth-skating defensive defenseman Kyle Wharton is the other Blue Jackets prospect selected to play on Team OHL for the Canada-Russia Challenge at the end of the month.  Drafted by the Blue Jackets 59th overall in the second round in 2004, Wharton played his first two seasons with the Ottawa 67's before being traded midway through his third to the Greyhounds. 

Wharton is very adept at lateral movement has a breakout pass and a shot from the point that make him a valuable component of the Greyhound power play.  He has 10 points in 16 games from the backline already, on pace to easily eclipse last year's total of 16.

Adam McQuaid, D, Sudbury Wolves, OHL

Height: 6'3 Weight: 210 lbs

D.O.B: 1986 -10 -12 

Adam McQuaid was Columbus's second pick, taken 55th overall, in 2005.  This aggressive defenseman is entering his third season with the Sudbury Wolves.  He is a good skater who logs a lot of ice time.  He is also a smart player who exhibits patience with the puck while waiting for opportunities to develop.  He has a hard outlet pass, necessary for an efficient transition game that go tape to tape and he is used in all game situations.     

Philippe Dupuis, C, Moncton, QMJHL

Height: 6'0 Weight: 195 lbs

D.O.B: 1985-04-24

The Blue Jackets' fifth pick, 104th overall in the 2003 draft, center Philippe Dupuis has moved around.  His junior career began in Hull where he played two seasons.  He was then traded to Gatineau posting 55 points in 60 games.  The following season in Rouyn-Noranda saw him really develop as he accumulated 84 points in 62 games ranking him among the leaders in the QMJHL.  Prior to the offseason he was traded to Moncton.  

The Wildcats gambled on the trade to acquire the QMJHL rights for Dupuis in the hopes that he would play his final season of junior eligibility, and in a twist of fate the gamble paid off.  In camp, the centerman sustained a concussion, which prohibited him from showcasing his abilities.  This compelled General Manager Doug MacLean to send Dupuis back to the QMJHL where he felt Dupuis would benefit most by taking on more of a leadership role as a veteran player with Moncton.

Playing for coach Ted Nolan, Dupuis has 13 points in eight games. 

Adam Pineault, C, Moncton, QMJHL

Height: 6'3 Weight: 202 lbs

D.O.B: 1986-05-23 

Adam Pineault, occasional linemate of  Philippe Dupuis, played one season for Boston College recording 8 points in 28 games before coming to Moncton.  As a rookie in 2004-05 he posted 46 points in 61 games and was +12.  He was drafted by the Jackets in 2004 in the second round.  

Pineault is the prototypical power forward who works well in corners, and who is at his best when he plays a physical game, wearing down his opponents with an aggressive forecheck.  He played with Team USA at the WJC and is a candidate to play for the American squad again this year.  In addition to helping Moncton win, Pineault's personal goal for this year is to get more points than he did in his rookie campaign.  So far he has scored five points in four games this year.   

Peter Pohl, RW, Acadie-Bathurst, QMJHL

Height: 5'11 Weight: 170 lbs

D.O.B: 1986-08-28

Small, quick forward, Peter Pohl played the two previous seasons with Gatineau. This season with Acadie-Bathurst Pohl is again lighting it up with 30 points in 18 games, ranking him ninth in points in the QMJHL.  He is also lighting it up in the penalty box as he seems to be playing a bit more aggressively. His 23 minutes are the most he has seen in junior play and the season is not even a third of the way through.  

The young Czech is a great skater who has very good hockey sense and plays in all game situations.  Pohl was selected in the fifth round of the 2004 Entry Draft.

Justin Vienneau, D, Shawnigan, QMJHL

Height: 6'4 Weight: 220 lbs

D.O.B: 1986-02-20 

Vienneau, a stay at home defenseman, was drafted in the seventh round, 198th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2004.  In 16 games so far this season this bruising defenseman has recorded 6 assists, putting him just five assists shy of his career high set last year. His 54 penalty minutes rank him tied for eighth in the league.

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