Democrat and Chronicle from Rochester, New York • Page 45

DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2001 7D NHL DRAFT REPORT SELECTIONS Thrashers take Russian first 4 i i ry THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SUNRISE, Fla. The Atlanta Thrashers made Ilya Kovalchuk the first Russian ever chosen No. 1 in the NHL entry draft yesterday, moments before the Ottawa Senators traded Alexei Yashin to the New York Islanders for the second pick. Ottawa selected center Jason Spezza, the top-rated North American player, after sending Yashin to the Islanders for the pick, defenseman Zdeno Chara, and forward Bill Muckalt. "We've got so many draft picks in our stable of young players," Islanders general manager Mike Milbury said.

"It's time for us to advance the cause." Kovalchuk's draft stock started rising when he had 11 goals and 4 assists in 6 games during the World Under-18 Championship in Finland this spring. "We made a decision this was the best fit for our franchise and best for the future of our franchise," Thrashers general manager Don Waddell said. Kovalchuk, 6-feet-2 and 207 pounds, was one of three 18-year-old Russians selected in the top five picks. With the third pick, Tampa Bay took physical Russian center Alexander Svitov. Florida selected Canadian center Stephen Weiss, and Anaheim then got Russian winger Stanislav Chistov at No.

5. Svitov had 8 goals, 6 assists and 115 penalty minutes in 39 games with Avangard Omsk of the Russian League last season. "This was the most complete player in the draft," Lightning general manager Rick Dudley said. "I think if there's anybody in the draft that can play in the has the skill of Florida's Pavel Bure and the toughness of San Jose's Owen Nolan. Kovalchuk's father enrolled him in hockey school at age 5, and he has been dominating defenses since.

He scored 70 goals in league, exhibition and tournament play in 1999-00. Kovalchuk was most impressive at the World Under-18 Championship, when he led the Russians to the title. Spezza, who broke into the Ontario Hockey League at 15, had been touted as the top pick but slipped slightly because of questions about his skating. "It's unbelievable growing up in Canada and getting the chance to play on the A' team," Spezza said. "And it's pretty special for my family.

It's close to home. I'm really excited." With the sixth pick, the Minnesota Wild took center Mikko Koivu, the brother of Montreal Canadiens captain Saku Koivu. The Canadiens followed by picking defenseman Mike Komisarek from the University of Michigan. The first American selected, Komisarek plays like Scott Stevens with a bruising, hard-hitting style. The Columbus Blue Jackets selected the first goaltender at No.

8, Pascal Leclaire, the top-rated North American goalie by NHL Central Scouting. The Chicago Blackhawks took center Tuomo Ruutu from Finland with the ninth pick. The New York Rangers then got the second goalie when they took Dan Blackburn. "I've known about this guy for a long time," Rangers general manager Glen Sather said. "He's a great goaltender.

We had him rated No. 1 overall among the goaltenders." Ml i MM I ilillif iV MMI I MIIIHIII llll I I IIMIHm I Ilya Kovalchuk. is the first Russian to go No. 1 overall. He is one of three 18-year-old Russians taken in the top five.

NOTEBOOK Wings 'unlikely' to get Lindros There was a buzz yesterday at the NHL entry draft when Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland and Philadelphia Flyers GM Bobby Clarke met on the floor and whispered something to each other. Was the Eric Lindros trade about to be finalized? Not quite. "He was actually telling me a good joke he had just heard," Holland said. A joke might be a good way of describing the thought of Lindros ever wearing a Red Wings sweater. Holland came close to ending the Wings' interest in Lindros who, according to unsubstantiated radio reports Friday, would be joining the Wings.

"It's highly unlikely he's going to be a Red Wing," Holland said. "I don't know if I'm interested in Eric Lindros. I haven't said yes or no. There's a lot to it." Holland said the reports of a trade being close Friday were untrue. "It's been blown completely out of proportion," Holland said.

Holland said he met with Eric Lindros and his father Carl, who serves as Eric's agent, in Toronto on Monday at the Lindros' request. But Holland said he didn't speak with Clarke in the days leading up to the draft. "I don't know if I've spoken more than 10 minutes to Bob Clarke since March," Holland said. Lindros, 28, is a restricted free agent who hasn't played since Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals in May, 2000. In that game, New Jersey Devils' defenseman Scott Stevens leveled Lindros with an open-ice hit, causing Lindros' sixth concussion in four seasons.

Lindros held out this season, refusing the Flyers $8.5 million qualifying offer. Kid Kovalchuk When Ilya Kovalchuk was 3, his father gave him the Valeri Kovalchuk workout program. "I give him practice exercises for coordination," the elder Kovalchuk said through an interpreter. "Just jumps, acrobatics. Ilya did very well.

When he was 7, 1 knew he would be great." If Valeri Kovalchuk is Russia's fatherly version of Marv Mari-novich, the Thrashers' sincere hope is that Ilya pans out better than young Todd did. Certainly, they are convinced of it. After selecting Kovalchuk with the first overall pick in Saturday's draft, Thrashers general manager Don Waddell said, "He's the first pick in three years that our staff was in 100 percent agreement on." Kovalchuk isn't lacking in confidence. It's no certainty he will play in the NHL next season but said his goal is "to win the Calder" as rookie of the year. "I understand it's a young team but I will do the best I can to make the team a lot better.

I wanted to be on this team." Yashin-to-Islanders caps busy day NHL Draft Ust At Sunrise, Fla. First Round 1. Atlanta, Ilya Kovalchuk, Russia, 2. Ottawa (Irom N.Y. Islanders), Jason Spezza, Windsor (OHL).

3. Tampa Bay. Alexander Svitov, Russia. 4. Florida, Stephen Weiss, Plymouth (OHL).

5. Anaheim. Stanislav Chistov. t. Russia.

6. Minnesota. Mikko Koivu, Finland. 7. Montreal, Mike Komisarek, Michigan.

8. Columbus. Pascal Leclaire. Halifax (QMJHL). 9.

Chicago, Tuomo Ruutu. Finland. 10. N.Y. Rangers, Dan Blackburn, g.

Kootenay (WHL). 11. Phoenix (Irom Cat Frednk Systran, rw, Sweden. 12. Nashville.

Dan Hamhuis. d. Prince George (WHL). 13. Edmonton (from Boston), Ales Hemsky, rw, Hull (QMJHL).

14. Calgary (Irom Phoenix), Chuck Kobasew, rw. Boston College. 15. Carolina, Igor Knyazev, d.

Russia, 16. Vancouver. R.J. Umberger, 0 Ohio State. 17.

Toronto, Carlo Coiaiacovo, Ene (0HL. 18 Los Angeles, Jens Karlsson. rw, Sweden, 19. Boston (Irom Shaone Mornsonn, Kam-loops (WHL). 20 San Jose.

Marcel Goc, c. Germany. 21. Pittsburgh, Colby Armstrong, rw. Red Deer (WHL).

22. Buffalo, Jin Novotny, c. Czech Republic, 23. Ottawa (Irom Philadelphia), Tim Gleason, Windsor (OHL). 24.

Florida (trom New Jersey through St. Louis), Lukas Krajicek, d. Petersborough (OHL). 25 Montreal (trom Washington), Alexander Perezho-gin. Russia.

26. Dallas. Jason Bacashihua, g. Chicago (NAHL). 27.

Philadelphia (Irom Jeff Woywitka. Red Deer (WHL). 26 New Jersey. Adrian Foster, Iw. Saskatoon (WHL).

29. Chicago (trom Detroit), Adam Munro, Erie (OHL). 30. Los Angeles (Irom Colorado), David Steckel. 0 Ohio State.

Second Round 31 Phoenix (from N.Y. Islanders). Matthew Spiller. Seattle (WHL), 32 Buffalo (Irom TB), Derek Roy. c.

Kitchener (OHL). 33. Nashville (from AH), Timolei Shiskanov. Russia. 34 Florida, Greg Watson, c-lw Pnnce Albert (WHL).

35. Anaheim, Mark Popovic. d. Toronto St. Michael (OHL).

36. Minnesota. Kyle Wanvig. rw. Red Deer (WHL).

37 Montreal, Duncan Milroy, rw. Swift Current iWHL). 38 Columbus, Tim Jackman, rw. Mankato State. 39.

Toronto (trom Chicago). Karel Pilar, Czech Republic. 40. New York Rangers. Fedor Tjutin, Russia.

41. Calgary. Andrei Taratukhm, c-f. Russia. 42.

Nashville, Tomas Slovak, Slovakia. 43. Edmonton (from Boston). Doug Lynch, Red Deer (WHL). 44.

New Jersey (from Phoenix), Igor Pohanka, Pnnce Albert (WHL). 45. Phoenix, Martin Podiesak. c. Lethbndge (WHL).

46. Carolina, Michael Zigomams. c. Kingston (OHL). 47.

Tampa Bay (trom Vancouver). Alexander Polu-shin, c-lw, Russia. 48 New Jersey (from Vancouver), Thomas Pihlman, Finland. 49. Los Angeles (from Toronto).

Mike Cammallen. c. Michigan. 50. Buffalo, Chns Thorburn, c.

North Bay (OHL). 51. Los Angeles. Jaroslav Bednar. c.

Czech Republic. 52. Edmonton. Edwaid Caron. Iw.

Phillips Exeter Prep 53. Columbus (trom San Jose), Kiel McLeod. c. Ke-lowna (WHL). 54.

Pittsburgh. Noah Welch, St. Sebastien's iMass HS 55. Buffalo, Jason Pominville, rw, Shawinigan (QMJHL). 56.

Calgary (trom Philadelphia). Andrei Medvedev g. Russia. 57. St.

Louis. Jay McClement, c. Brampton (OHL) 58. Washington, Nathan Paetsch. d.

Moose Jaw (WHL). 59. Chicago (trom Dallas). Matt Keith, rw, Spokane (WHL). 60.

New Jersey (from Ottawa). Victor Uchevatov. Russia. 61. Tampa Bay (from New Jersey).

Andreas Holmq-vist, d. Sweden. 62. Detroit. Igor Grigorenko.

rw. Russia 63. Colorado, Peter Buda, Toronto St. Michael's (OHL) Third Round 64. Florida (trom Y.

Islanders). Tomas Malec, Rimouski (QMJHL) 65. Toronto (Irom TBV Brendan Bell. d. Ottawa (OHL).

66. Vancouver (trom Atlanta), Fedor Fedorov. iw. Sud bury (OHL). 67.

New Jersey, Robin Leblanc, rw, Baie Comeau (QMJHL). 68 Flonda. Grant McNeill, Pnnce Albert (WHL). 69 Anaheim, Joel Stepp, c-lw, Red Deer (WHL). 70.

Dallas (trom Minn Yared Hagos, c. Sweden. 71. Montreal. Tomas Plekanec.

Iw Czech Republic. 72. New Jersey (trom Columbus), Brandon Nolan, c-Iw. Oshawa lOHL). 73.

Chicago. Craig Andersson, g. Guelph (OHL). 74. Minnesota (from Y.

Rangersi. Chris Heid. d. Spokane (WHL). 75.

Nashville (from Calgary), Denis Platonov, no position, Russia. 76. Nashville. Oliver Setzmger. c.

Finland. 77. Boston. Darren McLachlan, Iw, Seattle (WHL) 78. Phoenix.

Beat Schiess-Forster d. Switzerland. 79. Y. Rangers ftrom Carolina), Garth Murrav.

c-lw. Regina (WHL) 80. Atlanta (from Vancouverl, Michael Garnett. Saskatoon (WHL). 81.

Ottawa (trom New Jersey). Neil Komadoski d. Notre Dame. 82. Toronto.

Jay Harnson, d. Brampton I0HL). 83. Los Angeles, Hennk Juntunen. rw.

Finland. 84. Edmonton. Kenny Smith, d. Harvard.

85. Columbus (from San Jose), Aaron Johnson, Rimouski (QMJHL). 86. Pittsburgh, Drew Fata. d.

Toronto St. Michael's (OHL). 87. Columbus (from Buffalo). Per Mars.

Sweden, 88. Toronto (from Philadelphiai, Nicolas Corbeil. c. Sherbrooke (QMJHL). 89.

St. Louis. Tuomas Nissinen, Finland 90. Washington, Owen Fussey rw Calgary (WHL) 91. Carolina.

Kevin Estrada. Iw Chiiliwack (BCJHL). 92. Dallas, Anthony Aquino, rw, Mernmack. 93.

Minnesota (trom Ottawa), Stephane Veilleux, Val d'Or (QMJHL). 94. Tampa Bay (trom N.J.), Eugeni Artukhm. rw. Russia.

95. Philadelphia (from Detroit through Nashville). Pat-nek Sharp, c. Vermont. 96 Pittsburgh, Alexandre Rouleau, Val dOr (QMJHL).

97. Colorado, Danny Bois, rw, London (OHL). fe2EEHI3IHD Ages 55 WEEKDAY SPECIAL $16-1 8 holes wcart Lunch A Beverage I tee oh before 1 pm) Hickory Ridge Golf Country Club Call 638-4653 or Toll Free 888-346-5458 15816 Lynch Road off Rt. 31. Holley GENEVA All prices plus tax, title and document fees.

Prices include all rebates and incentives. horizon. Jaromir Jagr, a five-time scoring champion, has asked to be traded. But Penguins general manager Craig Patrick said he doesn't think a deal will get done this weekend. Several reports had Eric Lindros being traded to Detroit yesterday morning, but Red Wings coach Scotty Bowman denied those rumors before the draft.

Yashin, 27, can become a restricted free agent on July 1. The Russian made $3.6 million last season and is looking to sign an $8-million deal for next year. He sat out the entire 1999-2000 season because he felt he was underpaid in the final year of his contract. He returned to Ottawa to play this past season. Said Regier: "We are the ones who know best what Michael Peca's value is, and we're going to get fair value.

I don't think we should be held to any time line, nor will we." IP 1 nniicn gvu wwnss Mon. through Frl. I I 529 629 I '25 18 holes 12 cart I '20 Seniors 18 holes 12 cart I I Present this coupon 4 regulars play fori '80 4 Seniors play for '70 Call 226-8210 for tee times I Rt 39Avon Would You Drive 40 Minutes The Associated Press speed." Kovalchuk and Spezza are expected to make immediate impacts. Kovalchuk became Atlanta's second No. 1 pick in three years.

With the top pick in 1999, the Thrashers chose Czech forward Patrik Stefan. They had the second pick last year and took Canadian forward Dany Heatley. The fourth-year franchise is hoping to build for the future through the draft. Kovalchuk was the consensus No. 1 pick.

The Thrashers say he Bure brothers, Valeri and Pavel, for the first time in their NHL careers. Florida also traded two second-round picks, Nos. 44 and 48, to New Jersey for the Devils' first-round selection. The Panthers then picked Russian defenseman Lukas Krajicek. The Panthers also sent the rights to unsigned center Jiri Dopita to Philadelphia for the Flyers' second-round pick.

Dopita was drafted by Boston in 1992 and the New York Islanders in 1998 but couldn't reach terms. The Islanders traded his rights to Florida last year for a fifth-round draft pick. Florida's final move was to swap picks with the Islanders to move up in the third round. Bigger trades could be on the more heart than anyone in the draft. Rated 59th by THN.

Second round: Chris Thor-burn. Chosen 50th. North Bay (OHL). 6-2, 190. Age 18.

Native of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. Projected to be a two-way forward with limited scoring. Dropped from 13th at midsea-son to 26th in Central Scout-ing's final ratings. Ranked 36th by THN.

Second round: Jason Pom-inville. Chosen 55th. RW, Shawinigan (QMJHL). 5-11, 174. Scored 46 goals, 67 assists.

Rated 22nd by Central Scouting. a situation he likes he can retire." Peca was expecting a trade this weekend, but he probably won't be dealt until after July 1, when unrestricted free agents become available and teams determine needs. "There are teams in the NHL that made serious, serious offers for Michael Peca, so I have no idea what their rationale is," Don Meehan, Peca's agent, told the Empire Sports Network. ISLAND OAKS Tuesday 1 hursday Specials 18 Holes with 12 -A ipnmrc 5 Si Oil Call for tee times 624-5490 Cardinal Creek -GoirClubl; S20 1(1 holes wnirl (iem'ml 1'ithitr S17 18 holes earl SrtnoM nm is 7 1) us wiw Mnrliiimlisi'. I hiring Hi mm' Dates Artiilablc lionil W't Huh ivKtt.

1-H20 NHL next year it's him." The Panthers, to the delight of the home crowd at the National Car Rental Center, drafted Weiss. Weiss, compared to Joe Sakic and Steve Yzerman, had 40 goals and 47 assists in 62 games last season. Chistov had five goals and one assist in seven games for Russia at the world junior hockey championships in January. "He'll take a year or two (to develop)," Ducks general manager Pierre Gauthier said. "But he's got great hands and great It was the first deal on a busy day of trades.

The St. Louis Blues traded goalie Roman Turek and a fourth-round pick to the Calgary Flames for goalie Fred Brathwaite, winger Daniel Tkaczuk, forward Sergei Varlamov and a ninth-round pick. "We feel it's a significant upgrade to our goaltending," Flames general manager Craig Button said. "We felt if we continue to improve in that area, that we're going to move ahead." The Florida Panthers were one of the busiest teams on the first day of the two-day draft, making four trades. They traded center Rob Niedermayer and a second-round pick to Calgary for wingers Valeri Bure and Jason Wiemer.

The move unites the Sabres picks First round: Jiri Novotny. Chosen 22nd overall. Czech Elite. 6-2, 194. Age 17.

Great passer who plays with determination. Captain of the Czech Under-18 team. Projected to be a good two-way forward. Rated 17th by The Hockey News. Second round: Derek Roy.

Chosen 32nd overall. Kitchener (OHL). 5-8, 187. Age 18. Native of Rockland, Ontario.

Size is his deficiency, but he is an exceptional skater and fierce competitor. Some scouts said he plays with development season with the Amerks. Blues center Marty Reasoner, the Honeoye Falls resident, remains a part of Hasek-to-St. Louis rumors. Regier wouldn't divulge which teams are interested, saying only that talks continue.

The ideal situation is for the interested team to agree to contract terms with Hasek this week and spare the Sabres the decision of picking up Hasek's $9 million option by June 30. By contract, Hasek, 36, can't refuse a trade. But Regier said the reigning Vezina Trophy winner will be given a say in any trade out of respect, "and because, at his age, if he doesn't get 10 kl, SflC cart included fcQ3 IO IIUIO A (Monday West -18 holes $20 Call For Tee Times East 265-1201 West 265-1307 crart included I Monday fnday I JWIIIIIWIIMIIIII THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SUNRISE, Fla. Alexei Yashin was the first big-name player traded at this weekend's NHL draft. He wasn't the last.

Disgruntled with his current contract, Yashin was traded from Ottawa to the New York Islanders for the second pick in the NHL draft yesterday. The Senators then selected forward Jason Spezza, the top-rated player in North America. Ottawa also received forward Bill Muckalt and defenseman Zdeno Chara. "We've turned the page," Senators general manager Marshall Johnston said. "Alexei was with our franchise, contributed to the early success of our franchise and we wish him the best." Sabres FROM PAGE ID of size and feistiness.

But his 42 goals and 39 assists in 65 games for Kitchener say he's a more complete player. "The offensive side of Roy with all due respect to Scotty is quite a bit higher," Regier said. Three rounds were completed yesterday, with 97 selections. The draft finishes today, and the Sabres have just two more picks, 140th overall and 247th. Thus, Regier may spend more time talking trade, perhaps with the St.

Louis Blues. The Blues became an even stronger candidate to obtain Hasek when they traded their much-criticized starting goalie, Roman Turek, to the Calgary Flames for goalie Frank Brathwaite and minor-league center Daniel Tkachuk. Believing they're only a star goalie away from being a strong Stanley Cup contender, the Blues won't head into next season with Brathwaite and Brent Johnson as their goalies. But including Johnson, or Brathwaite, in a deal for Hasek would enable the Sabres to make Martin Biron their No. 1 goalie and allow Mika Noronen to play a necessary third GOLFERS' SPECIAL Includes 18 Holes Cart Weekdays Till 2:00 pm $20 (Wednesdays until noon) Weekends After Noon $24 pp 2 Player Minimum 1 Livingston Country Club 243-4430 Located on RL 20A 2 miles west of 390 (Exit 8).

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Cujo II? Dan Blackburn, the goalie drafted by the Rangers, said he plays a style similar to that of Curtis Joseph of the Maple Leafs. According to the NHL's Central Scouting bureau, Blackburn is "a good skater with excellent flexibility, agility and lateral movement" who "plays a semi-butterfly style and has an extremely quick recovery from scrambles." The report went on to praise Blackburn's angle play, which makes him "appear bigger than he is." The report lists Blackburn, 18, as 6 feet tall and 180 pounds. "He has a very quick glove hand and good overall rebound control," the report continued. "Makes effective use of the paddle-down technique in close and on wraparounds." The report also praised his ability to pass to teammates and challenge shooters. "A businesslike approach to the game," the report concluded.

"A big-game goaltender." Blackburn said that he has been playing junior hockey since age 14 and that he did not think it was too far-fetched for him to make the Rangers in the near future. "I've always been a couple years ahead of everybody," Blackburn said. When the Rangers brought him in for a follow-up interview on Friday, Blackburn said they told him they were "looking for a goalie who can step up as soon as possible." WIRE SERVICES HUGE SELECTION. LOW OVERHEAD. MASSIVE SAVINGS.

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