Keeping an eye on the NHL draft
With the 2008 NHL entry draft starting Friday (June 20), Minnesota high school hockey fans will recognize many of the faces drafted including Roseau’s Aaron Ness and Minnetonka’s Jake Gardiner. Three south metro skaters are also drawing attention from scouts including Eastview’s Corey Finehage, Rosemount’s Luke McManus and Burnsville’s Tyler Barnes. According to NHL.com’s Central Scouting rankings, Gardiner is slotted at No. 23 with Ness at No. 27. Finehage at No. 36, Barnes at No. 114 and McManus at No. 161. All of the players have signed on with WCHA teams, but will look towards one season in the USHL before going to their respective NCAA Division-I clubs. The first two rounds of the draft are set to start at 7 p.m. Friday and carry on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. with rounds 2-7.
