2011 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL Draft Picks
The 2011 NHL Entry Draft is completed, and all seven rounds are in the books. Before we look ahead to free agency in the National Hockey League, let’s take a look at a team by team synopsis of all of this year’s draft picks. Find out who they are, what to expect from them, and when you can expect to see them putting on a sweater in the NHL. Also, each team will be graded on their overall performance during the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Let’s find out who the Columbus Blue Jackets drafted, after the jump.
Bryan Vickroy
Here are the six players drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
Boone Jenner (Rd 2, 37th overall)
| C | CAN | 6′ 1″ | 196 | OHL | Oshawa |
Big, aggresive power forward who isn’t afraid to crash the net. Has shown marked improvement each successive year. Strong forechecker and skilled working along the boards. Must improve his skating and mindset when struggling to become an elite NHL scorer.
Estimated Arrival: 2012-13
Thomas Tynan (Rd 3, 66th overall)
| C | USA | 5′ 8″ | 165 | CCHA | Notre Dame |
Was the leading scorer as a freshman for a Fighting Irish team who made it all the way to the Frozen Four. Fast skater and dynamic with the puck, will be a creative playmaker who will not only find his open teammates, but will make them better playing with them. Intelligent on and off the ice, and willing to play hard in both ends.
Estimated Arrival: 2013-14
Mike Reilly (Rd 4, 98th overall)
| D | USA | 5′ 11″ | 156 | HIGH-MN | Shattuck-St. Mary’s |
Smooth, efficient defenseman who can join the rush and contribute offensively. Always in position and does a great job of closing passing lanes. Rarely gets beaten, but must put on some size to be more physical in all areas of the ice. Reilly and his two brother will all attend the University of Minnesota.
Estimated Arrival: 2014-15
Seth Ambroz (Rd 5, 128th overall)
| RW | USA | 6′ 2″ | 209 | USHL | Omaha |
Scored 68 points in 22 games during one high school season in Minnesota. Scored 14 goals as a 15 year old rookie in the USHL. Big, strong, and difficult to move out of the slot, he also has soft hands to finish off goals. Will play for the Minnesota Golden Gophers this fall.
Estimated Arrival: 2014-15
Lukas Sedlak (Rd 6, 158th overall)
| C | CZE | 6′ 0″ | 198 | CZREP-JR. | C. Budejovice Jr. |
Big bodied center who excelled in the Czech junior league. Strong two way forward who is also strong inside the face off circle. Has the game to translate to the North American style of play. Good wrist shot, and can be a shutdown forward who will contribue points.
Estimated Arrival: 2015-16
Anton Forsberg (Rd 7, 188th overall)
| G | SWE | 6′ 2″ | 176 | SWE-JR. | Modo Jr. |
Will split time with a former NHLer next year in the Swedish Elite League. Tall, lanky goalie who has the frame to cover much of the net. Is signed with Modo for the next three years. Will be allowed to take time to develop into an NHL player.
Estimated Arrival: 2015-16
Synopsis
While the Blue Jackets weren’t involved with drafting anyone in the first round of the draft, they got their major upgrade on Thursday by acquiring Jeff Carter from Philadelphia. In the actual draft, Columbus appeared to focus on building with skilled, American college players. Obviously they will be smart and mature, but it will be seen if it translates to overall NHL success. In the end, the Blue Jackets used this draft time to try and change the culture of the organization. The moves Columbus made were moves to help immediately, and then again in about 3-4 years when this draft class completes college and makes their way to the pro game. Overall, Columbus did a good job of adding talent and interest to a team that dearly needed a major upgrade in both categories.
Grade: B-
Bryan Vickroy has an addiction to hockey, and is willing to partake in all its forms. He is skating extra shifts for The Sports Bank, covering the Minnesota Wild, the NHL, and NCAA hockey all year long. Look for new articles throughout the week. He can be followed on Twitter at @bryanvickroy. If you’d prefer to speak in more than 140 characters at a time to him, he can be reached at bryan.vickroy@gmail.com .