Both Derek Grant and Taylor Stefishen knew they could be selected in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. However, like most prospects, neither had much of an inclination of exactly when the big moment would occur. It was that uncertainty that had both young players watching from home as opposed to making a trip to Ottawa to find out in person.
Grant, Langley’s Rookie of the Year and second leading scorer, was projected to be picked anywhere from the second to fourth round. Stefishen, the Chiefs leading scorer, was thought to end up somewhere between the third and fifth rounds.
With strong interest from a number of teams Derek Grant’s call came late in the fourth round with the host Ottawa Senators tabbing the Abbotsford native with the 119th overall pick.
“I had no idea who was going to take me,” Grant exclaimed just after the selection “it’s just exciting to have this opportunity, and with a Canadian team too. There is still a lot of work to do but right now I’m just excited.”
Grant will have one more year in Langley with the Chiefs before heading to Michigan State for the 2009-2010 season.
Stefishen did not have to wait much longer that his linemate as he was grabbed just seventeen spots later at 136th overall by the Nashville Predators. The North Vancouver product was the team’s leading scorer this past year and also appeared in his first BCHL All-Star game. Taylor is off to play for the Ohio State Buckeyes next year where I am sure the Predators are hoping he further develops like Buckeye alumni Ryan Kesler and RJ Umberger.
“I’m happy to be taken,” Stefishen continued by noting he thought it might be Nashville “I thought it might be the Predators just because they seemed to have spent a lot of time talking to me and getting to know me. It’s a great feeling but now that the Draft has come and gone I have to re-focus on next year at Ohio and just keep trying to improve.”
For Head Coach and General Manager Harvey Smyl, it means two more players from his program have the chance to carry the Chiefs tradition to the National Hockey League,
“Obviously we are just happy for the both of them. They are both great kids and have worked extremely hard since being with us to improve their game in hopes of taking it to that next level – something I truly believe they both can do.”
Smyl has seen his players in this position before with former Chiefs such as Shawn Horcoff, Jeff Tambellini and Wade Dubielewicz all playing in the NHL currently.
Grant and Stefishen weren’t the only BCHL players to go in the draft on Saturday as four others were swooped up along the way. Justin Schulz of the Westside Warriors was the first player out of BC taken at 43rd by the Anaheim Ducks. The top ranked player from the BCHL (before the draft), Zac Dalpe from the Penticton Vees went shortly after to the Carolina Hurricanes at 45th overall.
From their followed the two Chiefs forwards and two players who were not previously ranked; Trail Smoke Eaters goaltender Grant Rollheiser got picked with the 158th overall choice by the Toronto Maple Leafs and Penticton Vees captain and forward Brett Hextall went immediately after (159th overall) to the Phoenix Coyotes finalizing another successful draft for the British Columbia Hockey League.
On behalf of the entire Langley Chiefs organization, we would like to congratulate Derek and Taylor on their selection to the NHL as well as all the other BCHL players who were chosen on Saturday in Ottawa.
