In a National Hockey League entry draft that was pegged as relatively even between, say, the 20th and 50th picks, Landon Ferraro was a victim of that volatile environment during Friday’s opening round at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
The Red Deer Rebels sniper went into the lottery ranked No. 18 among North American skaters and Bob McKenzie of TSN, in his mock draft, had the 18-year-old centre ranked 26th.
Ferraro, as a guest tweeter with TSN, was clearly excited as he walked into the home of the Montreal Canadiens Friday evening.
“Just got into the building and they are going over the roll call,” he exulted at 5:04 MDT. “Couldn’t have ever imagined the noise when Montreal was called.”
His mood hadn’t changed five minutes later.
“One of the coolest events I have ever been a part of,” he relayed.
But the five-foot-11, 165-pound centre was not among the 30 players selected in the first round and returned to his hotel room four hours later somewhat dejected but confident he’d hear his name called in the second round this morning.
“I’m disappointed but it’s not going to change anything. I’m still going to end up getting picked by an NHL team although I’m curious as to where I’m going to go,” said Ferraro, who fired 37 goals for the Rebels last season.
“It doesn’t change the fact that I’m going to be back in Red Deer next season. I’ll train hard during the summer and make sure I have a good year there.”
Rebels forwards Cass Mappin and Willie Coetzee, along with netminder Darcy Kuemper, are other draft probabilties/possibilities today. Mappin is ranked 73rd among North American skaters by Central Scouring, while Coetzee is listed at No. 132 and Kuemper is ranked ninth among goaltenders.
Tommi Kivisto, who was on the Red Deer blueline last season but has since signed with Jokerit Helsinki in his native Finland, is ranked 119th by Central Scouting.
gmeachem@www.reddeeradvocate.com