Garrett Clarke, a defenceman from Moncton, was claimed sixth overall by the Lewiston MAINEiacs. He stated all along that he would play junior A in the U.S. for the next two seasons and then move on to suit up for the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux.
That was just a smokescreen to make other teams shy away from him so that he would still be available come Lewiston's turn to pick. He admitted that he had been speaking to Lewiston for about six months and that he had committed to go there well in advance of the draft.
Clarke played this season for the Russell Stover under-18 team in Kansas City. He was fifth best in the QMJHL central scouting rankings. International Scouting Services rated him as the second best offensive defenceman available.
He didn't show up for the top prospects presentation on Friday. He said all along that he wouldn't be attending the draft, but then came out of hiding in the Zamboni tunnel when Lewiston announced his name.
Links to the saga
Times Transcipt article
WCH on Garrett Clarke (some of the comments are hilarious)
No comments:
Post a Comment