He’s excelled at everything he’s done since then, and as a result he’s made everyone else from that draft class a bit of an afterthought. The Leafs‘ second pick that summer also wasn’t until the third round, when they selected defenceman Rinat Valiev, who went on to shine for the Kootenay Ice last year and hopes to make the Marlies this season.
Drafted next – in the fourth round – was John (J.J.) Piccinich of the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL, an offensive winger who was committed to play at Boston University with Jack Eichel.