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Posted June 24, 2002
3 Ams drafted on Day 2
By René Ferrán
Herald staff writer
Three Tri-City Americans were selected on Day 2 of the National Hockey League draft Sunday, the franchise's largest contingent since 1998.
Goaltender Tyler Weiman went in the fifth round to the Colorado Avalanche, while forward Eric Johansson went one round later to the New Jersey Devils and defenseman Josh Morrow in the seventh round to the Nashville Predators.
In all, 44 Tri-City players have been selected by NHL teams in the franchise's
15-year history. The team had two players selected the past two seasons and one in 1999. Weiman was the highest-drafted player since Scott Gomez went in the first round to New Jersey in 1998, when the Ams had four players taken.
Weiman had been the lone American in the final NHL Central Scouting rankings - 14th among North American goaltenders - but both Johansson and Morrow had draft bona fides as well.
Johansson had been drafted two years ago by the Minnesota Wild in the eighth round but went unsigned and re-entered the draft this year. Morrow had been ranked at one time but dropped out toward the end of the season.
"This is a good day for our organization," said Ams general manager Bob Tory, who was in Toronto for the draft. "It's a good sign for us for next year to get three of our key guys drafted. It's a step in the right direction and another step in the road to credibility."
The Avalanche had been one of the teams showing the most interest in Weiman during the off-season. With three-time Vezina (top goaltender) and Conn Smythe (playoff MVP) trophy winner Patrick Roy turning 37 at the start of next season, Weiman joins the mix with David Aebischer and Phil Sauve as possible replacements.
"Colorado is my favorite hockey team, so to go there is a thrill," said Weiman, who was the Americans' playoff MVP after posting a 3.03 goals against average and franchise-record .910 save percentage. During the regular season, Weiman was 18-18-5-0 with a 3.59 GAA, a .896 save percentage and two shutouts.
Weiman, like Roy, is a butterfly-style goaltender, and he looks forward to getting to talk to Roy if he makes it through the Avalanche's rookie camp.
"There are many more challenges ahead that I need to overcome," Weiman said. "But hopefully I'll make it there and get to talk to him, learn some things from him, because I model myself after him."
Johansson earned a second draft selection after posting only the 12th 100-point season in franchise history, scoring 44 goals and 59 assists in 69 games. His 103 points ranked third in the Western Hockey League.
"You never know what will happen, but I think Eric getting by New Jersey helps us," Tory said. "New Jersey has a reputation for leaving guys in juniors to develop. They like guys with a lot of skill and Eric has a lot of skill."
Morrow was acquired from Medicine Hat at the trade deadline last season in the Sean Curry deal. In 30 games with Tri-Cities, Morrow had six goals and 12 assists before breaking his ankle in the final weekend of the regular season.
Overall, Morrow had 10 goals and 27 assists in 76 games between the Americans and Tigers.
"I think Josh will turn some heads at training camp because of how well he skates," Tory said. "Next year will be a real opportunity for him if he continutes to develop and mature the way that he has."
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