Manitobans marked for NHL success

Enlarge Image

Winnipeg's Brendan Leipsic was selected by the Nashville Predators in the 2012 NHL draft. (FILE PHOTO)

PITTSBURGH - A foursome of Manitobans have been selected at the 2012 NHL Draft with goalie Chris Driedger going to the Ottawa Senators, forward Jordan Martinook to the Phoenix Coyotes, forward Brendan Leipsic to the Nashville Predators and defenceman Travis Brown to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Martinook was selected 59th overall by the Coyotes.

Driedger went 76th overall to the Sens while Leipisc went 89th to the Preds.

Winnipeg’s Brown of the Moose Jaw Warriors was selected 149th overall by the Blackhawks.

Driedger, born in Winnipeg, plays with the Calgary Hitmen in the Western Hockey League while Leipsic skates for the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks.

The Predators traded up to get Leipsic.

"We really liked the player and were worried he wouldn’t be there when we picked so we moved up," said Predators coach Barry Trotz.

Leipsic has been selected to play for Team Canada at the 2012 Canada-Russia Challenge in August and had 28 goals and 30 assists in 68 regular-season games for the Winterhawks. He added seven goals and eight assists in 20 playoff games.

"I didn’t expect to go this high but Nashville called a couple of times and I knew there was interest and then they traded up to get me - it’s great to know they like you that much," said Leipsic.

Preds GM David Poile considers Leipsic a combination of speed and venom.

"He’s a little bit (Jordin) Tootooish, a little bit Brad Marchand. I’m sure that the best description would be that he’s not fun to play against, probably the opposition doesn’t like him too much," said Poile. "This is the guy you love but they hate. Not big in stature but plays really tough."

Leipisic is listed as 5-9 and 175 pounds.

"Any time a team takes a chance on you it’s good. My size has always been an issue for others but not for me and it’s great to know they don’t care about that and have your back," he said.

Some players travel to the draft but Leipsic stayed home in Winnipeg with his family and said his mom Kathleen was leading his house in excitement.

"My mom, for sure. She’s jumping for joy for here," he laughed.

Brown had seven goals and 31 points in 66 games last season with the Warriors last season and gained a big opportunity when teammate Morgan Rielly went down with an injury. Brown took up a large portion of Rielly’s minutes and his draft stock rose.

"I was tuned in all morning since nine and it was fun sitting at home seeing where all your buddies go and it’s been a real great experience," said Brown, from his Winnipeg home. "I was just refreshing my computer and when I saw my name - it was so surreal. It’s just such an honour to be taken by an Original Six team."

Chicago has another well known Winnipegger on it’s roster.

"I don’t know Jonathan Toews. But being a teammate of his someday would be very special," said Brown.

"I tried not to focus on this and I tried to hang out with friends but (Saturday) it got pretty intense. When I saw my name it was like a weight off my chest."

Driedger, Brown and Leipsic all played together with the Winnipeg Monarchs during their bantam years.

"It’s great to share the experience with those two. We’re going to get together and talk about his. I’m so proud of both of them and this is such a great experience," said Brown.

Driedger went 24-12-3 last season positng a 2.80 goals against average with the Hitmen.

"I couldn’t be happier going to a Canadian team and I’ve always like the Sens and it’s a dream come true. I was sitting at home. I was laying in bed. I didn’t want to watch it and then my agent called and said, ‘yeah, man, you got drafted.’ I didn’t expect to go when I did, I thought it would be later," he said.

Martinook scored 40 goals with the WHL’s Vancouver Giants last season.

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @garylawless