Columbus Blue Jackets Draft 2013

July 26, 2013

Blue Jackets Draft 2013
As excitement builds for the 2013/14 CBJ season, we wanted to give you an in-depth look at this year’s draft.  According to The Bleacher Report, the Columbus Blue Jackets exceeded expectations and were one of three teams to receive an A for their draft class.
Round 1 – Pick 14 – Alexander Wennberg
Alexander Wennberg is a center currently playing for Djurgarden IF Stovkholm in the Swedish Allvenskan League. Over the past few years, Wennberg has impressed on the international stage with his play in the 2012 IIHF Under-18 World Championships and the 2013 World Junior Championships, helping his team bring home the silver medal in both tournaments.
Round 1 – Pick 19 – Kerby Rychel
Listed at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, Kerby Rychel made a name for himself by getting under opponents’ skin and unnerving players in the OHL playoffs. Scouts like his ability to score big goals while also playing his role to a “T,” and his north-south style should be a good fit with what Jarmo Kekalainen and the Blue Jackets are trying to build.
Round 1 – Pick 27 – Marko Dano
He finished 12th on NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings for international skaters, and is regarded as a strong two-way player with good hockey instincts. Dano is listed as a natural center and played in the middle of the ice during the World Junior.
Round 2 – Pick 50 – Dillon Heatherington
Heatherington checked in at No. 44 on NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings for North American skaters and finished the draft year at No. 31. Scouts like his ability to neutralize opponents and use his size to separate players from the puck as well as his passing.
Round 3 – Pick 89 – Oliver Bjorkstrand
Oliver Bjorkstrand made his pro hockey debut as a 15-year-old, playing in a playoff game with Herning Blue Fox’s second team in his native Denmark after splitting the year between the Herning U20 and U17 teams.  He was ranked 36th amongst North American skaters in Central Scouting’s final rankings prior to the 2013 NHL Draft.
Round 4 – Pick 105 – Nick Moutrey
After taking Kerby Rychel in the first round, the Jackets went back to the OHL with their fourth-round pick, taking power winger Nick Moutrey with the 105th pick of the draft.Moutrey is a physical winger, who’s willing to drop the mitts and go to war in the corners and in front of the net. He’s got good size at 6′-2″, 208lbs, and uses every ounce to inflict damage on the opposition. He played on a weak Saginaw team last season, and will look to take the next step as the Spirit improves next year.
The first game against Buffalo is only 11 weeks away!