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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Finally, Some Good News In Boston

Associated Press

The Boston Bruins, who missed the playoffs for the first time in 30 seasons with the league’s worst record and were rejected by the man they wanted for a coach, finally got some good news.

The Bruins won the NHL draft lottery and will have a shot at the consensus top choice, high-scoring forward Joe Thornton.

Boston was just 26-47-9 for 61 points, and coach Steve Kasper was fired shortly after the season. The Bruins remain without a coach because Boston University coach Jack Parker turned down their offer.

The Bruins are expected to use the top pick to grab Thornton, a 6-foot-4, 200-pound Ontario native who had 41 goals and 122 points in the OHL this season.

Thornton is rated the top prospect by the NHL’s Central Scouting Service.

“He is every bit as good as his ranking,” Bruins general manager Harry Sinden said. “All of the things that go to make a good center apply to Joe Thornton.”

The Bruins also have the eighth pick, via a trade with Hartford involving defenseman Glen Wesley.

The San Jose Sharks, the worst team in the Western Conference and just one point ahead of Boston, have the second selection, followed by the Los Angeles Kings.

The New York Islanders have both the fourth and fifth picks, the earlier pick from Toronto as part of a trade for Mathieu Schneider and Wendel Clark. Calgary will pick sixth and Tampa Bay seventh, with Washington and Vancouver rounding out the first 10.

The other 16 spots were determined by regular season finish.