Rossiter Will Go Early; Make Book On It

Reading is a regular pastime of Spokane Chiefs Kyle Rossiter - John Grisham and Michael Crichton - the Central Scouting Bureau reports.

And on Rossiter, the verdict, you could say, is in. Rossiter, a 17-year-old defenseman from Edmonton, Alberta, is expected to be drafted in the first round of June’s National Hockey League entry draft. He could go as high as the 21st pick and he’s not expected to dip lower than 25th.

“I can only control it to a certain point and play as well as I can,” said Rossiter, honored earlier this week as the WHL scholastic player of the year.

“Then it’s up to the general managers and scouts.”

“I’ve had people telling me, ‘It just takes one team to think you’re their guy.’ And you can go as high as whatever they want you to.”

If Rossiter goes as projected, he will become the third Spokane player drafted in the first round. In 1997, current Chiefs defenseman Brad Ference was drafted 10th overall by Vancouver and right winger Ty Jones was picked 16th by Chicago.

If there’s a drawback for Rossiter, it’s his right shoulder. He separated it in a February game and the injury forced him to sit out until the postseason. At one point, the Chiefs thought he was done for the year. But at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, Rossiter has come back strong.

“I don’t know why it would (make him a lower pick),” Chiefs coach Mike Babcock said. “He didn’t suddenly get smaller or less skilled. He just got hurt.”

As far as his star defenseman’s future is concerned, Babcock added: “He’ll be a great pro one day but he’s got a lot of time between now and then. He’s got a lot to learn.”

More honors for Portland

Even days off are productive for the Portland Winter Hawks.

Leading the Memorial Cup round-robin with a 2-0 record, the Hawks spent Wednesday preparing for tonight’s game against Spokane and accumulating more honors. Three Winter Hawks were named to the all-star teams of the Canadian Hockey League, which encompasses all three major junior leagues in North America.

Leading the way was Marian Hossa, the 18-year-old Slovanian winger who leads the Hawks with 15 goals in the postseason. Hossa was also selected to the CHL’s All-Rookie team.

Hossa and Swift Current winger Sergei Varlamov were the Western Hockey League’s representatives on the CHL first team, which also included defenseman Chris Allen of Kingston (Ontario) and three players from Quebec, goalie Mathieu Garon of Victoriaville, and defenseman Derrick Walser and center Vincent Lecavalier of Rimouski.

Portland goaltender Brent Belecki was named to the second team, while teammate Andrew Ference made the third team as a defenseman - as did Guelph winger Brian Willsie.

Selections were made by members of the National Hockey League’s Central Scouting Bureau.

Ice chips

There are less than 1,000 tickets remaining for tonight’s game. … Spokane Chiefs left winger Kris Graf, scratched from Monday’s game because of an injured right knee, has not practiced this week and is doubtful for tonight’s game. … After four days of Memorial Cup action, Portland’s Brent Belecki was leading the goalkeepers with a 3.00 goals-against average and 91 percent saves. Teammate Andrej Podkonicky was the top point-getter with seven.