Oilers 2012 NHL Draft Watch "Alex Galchenyuk"

Today we examine the #4 ranked player from REVS 2012 Prospects List . Each player is unique in their own right and full of talent. The ranking does not reflect a mock draft of who a team may actually pick but rather who I would place as the best player available in that spot.

4. Alex Galchenyuk

Pos: C
HT:6'2 ft
WT: 185 lbs
Born: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Season:

2010-11

Sarnia Sting

OHL

Games 68

G 31

A 52

Pts 83

Alex was selected first overall in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection, Alex Galchenyuk had a lot of pressure on him to perform at an elite level and was looking good til his recent injury in the pre-season with the Sarnia Sting. There is high expectations for the 6'2 teenage star but his draft positioning may end up changing somewhat by years end due to his season long injury and recovery. Alot will depend of how fast he recovers and gets back into the lineup. Should he recover well enough to rejoin the team for the seasons end and into the playoffs, it would go a long way into keeping his high ranking.

 Galchenyuk was drafted into the OHL from the Chicago Young Americans after absolutely dominating the league, scoring 87 points in just 38 games. Galchenyuk has lived in four countries so far, including Germany, Italy, and Russia. His father was a veteran of the Russian Super League, and Alex moved around a lot.

 Former NHL star Igor Larionov has compared Alex Galchenyuk to Marian Hossa, and believes, along with the majority of hockey scouts, that Galchenyuk has a bright hockey future ahead of him. Galchenyuk has top-notch skill, including outstanding goal scoring ability, and the NHL team that selects him in the 2012 NHL Draft will be selecting what could potentially be a future All-Star for many years to come. Galchenyuk told me he was quite disappointed with this setback in his injury but this kid is a fighter and will be back. Here is hoping it is sooner rather then later.

'Dreaming'
-- Hall/Nugent-Hopkins/Eberle
-- Paarjarvi/Galchenyuk/Hemsky
-- Smyth/Horcoff/Hartikanen
-- Eager/Lander/Jones
Not a bad looking line up of talent if I say so myself. Of course that would mean, many pieces of the current puzzle would have to be moved. Personally I really like this Galchenyuk kid and believe he will be taking an important role of a NHL team in the very near future.

For continued information on Oiler and Baron news and 2012/13 NHL draft watch, you can follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/revingev