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ELITE EDGE ALUMNI SELECTED IN NHL ENTRY DRAFT
The Elite Edge Hockey Showcase would like to congratulate alumni Nic Dowd on his selection to the Los Angeles Kings in the seventh round (198th overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. With the selection, Dowd (EE 2006) becomes the first Elite Edge Hockey Showcase alumni selected in the NHL Entry Draft.
“This is obviously an incredible achievement for Nic and a great step forward in his hockey career,” said Brandon Walker, Program Director, Elite Edge Hockey Showcase. “We are very proud of his past involvement in the Elite Edge program and congratulate him on the selection to the Los Angeles Kings and continue to wish him the best of luck in the future.”
Dowd – who is also the first player drafted from Huntsville, Alabama – played at Culver Academy throughout his high school career. In 2008-09 with the Wenatchee Wild (North American Hockey League) he had 16 goals, 33 assists and 71 PIM’s in 43 games. He blossomed in the playoffs for the Wild, scoring eight goals with 14 assists and 34 PIM’s in 13 games.
“We’re very excited for Nic. His selection is well-earned,” said Wild head coach Paul Baxter told NAHL.com. “LA’s scouts had watched him play several times and were high on his NHL potential. He has a good frame and he’ll get a lot stronger in the next couple of seasons. Nic has tremendous stick skills and vision, along with a very good skating stride that will get better as he physically matures.
“His learning curve is very steep and his competitive vigor in all situations makes him a very attractive NHL prospect. He was a positive difference-maker in crucial game situations all season and during the playoffs.”
Dowd has committed to St. Cloud State for the 2010-11 season and is playing for the Indiana Ice (USHL) this season. He was one of eight finalists for the Dave Taylor Junior Hockey Player Of The Year Award and was also selected to represent the Wild at the NAHL Top Prospect Game, but was unable to play because of injury.
The North American Hockey League had a strong presence at the 2009 Elite Edge Hockey Showcase, with five teams (Motor City Chiefs, St. Louis Bandits, North Iowa Outlaws, Janesville Jets and Bismarck Bobcats) along with key members of the leagues executive staff participating.
The 2010 Elite Edge Hockey Showcase will take place June 10-13 at A-Game Sportsplex in Franklin, TN. The program will feature 160 top elite hockey players from throughout the United States and Canada. Registration will start in December and more information and updates can be found at www.eliteedgehockey.com
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