Flyers take vanRiemsdyk with 2d overall draft pick
With the second overall pick in this year's National Hockey League Entry Draft, the Flyers took James vanRiemsdyk, a left winger currently playing in the United States national team development program.
With the second overall pick in this year's National Hockey League Entry Draft, the Flyers took James vanRiemsdyk, a left winger currently playing in the United States national team development program.
"He reminds us a little bit of John LeClair, a little bit of Rick Nash [of Columbus]," Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said of vanRiemsdyk on the TSN network broadcast of the draft.
The 6-foot-3, 200-pound vanRiemsdyk was the third-highest-rated American skater by NHL Central Scouting, and was on the bronze medal-winning U.S. team at this year's Junior World Championships. He won't suit up for the Flyers right away, though; he will attend the University of New Hampshire starting this fall.
Right winger Patrick Kane from the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights was the first overall pick, drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks. It is the first time in NHL draft history that American players have been chosen with the first two picks.