31. Mike Richards
Born: Feb. 11, 1985, Kenora, Ont.
2002-03: Kitchener
Pos: C | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 187 | Shoots: L
Central Scouting: No. 30 N.A. skater

Think of Mike Ricci, but less hair. A lot of scouts see a little of Ricci in Mike Richards, although he's not as good as Ricci was at the same age.

Richards is a skilled center whose playmaking skills separate him from the pack.

He has great vision and is an above average skater, although he does not have great speed or quickness.

"But he has everything else," said a scout. "He has the heart of a lion. He competes every night and leads by example. He's smart with the puck and without it."

"This kid had a real good year and he did it through hard work," said an Ontario scout. "He's a guy who might not impress you too much when you first see him, but at the end of the game he'll have a couple of goals and an assist.

"He was a workhorse on that team. Sure, they have their top line and he was the second fiddle, but he was an important guy."

Richards was used in all situations and is a good faceoff man.

"When the coach needed a reliable guy, guess who came over the boards," said the scout.

YEAR      TEAM         LEA.   GP     G     A   Pts.  PIM
'00-01    Kenora       Mid.   40    24    36    60    69
'01-02    Kitchener    OHL    65    20    38    58    52
'02-03    Kitchener    OHL    67    37    50    87    99

32. Ryan Stone
Born: March 20, 1985, Calgary, Alta.
2002-03: Brandon
Pos: C | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 199 | Shoots: L
Central Scouting: No. 12 N.A. skater

Ryan Stone is as tough as they come and a player you don't want to annoy, unless you like a serving of leather lunch in the form of a glove in the face.

"He is a tough cookie," said a scout.

Stone began this season as the top draft prospect in Brandon, but injuries slowed down his development and teammate Eric Fehr surged ahead in The Hocky News's ranking.

Stone ended up with only 45 points in 54 games, but what stood out was his 158 minutes in penalties.

"He's really a tough kid with ability ... he is a hard-nosed kid. Personally, I'd like to see him get his goal production up," said a scout.

Stone is pegged as a third-line center who could move up to the No. 2 line on one of the NHL's non-contending teams.

He just doesn't have enough to make it on the top two lines on a good team.

"Skating is an issue," said a scout.

Stone attended the training camp for Canada's national under-18 squad, but suffered a concussion in an intra-squad game and never made the trip to Russia.

YEAR      TEAM        LEA.    GP     G     A   Pts.   PIM
'00-01    Calgary     Mid.    34    27    28    55     90
'01-02    Brandon     WHL     65    11    27    38    128
'02-03    Brandon     WHL     54    14    31    45    158

33. Dmitri Kosmachev
Born: June 7, 1985, Moscow, Rus.
2002-03: Central Army
Pos: D | Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 205 | Shoots: R
Central Scouting: No. 11 Euro. skater

Size is not an issue with Dmitri Kosmachev, a big Russian blueliner who has made great strides on his footwork.

Kosmachev is faster than he was at this time last year and he has learned when to pinch in on offense. He could be Russia's top prospect on the blueline.

"Three years from now, he will be a big solid defenseman in the NHL, but not your No. 1 or No. 2 guy," said a Russian scout. "He's most likely a steady No. 3 or No. 4.

"He moves the puck OK, but when he's under pressure he doesn't have great hockey sense. Pressure him and I've seen him panic. It's not that he's bad or careless with the puck, butŠI'd never put him on the power play."

Kosmachev showed an undisciplined side at the world under-18 championship when he took two boarding calls in the first period against the Czechs. A roughing penalty in the second cost the Russians a goal.

He was not a big factor in Russia's 6-5 win.

"There is no real upside," said a scout. "He'll be steady, but won't get 30 points in the NHL."

YEAR      TEAM       LEA.     GP    G    A   Pts.   PIM
'01-02    C. Army    Rus.2    49    0    1    1      12
          Russia     WU18      8    0    1    1       2
'02-03    C. Army    Rus.     27    0    0    0       2
          Russia     WU18      6    0    1    1       6

34. Vojtech Polak
Born: June 27, 1985, Ostrov, Czech Rep.
2002-03: Karlovy Vary
Pos: F | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 183 | Shoots: L
Central Scouting: No. 12 Euro. skater

A little known fact about Vojtech Polak is he outscored Milan Michalek -- the No. 6 prospect in Draft Preview -- in the Czech Extraleague this season.

Polak had seven goals and 16 points in 41 games, while his countryman had three goals and eight points in 46 games.

This said, why is Polak slated as an early second-rounder? His upside isn't as strong.

"He has good hockey sense and his thinking is good," said a Czech scout. "But his skating is just OK.

"He does not have bad speed, but he does not have great speed, either." Polak is also smaller than Michalek, a factor that works against him.

"He's not very physical, but he's smart and knows what to do with the puck," said a director of player personnel.

"He's a real competitor and he goes into the traffic area."

Polak is not as talented as Jiri Hudler, the smallish Czech center who was Detroit's first pick, 58th overall, last year.

"(Polak) looks little, but he's sound on his skates," a scout said.

YEAR      TEAM      LEA.    GP     G     A   Pts.    PIM
'00-01    Karlovy   Mid.    47    36    33    69     38
'01-02    Karlovy   Jr.     37    11    14    25     26
'02-03    Karlovy   Cze.    41     7     9    16     51
          Czech     WU18     6     3     2     5     18

35. Michal Barinka
Born: June 12, 1984, Vyskov, Czech Rep.
2002-03: Budejovice
Pos: D | Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 200 | Shoots: L
Central Scouting: No. 10 Euro. skater

Michal Barinka is another Czech who decided not to opt in last year's draft in the hopes of improving his positioning in 2003.

The plan backfired, but he's still a solid second-rounder.

Barinka is an average thinker with the puck and is known to take the odd casual shift.

He can clear the crease when he wants to, but scouts want to see a more physical effort.

"There is really nothing special," said a scout.

Barinka does have a good shot, but accuracy is not a strong point. He got into hockey because his mother is a teacher at a school where hockey is offered to gifted athletes.

A life-long rink rat, he worships and emulates Al MacInnis. But in no way, shape or form is Barinka a budding MacInnis.

He's also very superstitious, especially in his pre-game routine. He's always the third player on the ice. It's neat fodder for writers, but it would be better if it were more substance and less style.

"He'll play, but he won't be a No. 1 or 2 defenseman," said a European scout.

YEAR      TEAM          LEA.    GP    G     A   Pts.    PIM
'00-01    Budejovice    Jr.     33    1     9    10     20
'01-02    Budejovice    Jr.     31    3    13    16     60
          Czech         WU18     8    4     2     6      6
'02-03    Budejovice    Cze.    31    0     1     1     14

36. Brian Boyle
Born: Dec. 18, 1984, Hingham, Mass.
2002-03: St. Sebastian's
Pos: C | Ht: 6-5 1/2 | Wt: 222 | Shoots: L
Central Scouting: No. 34 N.A. skater

No one ever said projecting hockey prospects is easy and scouts are having a hard time with Brian Boyle.

At nearly 6-foot-6 and 222 pounds, he has the size that makes scouts salivate.

He has a good shot and plays a physical game. But because he played prep school, he was a man versus boys and it made for a hard read.

"He would go to the net with four guys on his back and not even know they were there," said one scout.

Boyle's upsides are obvious. He has size, skill and is athletic. The fact he was also an excellent shortstop at St. Sebastian's proves he's more than just a mammoth on skates.

Determination and consistency is another thing, however, because Boyle was never seriously challenged. He will be next season, as he has committed to Boston College.

"I don't dislike him, but I want somebody else to pick him," said another scout.

Boyle's biggest test comes in late May when he gets checked in the routine pre-draft medicals. If he's fit, he'll enhance his standing.

YEAR      TEAM       LEA.    GP     G     A   Pts.   PIM
'00-01    St. Seb    USHS    31    15    24    39    23
'01-02    St. Seb    USHS    31    17    22    39    33
'02-03    St. Seb    USHS    31    32    31    63    46

37. Shawn Belle
Born: Jan. 3, 1985, Edmonton, Alta.
2002-03: Tri-City
Pos: D | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 220 | Shoots: L
Central Scouting: No. 33 N.A. skater

Shawn Belle started this season on a high note, being named the top defenseman at the Eight Nations tournament in Slovakia last August. Big things were expected of him, but he did not meet them and struggled.

"At the beginning of the year people were questioning his hockey sense," said one scout. "Then he had a big night in the Top Prospects Game."

Belle's family is from Barbados and hockey didn't come as natural to him as it did to other kids in Edmonton, where he grew up. But Belle showed character and determination learning the sport and it did not take long for him to make a name for himself. Now the issue is whether he can take his game to another level. Belle has the wheels you'd want in a blueliner.

He's a tremendous skater and has superb acceleration.

"(But) he gets caught out of position quite often," said a scout. "He looks like a forward playing defense. He often gets criticized for his positioning and guys can get around him fairly easy. He's a little undisciplined."

YEAR      TEAM        LEA.    GP     G     A   Pts.  PIM
'00-01    KC          Ban.    39    18    30    48    69
'01-02    Tri-City    WHL     64     1    17    18    51
'02-03    Tri-City    WHL     66     7    14    21    79
          Canada      WU18     7     1     1     2     0

38. Ivan Khomutov
Born: March 11, 1985, Saratov, Rus.
2002-03: Central Army
Pos: C | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 198 | Shoots: L
Central Scouting: No. 26 Euro. skater

This could be a classic example of a player being totally over-hyped.

Those who like Ivan Khomutov like him a lot. His wrist shot is said to be the best among 18-year-old Russians and there's an upside to his skill level. He has soft hands and a long reach and is creative off the rush.

He could be a wild card in the draft because of the potential.

"I like his shot and his speed," said one scout.

Now for the naysayers. Those who don't like him point to a character flaw.

"He's lazy and I would never be afraid to play against him," said a European scout. "I've seen him work hard, but I have seen him play too many lazy games.

"He doesn't have the drive and I hope he is gone before it is our pick."

Khomutov didn't have the greatest relationship with the coaching staff on Russia's under-18 team and because of that, he didn't get the ice time he probably deserved.

"He had an up-and-down season and you are always looking for guys to play through that," said the European scout.

YEAR      TEAM       LEA.     GP     G    A   Pts.   PIM
'00-01    Russia     4-Nat.    3     0    0     0      2
'01-02    C.A.-2     Rus.     31    11    8    19     16
          Russia     5-Nat.    4     3    3     6      2
'02-03    Elektr.    Rus.     20     1    1     2      8

39. Jeremy Colliton
Born: Jan. 13, 1985, Blackie, Alta.
2002-03: Prince Albert
Pos: RW | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 195 | Shoots: R
Central Scouting: No. 37 N.A. skater

The jury remains out on 6-foot-2 right winger Jeremy Colliton.

Colliton's proponents admire his size, strength, skating and the way he competes every night. They note that as a rookie, Colliton finished third in scoring on Prince Albert and was a regular contributor to the offense.

It also helped his cause that he played on Canada's world under-18 team and was one of six players to finish with six points in seven games.

"This kid can shoot the puck and he's strong," said one scout. "I don't have much of a problem with his skating. It needs a little work but most of the players in the draft need a little work on their skating.

"I think he might be the bargain of the draft. This guy has a chance to play."

Not so fast, say Colliton's detractors. Critics say he is soft and they're not sure he'll make an impact at the next level.

"Yes, he brings it every night. Yes, he scores and works hard, but he does not excite me," said a scout. "He is a third-line winger."

YEAR      TEAM      LEA.    GP     G    A    Pts.  PIM
'00-01    C. Pass   Jr. A   63    18    30    48    98
'01-02    P.A.      WHL     68    11    21    32    53
'02-03    P.A.      WHL     58    20    28    48    76
          Canada    WU18     7     1     5     6    18

40. Ryan Munce
Born: April 16, 1985, Mississauga, Ont.
2002-03: Brandon
Pos: G | Ht: 6-1 1/2 | Wt: 180 | Catches: L
Central Scouting: No. 3 N.A. goalie

Ryan Munce all but gave up on playing junior hockey last September. He left the Sarnia Sting training camp figuring he'd never see the OHL.

He went back to his parents' house in Mississauga and the plan was to play junior A and aim for a scholarship to a U.S. college.

Three weeks later, the Sting asked him to come back when one of their goalies wound up being a flop. Munce hasn't looked back since.

Now he's one of the top goalies in the NHL draft and has enhanced his chances of being a top pick with a stellar performance backstopping Canada to the title at the world under-18 tournament in Russia in April.

"Suffice it to say people took note of what he did in Russia," said an NHL GM. "My guys are high on him. There's a lot to like about him."

Munce had a solid .916 save percentage in 27 games with the Sting this season.

He doesn't flop around as much as top-rated Marc-Andre Fleury and is quick on his feet.

"He has quick reflexes and good leg work," a scout said. "He's a good goalie who does it all."

YEAR      TEAM          LEA.    W-L-T     SV%    GAA
'00-01    Mark.         Ban.    n/a
'01-02    Tor. Nats.    Ban.    n/a
'02-03    Sarnia        OHL    15-7-0    .916    2.64
          Canada        WU18    4-1-1    .938    1.83

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