Draft Prospects -- Defensemen (A-L)

On the eve of the June 22-23 NHL Entry Draft at Pittsburgh, newyorkrangers.com looks at the top 2012 draft prospects at each position to help give fans a sense of players who might be available to the Blueshirts when they make the No. 28 overall pick on Friday. Here are 42 of the top available defensemen in alphabetical order.

OTHER POSITIONS: Centers | Wingers A-L | Wingers M-Z | Defense M-Z | Goaltenders

CONSENSUS TOP 42 LAST NAMES A-L

Listed to the right of each player's name is his final ranking from NHL Central Scouting as well thehree major scouting publications. These are The Hockey News (THN), The International Scouting Service Draft Guide (ISS) and Red Line Report (RLR). Please note that these rankings are for informational purposes only, based on widely published reports with no relationship to preferences of the New York Rangers scouting staff.

DEFENSEMEN ELIGIBLE FOR DRAFT

RANKINGS

Calle Andersson
Defense (Karlstad, Sweden Under-20 League) Height: 6-2 - Weight: 208 - Shot: Right - Born: May 16, 1994 2011-12: 49 games; 12 goals; 24 assists; 36 points; 56 PIM
NOTES: The son of former Rangers defenseman Peter Andersson grew up in Malmo while his father was completing his career in Elitserien. Also scored nine points in 10 games for Karlstad's Under-18 team this season. Hometown: Malmo, Sweden (Swedish)

CENTRAL SCOUTING Ranked No. 15 (European skaters)
OTHER RANKINGS
THN	ISS	RLR
87	48	144

Dylan Blujus
Defense (Brampton Battalion, Ontario Hockey League) Height: 6-3 - Weight: 193 - Shot: Right - Born: January 22, 1994 2011-12: 66 games; 7 goals; 27 assists; 34 points; 38 PIM
NOTES: A big defenseman with a knack for offense. He knows when to join rush, has rocket of a shot from the point, and is becoming a strong performer on power play. Defensive game needs work to reach the NHL. Hometown: Buffalo, New York (American)

CENTRAL SCOUTING Ranked No. 71 (North American skaters)
OTHER RANKINGS
THN	ISS	RLR
57	71	79

Ludvig Bystrom
Defense (Ornskoldsvik, Sweden Under-20 League) Height: 6-1 - Weight: 208 - Shot: Left - Born: July 20, 1994 2011-12: 34 games; 7 goals; 22 assists; 29 points; 101 PIM
NOTES: Highly poised with good hockey sense, he rarely makes mistakes and is strong in own zone. Also played 20 games in Elitserien, registering one assist and 8 PIM. Member of Team Sweden at World Junior tourney. Hometown: Ornskoldsvik, Sweden (Swedish)

CENTRAL SCOUTING Ranked No. 8 (European skaters)
OTHER RANKINGS
THN	ISS	RLR
19	28	42

Trevor Carrick	VIDEO: Interview at Combine
Defense (Mississauga St. Michael's Majors, Ontario Hockey League) Height: 6-2 - Weight: 172 - Shot: Left - Born: July 4, 1994 2011-12: 68 games; 6 goals; 13 assists; 19 points; 64 PIM
NOTES: A stay-at-home defenseman with hockey sense who surged in draft rankiings due to strong second half of season. The brother of 2010 Toronto draftee Sam Carrick, he hails from Michael Del Zotto's hometown. Hometown: Stouffville, Ontario (Canadian)

CENTRAL SCOUTING Ranked No. 44 (North American skaters)
OTHER RANKINGS
THN	ISS	RLR
100	54	155

Cody Ceci	VIDEO: Profile \| Interview \| At Combine On Day Before the Draft at Pittsburgh
Defense (Ottawa 67s, Ontario Hockey League) Height: 6-2 - Weight: 207 - Shot: Right - Born: December 21, 1993 2011-12: 64 games; 17 goals; 43 assists; 60 points; 14 PIM
NOTES: An outstanding offensive defenseman with great size, big shot, and mobility, he is often compared to Michael Del Zotto. Ran team's power play and was the second-highest scoring OHL defenseman in 2011-12. Hometown: Orleans, Ontario (Canadian)

CENTRAL SCOUTING Ranked No. 6 (North American skaters)
OTHER RANKINGS
THN	ISS	RLR
10	9	19

Brian Cooper
Defense (Fargo Force, United States Hockey League) Height: 5-10 - Weight: 181 - Shot: Left - Born: November 1, 1993 2011-12: 55 games; 6 goals; 18 assists; 24 points; 92 PIM
NOTES: Small but physical, smart and shifty. He is very good at clearing own zone, making first pass, and holding offensive zone. Hits hard and runs a power play. Will begin college career at Nebraska-Omaha this fall. Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska (American)

CENTRAL SCOUTING Ranked No. 68 (North American skaters)
OTHER RANKINGS
THN	ISS	RLR
79	85	99

Cody Corbett
Defense (Edmonton Oil Kings, Western Hockey League) Height: 6-0 - Weight: 205 - Shot: Right - Born: December 14, 1993 2011-12: 54 games; 6 goals; 20 assists; 26 points; 24 PIM
NOTES: Two-way defenseman handles puck well. Left native Minnesota to play in WHL in late October 2011. Also played for Team North East on Minnesota High School Elite League, where he had 18 points in 20 games. Hometown: Lakeland, Minnesota (American)

CENTRAL SCOUTING Ranked No. 117 (North American skaters)
OTHER RANKINGS
THN	ISS	RLR
70	76	143

Ryan Culkin
Defense (Quebec Remparts, Quebec Major Jr. Hockey League) Height: 6-1 - Weight: 174 - Shot: Left - Born: December 15, 1993 2011-12: 60 games; 6 goals; 19 assists; 25 points; 28 PIM
NOTES: Hard-working and responsible, he shows great poise in his own zone. Best asset is his skating, which can lead him to take risks, but he's effective joining the rush. Teammate of Ryan Bourque in his rookie year. Hometown: Montreal, Quebec (Canadian)

CENTRAL SCOUTING Ranked No. 66 (North American skaters)
OTHER RANKINGS
THN	ISS	RLR
--	67	182

Gianluca Curcuruto
Defense (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, Ontario Hockey League) Height: 6-0 - Weight: 195 - Shot: Left - Born: February 25, 1994 2011-12: 63 games; 3 goals; 13 assists; 16 points; 36 PIM
NOTES: Has big shot from point, makes good first pass and projects as shutdown defender at next level. One of top prospects going into season before stock fell when he could not put up expected offensive numbers. Hometown: Richmond Hill, Ontario (Canadian)

CENTRAL SCOUTING Ranked No. 160 (North American skaters)
OTHER RANKINGS
THN	ISS	RLR
75	109	70

Matt Dumba	VIDEO: Profile \| Interview \| At Combine Interview Day Before Draft in Pittsburgh
Defense (Red Deer Rebels, Western Hockey League) Height: 6-0 - Weight: 183 - Shot: Right - Born: July 25, 1994 2011-12: 69 games; 20 goals; 37 assists; 57 points; 67 PIM
NOTES: An exceptionally hard hitter who scores a lot on power play, he was one of only two WHL defensemen with 20 goals. Led all scorers at World Under-18s with 12 points and named tourney's Best Defenseman. Hometown: Calgary, Alberta (Canadian)

CENTRAL SCOUTING Ranked No. 11 (North American skaters)
OTHER RANKINGS
THN	ISS	RLR
5	6	3

Nick Ebert
Defense (Windsor Spitfires, Ontario Hockey League) Height: 5-11 - Weight: 205 - Shot: Right - Born: May 11, 1994 2011-12: 66 games; 6 goals; 33 assists; 39 points; 58 PIM
NOTES: Two-way defenseman whose size is not ideal for NHL. A great skater whose hockey sense is not as developed as his physical tools. Was highly touted as a 17-year-old, but he did not achieve expectations. Hometown: Livingston, New Jersey (American)

CENTRAL SCOUTING Ranked No. 96 (North American skaters)
OTHER RANKINGS
THN	ISS	RLR
60	62	54

Matt Finn	VIDEO: Interview at Combine
Defense (Guelph Storm, Ontario Hockey League) Height: 6-0 - Weight: 195 - Shot: Left - Born: February 24, 1994 2011-12: 61 games; 10 goals; 38 assists; 48 points; 58 PIM
NOTES: Character player and leader is strong at both ends of ice. Ran power play and was heart of team's offense for much of season. Was sixth-highest scoring OHL defenseman in 2011-12 and named team MVP. Hometown: Toronto, Ontario (Canadian)

CENTRAL SCOUTING Ranked No. 16 (North American skaters)
OTHER RANKINGS
THN	ISS	RLR
18	18	14

Dillon Fournier
Defense (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, QMJHL) Height: 6-2 - Weight: 180 - Shot: Left - Born: June 15, 1994 2011-12: 52 games; 9 goals; 29 assists; 38 points; 59 PIM
NOTES: An excellent skater who handles puck well coming through the neutral zone. Often jumps into the play and he isn't afraid to fight if called upon. Will need considerable work on defensive game for a shot at NHL. Hometown: Montreal, Quebec (Canadian)

CENTRAL SCOUTING Ranked No. 136 (North American skaters)
OTHER RANKINGS
THN	ISS	RLR
82	132	84

Justin Hache
Defense (Shawinigan Cataractes, Quebec Major Jr. Hockey League) Height: 6-1 - Weight: 188 - Shot: Left - Born: January 10, 1994 2011-12: 60 games; 2 goals; 16 assists; 18 points; 46 PIM
NOTES: Saw limited icetime on an experienced team but made most of his opportunities. Poised with the puck and strong at moving it through the neutral zone but needs to play bigger, taking more advantage of his size. Hometown: Bathurst, New Brunswick (Canadian)

CENTRAL SCOUTING Ranked No. 152 (North American skaters)
OTHER RANKINGS
THN	ISS	RLR
88	97	106

Kenton Helgesen
Defense (Calgary Hitmen, Western Hockey League) Height: 6-3 - Weight: 186 - Shot: Left - Born: March 19, 1994 2011-12: 58 games; 3 goals; 11 assists; 14 points; 63 PIM
NOTES: Shutdown defenseman who has a bit of offensive upside even though defense is his forte. As WHL rookie at age 17, he surged in draft rankings after not having been ranked by Central Scouting at midseason. Hometown: Fairview, Alberta (Canadian)

CENTRAL SCOUTING Ranked No. 64 (North American skaters)
OTHER RANKINGS
THN	ISS	RLR
--	148	149

Max Iafrate	VIDEO: Profile \| Interview at Combine
Defense (Kitchener Rangers, Ontario Hockey League) Height: 6-1 - Weight: 198 - Shot: Right - Born: March 28, 1994 2011-12: 62 games; 6 goals; 10 assists; 16 points; 97 PIM
NOTES: Hard worker who saw lots of icetime in Kitchener has great size for the NHL and possesses strength and a big shot from the point. His father is Al Iafrate, three-time champion in the NHL's Hardest Shot event. Hometown: Livonia, Michigan (American)

CENTRAL SCOUTING Ranked No. 70 (North American skaters)
OTHER RANKINGS
THN	ISS	RLR
--	84	105

Slater Koekkoek
Defense (Peterborough Petes, Ontario Hockey League) Height: 6-2 - Weight: 184 - Shot: Left - Born: February 18, 1994 2011-12: 26 games; 5 goals; 13 assists; 18 points; 17 PIM
NOTES: Strong two-way defenseman was projected Round 1 pick who missed remainder of season with shoulder injury suffered in November. Hard worker who can play in all situations thanks to great hockey sense. Hometown: Manotick, Ontario (Canadian)

CENTRAL SCOUTING Ranked No. 23 (North American skaters)
OTHER RANKINGS
THN	ISS	RLR
23	21	21

Brett Kulak
Defense (Vancouver Giants, Western Hockey League) Height: 6-0 - Weight: 174 - Shot: Left - Born: January 6, 1994 2011-12: 72 games; 9 goals; 15 assists; 24 points; 22 PIM
NOTES: Defensive defenseman and shutdown specialist rarely makes mistakes, has great hockey sense, and is particularly poised in pressure situations. Has to improve physical play to be effective at the NHL level. Hometown: Stony Plain, Alberta (Canadian)

CENTRAL SCOUTING Ranked No. 55 (North American skaters)
OTHER RANKINGS
THN	ISS	RLR
66	72	66

Esa Lindell
Defense (Helsinki Jokerit, Finland Under-20 League) Height: 6-3 - Weight: 194 - Shot: Left - Born: May 23, 1994 2011-12: 48 games; 21 goals; 30 assists; 51 points; 16 PIM
NOTES: A big, smart two-way player who needs to add bulk for a North American game. He recorded six points for Finns at the World Under-18 tournament to tie for scoring lead among fourth-place team's defensemen. Hometown: Vantaa, Finland (Finnish)

CENTRAL SCOUTING Ranked No. 12 (European skaters)
OTHER RANKINGS
THN	ISS	RLR
78	127	187

Hampus Lindholm	VIDEO: Interview at Combine
Defense (Angelholm, Swedish Allsvenskan) Height: 6-2 - Weight: 196 - Shot: Left - Born: January 20, 1994 2011-12: 20 games; 1 goal; 3 assists; 4 points; 12 PIM
NOTES: Rapidly improving two-way defenseman can provide offense and is great passer. Had four points for silver medalist Sweden at World Under-18s. Also registered 17 points in 28 games with club's junior team. Hometown: Helsingborg, Sweden (Swedish)