Stars select Glennie with 8th pick

Friday, June 26, 2009-8:45:pm
/Andrew's Dallas Stars Page                            

The mock drafts turned out to be a poor predictor of what the Dallas Stars would do with the 8th overall pick in Friday's first round of the NHL Entry Draft. The Stars surprised the experts, picking right wing Scott Glennie of the Western Hockey League's Brandon Wheat Kings.

“Scott brings a lot of speed and skill. He has very good vision and sees the ice well. He’s a right wing but he’s also a centerman so we don’t know what he’ll play down the road," said Stars director amateur scouting Tim Bernhardt. "His coach said he will play center next year and he’s played a lot of center before. But we’re very pleased that we were able to draft Scott.”

Glennie, who is 6-1, 177 pounds, had 70 points (28 goals, 42 assists) in 55 games with Brandon this past season. He also picked up 18 points (3 goals, 18 assists) in 12 playoff games as the Wheat Kings made it to the WHL's conference finals.

"He has all the Dallas Stars qualities we look for," Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk told NHL Radio. "He's a team guy first. He has speed and skill, which is what everybody obviously strives for these days. A right shot doesn't hurt because we are lacking a few of those right now. He has real good growth potential, he's a solid kid and hard working kid. He's the type of kid, like a Brenden Morrow, that we want to build around."

Glennie was ranked 7th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting and ranged from 11th overall to 19th overall among the major scouting services. But many of those same scouting services had him going 10th or 11th in their mock drafts. One mock draft had him going as high as fifth overall. Still, Glennie was surprised to go 8th overall to the Stars.

"It was just the biggest joy of my life. I didn't really expect it all," Glennie told NHL Radio. "I am really nervous right now, but it couldn't be a better feeling. They're a great organization. I can't wait to step in an play for them one day."

Glennie, 18, is expected to play with Brandon again next season.

"He's a got a couple years left in juniors. We're going to watch him closely and monitor his progress," Nieuwendyk said. "He's a phenomenal player already. He's got some growing to do, but we'll we see. Kids are jumping in all the time these days."

Glennie profile