Nolan, Tootoo, King and McCormick - they're ours

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Four Aboriginal players were among the chosen few at the 2001 National Hockey League entry draft held in Miami, Florida June 23 and 24.

The first player, and only one to hear his name called on the first day of the draft, was Brandon Nolan, picked in the third round, 72nd overall, by the New Jersey Devils.

"I selected Brandon myself," said Larry Terris, head scout of the New Jersey Devils. "I think there's quite a bit of upside in Brandon. Brandon is still very young, his body still hasn't matured yet, but he does show the skills and hockey sense of a mature man. When you're looking four or five or six years down the road, I'm hoping I can see a complete package there, and that's probably one of the main reasons why I drafted him."

The pick had originally belonged to the Columbus Blue Jackets, which opted to trade it for Polish-born import Krzysztof Oliwa. Brandon Nolan, who played for the Oshawa Generals this past season in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), is the son of Ted Nolan, a former NHL player and coach of the year.

The first player to be picked in the fourth round was none other than Rankin Inlet's Jordin Tootoo. This feisty player, who worked this past year for the Western Hockey League's Brandon Wheat Kings, was picked 98th overall by the Nashville Predators, and according to Predators head scout Craig Channell, they were pleased with acquiring his rights.

"He brings a lot of elements to the game," began Channell.

"I know up in Canada, there's been a lot of play on where he comes from, but I think that's just part of what he is all about. He's only played organized hockey, really, for four years, so hopefully, we've just seen the bottom of what he can become. I think what it basically boils down to is he's a good skater and he's got a lot of heart, and we hope he can continue and become a regular for us in the next five years."

Also selected in the fourth round was Colt King. King, who suited up for the Guelph Storm of the OHL, was chosen 130th overall by the 2001 Stanley Cup champion team, the Colorado Avalanche.

"We feel that Colt, number one, fits the role of a big power forward that potentially has a really good combination of size, strength and skill, so we were excited that he has all those attributes, and we think he has the potential of being a big strong tough kid at the NHL level," said Avalanche head scout Jim Hammett.

Cody McCormick, picked by the Avalanche in the fifth round, played for the OHL's Belleville Bulls.

"Cody, for me, from the beginning of the year to the end, his improvement in almost every area was very, very steady and consistent. He worked on his skating, and as the season went on, he became a very good checker on his hockey club, and a very strong role player as well. By the end of the year, his ice time continued [to rise], and we just feel with a guy of his size and strength, and potentially strong defensive play, he's going to be a very useful player."

According to Hammett, both McCormick and King have a bright future, but ultimately, "the next year or so of junior is going to be very big for them, a couple of years of junior. Once they get into the American Hockey League, and see how they adapt to that style of play, again, it's in [their] hands. We're hoping [they are] on the three to four year [plan], but with either one of those guys, if it's sooner, we're going to be happy."

He said they are similar players.

"They're both guys that improved a lot throughout the year, and we're really excited about their upside. More importantly, off the ice, they're good kids, and we're excited that they're going to be part of our team."