San Jose Sharks select Cree right winger

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Jonathan Cheechoo is one step closer to fulfilling his goal of playing in the National Hockey League.

At the NHL Entry Draft, staged June 27 in Buffalo, the Moose Factory, Ont. native was selected in the second round - the 29th pick overall - by the San Jose Sharks. Cheechoo, a Cree who didn't start playing organized hockey until he was 14, was not overly upset at not being selected in the first round. He was the second player chosen in the second round.

"I'm a little disappointed but it's not that big of a deal to me," he said. "I'm happy with the team that selected me."

Cheechoo had been ranked in the NHL's Central Scouting Bureau's year-end rankings as the 21st best North American prospect available.

The Sharks' brass was obviously impressed with his play this past season when he was a rookie with the Belleville Bulls of the Ontario Hockey League.

Cheechoo, who played Junior "B" hockey in Kitchener the previous year, didn't take long to adjust to life in the OHL. The 6-foot, 205-pound right winger ended up being one of the league's top rookies, accumulating 76 points (31 goals, 45 assists) in 64 games.

Though he's only played one season in the OHL and he only turned 18 years of age on July 15, Cheechoo is hoping he's ready to step up to the NHL this coming season.

"I'd be willing to get in there as soon as I can," he said.

And the Sharks just might have a spot available for him. Cheechoo said San Jose officials have told him veterans Owen Nolan and Joe Murphy have their jobs locked up, but after that there will be two right wing positions up for grabs at the club's training camp this September.

"I don't know if I'm ready yet (for the NHL)," Cheechoo added. "But I think I proved myself in the OHL and I'd be willing to take a shot and see if I can do it at the next level."

Like several of the other early-round picks, Cheechoo had his share of interviews with personnel from NHL clubs prior to the draft. He had meetings with officials from about 15 teams.

But the Sharks gave him no indication they would select him if was available when they were drafting.

"It was very exciting," he said. "I had no clue what team was going to take me."

That obviously made for some tense moments for Cheechoo's personal cheering section. About 120 family members and friends from Moose Factory attended the draft.

Though he has since met the majority of the Sharks' officials - after the draft the club flew him to San Jose for a three-day orientation period which included some off-ice testing - Cheechoo had been well acquainted with one team member.

Sharks' assistant coach Paul Baxter, a former NHLer, had instructed at hockey schools that Cheechoo had attended as a youngster.

"I think he had a bit of a say (in the fact the Sharks drafted me)," Cheechoo said. "But it was mainly because of the scouts who had seen me play all year."