On Saturday, the Phoenix Coyotes selected another seven players on the second day of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., giving the organization and additional six forwards and two defensemen in the system.
Here is a look at what Phoenix did in rounds two through four on Saturday:
Round 2 (51st overall): Alexander Ruuttu- Center- Jokerit Jr., Finland-Jr.
The Coyotes looked to a member of their staff, head European scout Christian Ruuttu, for the source of their first selection on Saturday, as they chose his son Alexander.
Ruuttu notched 18 goals and 13 assists for 31 points and 14 penalty minutes in 41 games for Jokerit Jr. of the Finnish Junior League. He was ranked 16th amongst all European skaters according to NHL Central Scouting.
Round 2 (56th overall): Lucas Lessio- Left Wing- Oshawa (OHL)
Oshawa had a strong presence at the draft as the Coyotes selected Lessio, who was one of four players from the junior club who were drafted this weekend.
The native of Maple, Ont., finished last season with 27 goals and 27 assists for 54 points and 66 penalty minutes in 66 games, which was good for second in rookie scoring. Lessio was ranked 46th amongst all North American skaters.
Round 3 (84th overall): Harrison Ruopp- Defenseman- Prince Albert (WHL)
The Coyotes looked to Western Canada in round three as they took Ruopp, who is known for his hard, physical style of play.
The native of Zehner, Sask., notched nine assists and 98 penalty minutes in 54 games with Prince Albert last season. Over the last two seasons he’s recorded 136 penalty minutes. Ruopp was ranked 102nd amongst all North American skaters.
(note: click the video to the left to see a clip of Harrison Ruopp's physical play)
Round 4 (111th overall): Kale Kessy- Left Wing- Medicine Hat (WHL)
The Coyotes went back to selecting more forwards in the fourth round by taking Kessy with the 111th overall pick.
The native of Shaunavon, Sask., notched 10 goals and 14 assists for 24 points and 129 penalty minutes in 65 regular season games with Medicine Hat last season. Kessy also had three goals and three assists for six points and 37 penalty minutes in the postseason. He was ranked 101st amongst all North American skaters.
The Phoenix Coyotes in the draft
Round 1: Connor Murphy (20th overall)
Round 2: Alexander Ruuttu (51), Lucas Lessio (54)
Round 3: Harrison Ruopp (84)
Round 4: Kale Kessy (111)
Round 5: Darian Dziurzynsky (141)
Round 6: Andrew Fritsch (155)
Round 7: Zac Larraza (196), the 201st overall pick was traded to Tampa Bay for center Marc-Antoine Pouliot
(info courtesy of nhl.com and phoenixcoyotes.com)
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