Incoming Recruits Brown, Lynch Chosen in NHL Draft
6/27/2009 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
MONTREAL, Quebec -- Two incoming freshmen from the University of Michigan ice hockey team were chosen in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft on Saturday (June 27). Forwards Chris Brown(Flower Mound, Texas) and Kevin Lynch(Grosse Pointe, Mich.) were second-round draft picks. Brown went 36th overall to the Phoenix Coyotes, while Lynch was picked by the Columbus Blue Jackets 56th overall.
Entering the draft, Brown (6-2, 201 pounds) was rated No. 30 among North American skaters by the Central Scouting Service (Brown's NHL Prospect Card). He played the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons alongside Lynch for the U.S. National Team Development Program. Brown finished the 2008-09 campaign with 20 goals, 10 on the power play, and 18 assists in 62 games. His 120 penalty minutes were tops on the U.S. NTDP Under-18 Team. He also won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2009 IIHF World Under-18 Championship.
"Chris plays a tough and physical style game," said NHL Central Scouting's Gary Eggleston. "He sets the tone of the game by taking the body hard and making a statement right from the opening faceoff. He'll drive his way through checks to get to the puck. He's a very good skater with a long, smooth stride with balance and agility. He has very good anticipation of the play, and plays a solid two-way game."
Lynch (6-1, 192 pounds) was listed No. 100 in the CSS' North American rankings (Lynch's NHL Prospect Card). In 63 games for the U.S. NTDP Under-18 Team, he had 24 goals, 24 assists and 54 penalty minutes. He had a very strong end to his season, recording five goals and five assists in seven games as Team USA won the gold medal at the 2009 IIHF World Under-18 Championship. Lynch has been invited to USA Hockey's National Junior Evaluation Camp, which is slated for August.
Michigan's 2009-10 roster is slated to include 12 players who have been drafted by NHL franchises.
N O T E S
Chris Brown is the fifth Wolverine to be drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes (Josh Blackburn, 1998; Kevin Porter, 2004; Chad Kolarik, 2004; Chris Summers, 2006). Two U-M alumni made their NHL debuts with the Coyotes in 2008-09 -- forward Kevin Porter (U-M 2005-09) and goalie Al Montoya (2003-05).
Kevin Lynch is the first Wolverine to be chosen by the Columbus Blue Jackets organization. U-M alumnus Blake Sloan (1994-97) spent two seasons playing for Columbus in 2000-01 and 2001-02.
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
