Recruits Gibson, Serville Picked in 2011 NHL Entry Draft
6/25/2011 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
June 25, 2011
Note: On July 27, 2011, John Gibson decided not to attend the University of Michigan.
• NHL.com Video: Gibson 
| Serville
• Michigan Players Selected in the NHL Draft
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- A pair of incoming freshmen for the University of Michigan ice hockey team were selected at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft on Saturday (June 25). Goaltender John Gibson (Pittsburgh, Pa.) was chosen by the Anaheim Ducks in the second round (39th overall), while defenseman Brennan Serville (Pickering, Ontario) was picked by the Winnipeg Jets in the third round (78th overall).
Gibson (6-3, 206 pounds) was the top-ranked North American goalie by the NHL Central Scouting Service. He spent the past two seasons with the Ann Arbor-based U.S. National Team Development Program. In 2010-11, Gibson had a 24-11-3 record with a 2.55 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage for the U.S. NTDP Under-18 Team, backstopping Team USA to a gold medal at the 2011 IIHF World Under-18 Championships in April. His 6-0-0 record, 2.34 GAA and .926 save percentage at the tournament earned him the Directorate Award for Best Goaltender. In June, Gibson was named USA Hockey's 2011 Dave Peterson Goalie of the Year. In 2009-10, he had a 10-12-1 record, 3.76 GAA and .895 save percentage with the U.S. NTDP Under-17 Team.
"John has great net coverage and size, and is very strong," said Al Jensen from NHL Central Scouting. "He's sound technically, moves very well laterally and is controlled. He's calm, not busy."
Serville (6-3, 184 pounds) was rated the 104th-best skater in North America heading into the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. The blueliner played for the Stouffville Spirit of the Ontario Junior Hockey League for the last two seasons. In 2010-11, he had three goals, 27 assists and 29 penalty minutes in 36 regular-season games to earn North-West Conference First Team All-Prospect accolades. He also played in the CJHL Prospects Game for Team East. Serville helped Team Canada East win a silver medal at the 2010 World Junior 'A' Challenge. In 2009-10, he had a 3-12-15 line for the Spirit. Over two playoffs, he had 3-12-15 totals in 23 games.
In 2011-12, the Wolverines are slated to have 12 players on their roster who have been drafted by NHL teams.
N O T E S
• John Gibson is the eighth U-M goaltender to be drafted in program history. He is the second-highest pick following Al Montoya, who went sixth overall to the New York Rangers in 2004.
• Gibson is the fifth Wolverine to be drafted by the Ducks. The others were Brandon Rogers (2001), Jason Bailey (2005), Mark Mitera (2006) and Steve Kampfer (2007).
• Brennan Serville is the second player to be chosen by the Atlanta/Winnipeg franchise. Milan Gajic was picked by the Thrashers in 2001. The original Winnipeg Jets (now the Phoenix Coyotes) chose six Wolverines from 1980-91.
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
