Jun. 22--Dallas Stars director of amateur scouting Tim Bernhardt played goalie in his pro career and has used that experience to help Dallas fill its net with impressive draft picks over the years. He's helped select Marty Turco, Mike Smith and Dan Ellis.
So when Bernhardt decided he liked Owen Sound netminder Tyler Beskorowany, few had issue with the selection.
The Stars had to reach a little to take Beskorowany with the 59th overall pick (he was the 11th-ranked goalie by Central Scouting and was the fifth goalie taken), and Bernhardt said moves like that contributed to making this the most challenging draft in Dallas Stars history.
"We were picking near the end of each round, so we really had to look at our pick as a high pick in the next round," Bernhardt explained. "We thought Beskorowany was going to go in the third round, so we had to take him or risk losing him before we got our third round pick."
That was how the day went for the Stars, who made five selections in the seven-round draft. Without a first-round pick (traded last season to Los Angeles for Mattias Norstrom), the Stars were not able to move up or collect extra picks, so they stayed put and hoped for the best.
Beskorowany, 18, is a big goalie (6-4, 203) who played for a bad team in the Ontario Hockey League. His numbers may be underwhelming (12-19-3, 4.04 goals-against average, .900 save percentage), but Bernhardt liked what he saw.
"He's a big goalie who moves well and has great potential," Bernhardt said. "We really think he has great upside."
But it may be a while before Beskorowany realizes that potential. Turco received his first NHL opportunity at 25. Smith was 24.
"I've seen what they've been able to do with goalies, so I'm just excited to be in their organization," Beskorowany said.
Dallas used its third-round pick to get a player out of AAA Midget -- one of the lowest levels for an 18-year-old. Still, center Scott Winkler has an interesting story. His dad is Canadian and is a coach. His mom is from Norway, and he was born and raised in Asker, Norway. So he played last season with Russell Stover in AAA Midget out of Kansas City and also played for Norway in the World Under 18 Championships.
He had 92 points (40 goals and 52 assists) in 70 games with Russell Stover and had two goals and five assists in five games with Team Norway. He will play next season for Cedar Rapids in the USHL and is committed to Colorado College for the 2009-10 season.
Dallas finished out with Danish defenseman Philip Larsen, Canadian forward Matt Tassone and 19-year-old defenseman Mike Bergin.
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