2002 NHL Entry Draft

RYAN WHITNEY

PITTSBURGH • ROUND: 1 OVERALL: 5

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Previous Team: Boston University (Hockey East)

Pre-Draft Rankings

NHL Central Scouting: 3  Midterm Rank: 4

The Hockey News: 5    Red Line Report: 10

Vital Statistics

Position: D • Height: 6-3½ • Weight: 202 • Shoots: Left
Birthdate: Feb. 19, 1983 • Hometown: Scituate, Mass.

Pre-Draft Notes

Central Scouting Report: Ryan is a very strong skater with a long smooth stride ... has exceptional lateral mobility ... possesses excellent passing and puck-handling skills ... is very confident with the puck and has the ability to lead the offensive rush ... has a low, hard shot from the point ... an intelligent player with impressive hockey sense ... anticipates the play very well and is very strong in one-on-one situations ... has the ability to control the tempo of the game ... has impressive strength and plays an aggressive game ... an effective stick checker, utilizing his long reach ... very strong along the boards and in front of the net ... plays a very good positional game and can dominate the defensive zone ... a tough competitor and consistent player.

THN Draft Preview: Ryan Whitney is proof positive that big things can come in skinny packages. Whitney is a very big guy who is very mobile. He has excellent range and is smart with the puck and shows patience leading the rush. He's 6-foot-3½ and 202 pounds, which scouts call "skinny." But he has "top-4 defenseman" glued to his forehead. Whitney has a low, hard, accurate shot. Another plus is his anticipation and ability to read the play. He has good strength, but some people question his grit.

Red Line Report: Has rare physical gifts: size, mobility, and vision. Six-foot-four inch frame with outstanding skating ability and footwork. Makes exceptional passes -- both breakouts and long home runs through the neutral zone that beat the trap. But after three years of making excuses for his slow decision-making ability, we can't ignore it any longer. Must clear the zone quicker; consistently allowing forecheckers to get on him before getting rid of the puck, and we see no evidence of improvement. This will be a problem as he goes up in levels and deals with faster, more powerful forecheckers. Has tools to be a superb PP quarterback, and has greatly improved his physical play and willingness to compete hard every night. Must cut bad giveaways in own zone.
Projection: No. 2 defenseman and PP quarterback. Style compares to Paul Mara/Vladimir Malakhov.

Pre-Draft Quotes

We knew when we recruited him that he would be an impact player for us, and he has definitely played as we had expected. He has great size, is an excellent puck handler. He is also a great passer, which makes him a good offensive defenseman. He has also gotten stronger since he's been here, and he has been playing much better defensively. It is easy to see why he is a top prospect.

-- Jack Parker, Head Coach, Boston University

He uses his range well and with his size and skating, the range becomes a huge asset. He moves the puck well and has second and third options. If the play is not there, he will hold on and pass it to somebody else.

-- Anonymous NHL Scout, Hockey News Draft Preview

He is not a gritty guy, and the question is: Will he always be skinny?

-- Anonymous NHL GM, Hockey News Draft Preview