2002 NHL Entry Draft

SCOTTIE UPSHALL

NASHVILLE • ROUND: 1 OVERALL: 6

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Previous Team: Kamloops Blazers (WHL)

Pre-Draft Rankings

NHL Central Scouting: 5  Midterm Rank: 3

The Hockey News: 7    Red Line Report: 6

Vital Statistics

Position: RW • Height: 5-11½ • Weight: 176 • Shoots: Left
Birthdate: Oct. 7, 1983 • Hometown: Fort McMurray, Alberta

Pre-Draft Notes

Central Scouting Report: A good skater with very quick acceleration ... very well-balanced and hard to knock of the puck ... a highly-skilled player who plays a solid all-round game ... a creative playmaker with keen on-ice perception who uses his teammates well ... a good decision-maker who has the ability to create good scoring chances ... possesses very strong puck-handling skills and has the ability to score in many different ways ... a tough, gritty competitor who plays bigger than his size and does not shy away from the physical gamje ... plays a very consistent game and is always a standout player ... a tenacious forechecker and solid two-way player ... is used in all game situations.

THN Draft Preview: Everybody wants a Scottie Upshall on their team because of his immense leadership and character attributes. And these qualities make up for his skill level. At 5-foot-11½ and 176 pounds, Upshall is not a huge guy, either. He's more along the lines of a Mike Ricci, and there isn't a team who wouldn't want Ricci. When the few really skilled guys in the draft are gone, Upshall becomes the next best thing to a sure thing.

Red Line Report: A highly skilled and feisty forward who plays bigger than his size. Fights through traffic and has very good hands. He sees the ice well and creates chances for both himself and linemates. Plays a grating game that gets under opponents' skin and throws them off their game. Has great acceleration; goes from 0 to 60 in a single stride. Has shown willingness to play in traffic areas and will drive the net with or without the puck. He has great agility and moves, and can turn good defenders inside-out and create off the rush. Plays a disciplined, defensively aware game, and is probably the most complete, all-around forward in the draft, but he'll need to get stronger to play his game at the next level.
Projection: Legitimate first line scoring winger. Style compares to Mark Recchi.

Pre-Draft Quotes

Scottie is an exceptional talent both in skill and scoring, but also in grit and determination. He has a fierceness in his game that elevates him among the best in his age group in all of junior hockey. Our organization and our fans are fortunate that he wears the Blazer uniform.

-- Mike Moore, General Manager, Kamloops Blazers

Yes, he can skate. Yes, he can shoot the puck. Yes, he can pass it. There are lots of players who can do all of these things and do them well. Tehre are few who do those things and also play with Upshall's fire and emotion.

-- Gregg Drinnan, Kamlooops-Based Sportswriter

His skill level is god enough to play in the league. Everything is good. But he is not a highly-skilled player. He is more like an adequately-skilled player for the NHL with a lot of character.

-- Anonymous NHL Exec, Hockey News Draft Preview

Upshall is not a flashy player, but he's a player you might win a lot of games with. The question is for a team picking near the top, you are looking for more upside because there is a chance Upshall is only a third-line player. And you're looking at front-line players if you're picking in the top five.

-- Anonymous NHL GM, Hockey News Draft Preview