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Ducks Take Fowler, Etem In First Round

With their first pick in the 2010 NHL Draft, the 12th overall selection, the Anaheim Ducks selected Cam Fowler, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound, 18-year old defenseman who last played for Windsor in the Ontario Hockey League.

Arthur from Anaheim Calling was ecstatic with the pick:

He didn't fall by himself-- the Rangers passed on both Fowler and Gormley to select McIlrath at 10th --but he did fall from where many people expected he'd be selected.  By all accounts, the Ducks weren't necessarily looking for a defenseman, but Fowler is a premier smooth-skating offensive-defenseman, a player who was so good that he made the Taylor/Tyler discussion the Big Three discussion for a while, and that's when he wasn't projected as 1st overall.

Here is video of Fowler's press conference, per Tyler Bleszinski of SB Nation:

The Ducks had another second round pick, the 29th overall selection, and picked Emerson Etem, a right winger from Long Beach by way of Emerson Hat in the Western Hockey League.  Arthur from Anaheim Calling breaks down the pick of Etem:

The book on Etem is that he's got a great shot, incredible speed and a strong work ethic.  He gives a solid interview, and he's worked hard to develop his game and his body, which he put on display with Combine Fitness Testing Top 10 finishes in Aerobic Fitness Test Duration, 4 Jump Average Height, Vertical Jump, Leg Power, Curl-Ups, and Pull Strength.  

His flaws?  He relies on that speed to the outside a little too much i.e. not all that creative offensively, and that gives the impression of a player who's a little bit raw.  But, as they say, give me two guys who get to first base at the same time, one with terrible form and one with perfect form, and I'll take the guy with terrible form every time.  (Because, if you teach him proper form, he'll get there faster).

So, all in all, today was an ideal situation.  The Ducks took advantage of their 12th overall pick; they selected a player who not only fell out of the Top 10 but the Top 5.  Then, at 29th, they got a player with the raw tools (speed and shot) they were severly lacking in the cupboard.  In terms of 'best player available' and 'organizational needs,' they could not have had a better Draft.