This article originally appeared on The Hockey News' website.
Scouts often have a difficult decision to make on draft day: do you choose the talented kid who is healthy, or do you choose the really talented kid who has had injury problems?
The Flyers took the latter risk and made center Michael Chaput their first selection in the third round (89th overall) of the 2010 NHL draft. Chaput played for the Lewiston MAINEiacs of the Quebec League for the past two seasons, but in 2008-09, he suffered a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the majority of the season — a real backbreaker to his development that lead to just 10 points in 29 games in his rookie major junior season.
In his second season, Chaput upped his production more than 500 percent, posting 55 points in 68 games and leading Lewiston to the QMJHL playoffs. Though they lost in the first round, Chaput recovered fully from his injury and developed nicely. He was ranked 78th by NHL Central Scouting, but dropped to 89th on draft day when the Flyers — who were high on the Montreal native — selected him.
The 6-foot-2, 194-pound center can be a physical force on the ice, ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Alan Bass
NHL Prospect Watch: Philadelphia Flyers’ Michael Chaput
February 5th, 2011 by Alan Bass Leave a reply »
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