Coyotes surprise all by selecting Wheeler

Last year, the Phoenix Coyotes' top scouts were so disillusioned over management's haphazard approach to the draft, they walked out of an organizational meeting after the first day. This time, after management put complete faith in Vaughn Karpan and Dave Draper's crew, that group put its reputation on the line by making the shocking selection of Minnesota high school junior Blake Wheeler fifth overall. Most draft experts saw Wheeler as a late first-rounder at best. Karpan and Draper heavily scouted the 6-foot-4,200-pound 17-year-old who collected Wayne Gretzky-like numbers (45 goals, 100 points in 30 games) at Breck School and ranked him third behind Russian superstars Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin. “The kid is going to be a star,” Draper said. “Sometimes you have to pay a higher price than you'd like or…

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WORTH NOTING

Milestones, notable achievements and NHL debuts. NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS Blake Wheeler • RW, 17 Phoenix, June 26 at Raleigh Not ranked by any outlet as a first-rounder, yet selected fifth overall. San Jose Sharks PR department Wins Dick Dillman Award. Department headed by Ken Arnold gets kudos for “outstanding performance” by the PHWA. The Hockey News Draft Preview Twenty-four of top 30 actually go in first round (including six right on). The other six go in top 51 picks. Salmon Arm Silverbacks First junior-A team in modern draft to have two first-rounders in same year (Travis Zajac and Kris Chucko). Chicago Blackhawks Their 17 picks are the most since Montreal had 17 in 1982. St. Louis holds the record of 31 in 1978. Tim Brent • C, 20 Anaheim, June 26 at Raleigh Didn't sign with Ducks after being picked 37th overall in 2002, but Ducks…

Top pick Ovechkin greets visiting fans

The Washington Capitals hosted a reception for more than 200 fans who made the trip to the NHL entry draft and the star of the night was No. 1 overall pick Alexander Ovechkin, but not for the reasons you'd expect. Without prodding, he greeted all who entered, chatted with most and acted as a congenial young party host. With one move, the Caps hope they landed the cornerstone of their rebuilding foundation and a team player at the same time, two things they desperately need. GM George McPhee and majority owner Ted Leonsis have vowed not to put too much pressure on the youngster to do too much too soon. “We're not going to put him in over his head,” McPhee said. “We're going to give him the ice time he earns and make…