Ashton & Yadlowski at NHL Combine

Toronto, ON – 91-born forward Carter Ashton and 91-born defenseman Brennan Yadlowski have hit the ground running at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft Combine in Toronto this week. The combine began and will run all this week from the Westin Bristol Place hotel in Toronto. The annual event hosts over 100 of the best draft-eligible players from North America and Europe, with each of the prospects undergoing a vigorous round of physical, medical and psychological tests. Each NHL club is represented at the combine by management and scouting staff and has the opportunity to evaluate each prospect in an interview as well as the three hour medical and physical examinations.

Both Ashton and Yadlowski were ranked in the NHL Central Scouting Service’s Final Rankings for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft to be held this June; and both were invited to be among the 104 prospects at this season’s evaluation. Ashton, the Hurricanes 1st round pick (7th overall) in the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft has been ranked 12th among North American skaters while Yadlowski was ranked 70th.

Ashton, finished his injury shortened rookie season in 2007-2008 with nine points (5G, 4A) in 40 WHL games. He then had a breakout 2008-2009 season leading the Hurricanes with 30 goals and 10 power play goals. He was the recipient of the Hurricanes Top Draft Prospect Award, the Hurricanes Three Stars Award and co-winner of the Hurricanes Community Relations Award. Ashton also participated in the 2009 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Oshawa, Ontario.

“It’s an honor for myself, Brennan [Yadlowski] and the other 2009 prospects to be invited to this event. I have been working hard to prepare for it and now I just want to perform to the best of my abilities.” said Ashton who will work out later in the week and has been meeting with NHL executives “An event like this is a great experience for any prospect because you get to meet with a lot of good hockey people and you get an opportunity to interview with a lot of the NHL clubs and their administration”

Yadlowski had a solid rookie campaign in 07-08 and logged good minutes as a rookie defenseman in the WHL. He was a fifth round pick and the first defenseman chosen by the Hurricanes in the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft (97th overall). In 2008-2009, Yadlowski was a consistent contributor to a developing Hurricanes defense and has improved his rank from 153rd in the CSS Mid Term rankings to 70th. Yadlowski is now a two time winner of the Hurricanes Scholastic Player of the Year award (07-08, 08-09) as well as the Hurricanes Most Improved player award. (07-08, 08-09)

The 2008 NHL Entry Draft marked a historical event for the Lethbridge Hurricanes as it was the first time in team history that the Hurricanes had a pair of players drafted in the first round of the NHL Draft in the same year. Zach Boychuk was selected in the first round (14th overall) by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2008 Draft – tying him with Brent Seabrook as the highest drafted Lethbridge Hurricanes player of all time. European defenseman Luca Sbisa was then selected in the first round (19th overall) by the Philadelphia Flyers.

Thanks to Ryan Ohashi at the Canes' office for the info.
Pat