06/24/2007

Weber drafted in 2nd

Columbus takes defenseman with 53rd overall pick

FROM STAFF AND WIRE

Special to the Record-Eagle/
Larry Radloff
Gaylord's Will Weber tries on his newest jersey after being picked in the second round of the NHL draft by the Colum- bus Blue Jackets.

See related story

• Scouts don't underestimate Gaylord's Weber

COLUMBUS, Ohio — It isn't quite to No. 1 overall pick, but Will Weber will gladly take it.

The Gaylord High School defenseman was selected by the NHL draft's host team, the Columbus Blue Jackets, with the 53rd pick.

This comes a little over a month after Weber was taken No. 1 overall in the United States Hockey League draft by the Chicago Steel.

The NHL couldn't display his name on the giant draft board because no one thought he would be selected.

"It was a complete surprise,” Weber said, shaking his head. "It's amazing.”

Weber went from not even being on NHL Central Scouting's midseason list to being the No. 53 pick in just two months.

Skill was obvious in the 6-foot-4, 205-pound blueliner. But it was his size and skating ability that had scouts drooling once they saw the prep senior in action late in the season.

The Blue Jackets acquired the 53rd pick in this year's draft along with third- and fourth-round picks in 2006 from San Jose for Jamie McGinn, last year's second-round pick.

Columbus picked Halifax right winger Jakub Voracek seventh overall in the first round and Mississauga (OHL) right wing Stefan Legein at No. 37.

The left-handed shooting Weber had 18 goals and 38 points with a plus-22 rating this season, earning a spot on the Michigan Dream Team, the Record-Eagle Dream Team and a recent selection to Team Michigan.