Dogs Pick Luke Green First Overall

SHERBROOKE, Que. – The Saint John Sea Dogs didn’t surprise anyone with the top pick in the 2014 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Entry Draft.

As expected, the Sea Dogs selected Newbridge Academy defenseman Luke Green first overall. Green, an offensive defenseman, recorded 17 goals and 20 assists in 34 regular season Nova Scotia Major Midget Hockey League games last season. He added another seven goals and 11 assists in 16 post-season games.

Green also impressed at the QMJHL’s Gatorade Excellence Challenge, finishing second in tournament scoring with three goals and 11 points in five games with Team Nova Scotia.

The 16-year old from Bedford was ranked fourth by HockeyProspect.com and fifth by QMJHL Central Scouting.

“When watching him play, you are instantly drawn in and as you continue to watch, you become aware that his skating provides the foundation for solid puck handling skill that at times can leave you breathless,” writes HockeyProspect.com. “Every shift he is on the ice is a potential to make an amazing play with the puck. His offensive hockey IQ is perhaps the most developed out of this draft class, as he anticipates and reads the game at an elite level, creating opportunities where others do not see them.”

“Luke is at his best in transition thanks to the smoothness of his skating stride,” QMJHL scouting director Pascal Legault said. “He still needs some work on his play in his own zone, however. He sees the ice really well though. That’s in part what makes him so dangerous on the power-play.”

Green is listed at 5’11”, 168 lbs. Over the past few weeks, scouting folks have been comparing him to Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang.

The addition of Green gives the Sea Dogs a really solid defensive core moving forward with the likes of Olivier LeBlanc, Will Thompson, Thomas Chabot, and others returning.

This pick also keeps the tradition of the Dogs taking d-men with the first overall pick alive. Saint John picked first in 2005, 2006, and 2007 and selected defensemen each time (Alex Grant, Yann Sauve, and Simon Despres).

Saint John also has the 15^th overall selection in today's first-round.