| NAME: |
Eric Fehr |
| NHL/AHL: |
Washington Capitals/Hershey Bears |
| POSITION: |
Right Wing (RW) |
| HT: |
6-3 |
| WT: |
190 |
| BIRTHDATE: |
09-07-85 |
| BIRTHPLACE: |
WInkler, Manitoba |
| DRAFTED: |
Washington, 2003, 1st Round,18th OA |
| LAST CLUB : |
Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) |
There must be something special about the water in Winkler, Manitoba, or the air of this small Canadian prairie town of 7,943 that can produce two of the brightest power forward prospects in all of hockey, namely Eric Fehr and Anaheim's Dustin Penner (MLN FAB50 2006 Hockey No. 6).
While the two share community ties, Fehr and Penner took vastly different trails to hockey prominence: Penner's path has dipsied and doodled; Fehr's has been a straight slap shot.
Fehr was chosen by Washington with its top pick in 2003, then paid back the Capitals confidence with back-to-back 50 goal seasons for the Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL). More often than not, Fehr was on hand to put away nifty feeds from center Ryan Stone (MLN FAB50 2006 Hockey No. 42), himself a top prospect in the Pittsbugh Penguins chain.
"He plays strong and he's got a great shot," said Stone. "He can score goals. He's proved that in the last two years, and this year, as well. He can go in and some points to help his team win. He's done that ever since I've known him."
Fehr has enjoyed a strong rookie season, ranking all year among the AHL's rookie scoring leaders, while topping the 20 goal mark. He's seeing a lot of ice for the Bears in important situations, and has responded by netting nearly half his goals on the power play.
"He's probably a little bit like Penner," said Hershey coach Bruce Boudreau, "in that he probably wasn't as strong, his first year. He's got a good touch around the net. He's got to put on some muscle. He's got to get stronger along the boards. He doesn't contain too many guys. When he does that, he's going to be a good NHL player. But unless you're a 30 goal scorer, in the NHL, you've got to be able to do all those little things. Right now, he needs a little work on them."
Fehr positions well to move to the NHL if he can take his game up a notch. We believe that will happen sooner than later. He debuts on the MLN FAB50 2006 Hockey rankings at No. 5. There’s not much higher to go for him in the minors.
- Dan Hickling
