Hockey personnel chiefs are supposed to be predictors of the future. But if the collective NHL scouting minds had known that Corey Locke was going to amass 114 goals and 267 points in his last two seasons in junior, someone might have spent something higher than a fourth round choice on Locke back in the 2003 draft.
As it is, the Montreal Canadiens are the lucky recipients of Locke, who is in his second AHL season with Hamilton.
Perhaps it was Locke's size, or lack thereof, that scared off the NHL's tire kickers. That was then, before the "little man" was welcomed back into the game.
Even so, Locke said he hasn't spent time showing the Other 29 teams what they could have had. His sights are solely trained on making it in Montreal.
"I just wanted to get drafted," said Locke. "You want to get picked up by a team that wants you. I'm proud to be drafted by Montreal, the winningest team in (history), with all those Stanley Cups. The tradition, the passion, the fans. The list goes on. You can't ask for much more."
All the Hamilton Bulldogs can ask from Locke is that he keep developing.
"He's a really smart player," said Hamilton coach Don Lever. "His game is controlling the puck. Controlling the puck in the right areas is what we're working with him on. Not turning it over when it's unnecessary. He's got to develop a little bit of quickness, but his hands are wonderful. He's got to add just a little leg strength, because he's got the mind and the hands to play in the National Hockey League."
We rank him in the middle of the overall pack of new faces in the freshman forties.
- Dan Hickling
