Everett, Wash.
Published: Friday, June 20, 2008

Silvertips' Beach a conundrum in NHL draft

NHL teams like the Everett forward's size, strength, toughness and skill, but aren't enamored with his on-ice antics and off-ice issues.

By Nick Patterson
Herald Writer

 EVERETT -- Kyle Beach will not be the first pick in today's NHL draft.

The Everett Silvertips winger is not expected to go in the top five. There's even been some suggestion he could fall out of the first round.

However, when it comes to buzz, Beach is the undisputed No. 1.

Beach has created the perfect storm at the draft, which takes place today and Saturday in Ottawa. On the one hand, he's arguably the best power forward prospect to come along in years, a mouthwatering combination of size, strength, skill and toughness. On the other hand, he carries around a steamer trunk's worth of baggage stemming from his on-ice antics and rumored off-ice issues.

So while he may not be the best prospect in this year's draft, he is certainly the most talked about.

"I don't think you can pay attention to that stuff," Beach said Thursday via cell phone from Ottawa. "If I worried about that stuff I think I'd be in a hospital due to stress. I know everybody has an opinion and they have a right to voice it, but I know what's true and what's not, so I'm not going to pay any attention to that."

It's a foregone conclusion that the Tampa Bay Lightning will use the first overall pick on center Steven Stamkos from the Ontario Hockey League's Sarina Sting. The OHL defensive trio of Drew Doughty, Zach Bogosian and Alex Pietrangelo are the presumptive next three picks.

But the biggest question mark in many minds is where Beach, the big wild card of the draft, will eventually land.

"I've never seen a player who's not the consensus No. 1 get as much media attention as Kyle," said Everett coach John Becanic, who's fielded his share of calls regarding Beach. "He's the most intriguing player in the draft for a lot of people."

With good reason. During the first half of last season Beach was making a play for the top oveall spot with his dominating performances for the Tips.

However, a pair of fight-incurred concussions, combined with a dramatic dropoff in production during the second half, saw Beach's stock tumble. Add in a public falling out with Canada's under-18 team last summer, as well as rumored off-ice incidents (which Beach denies), and some teams considered Beach untouchable.

But Beach was able to present his side of the off-ice rumors at the recent draft combine, and he also revealed he played the second half of the season with a sports hernia. Those seem to have buoyed his stock back up, and grumblings around the league indicate teams are interested in trading into the top 10 to pick Beach.

"There's not really anyone else like him," analyst Bob McKenzie said on TSN.com. "No one that big, that tough, that mean, that talented. ... The question is whether a team will step up on Beach in the top 10 and make that commitment, to look past the question marks."

All of which has made Beach a hot commodity since he arrived in Ottawa on Tuesday. He's had nonstop meetings and media requests since his arrival, and just about every major hockey media outlet has some sort of feature trying to unravel the mystery of Kyle Beach.

While the media whirlwind swirls around him, Beach, joined in Ottawa by a modest entourage that includes his parents, brother, girlfriend and agent, is trying to remain relaxed.

"It's been crazy, I thought it was going to be relaxing out here," Beach said with a chuckle.

"I think it's been way more than I expected," Beach added. "I don't think anyone realizes what goes into being in the draft. It's been an amazing experience that's provided a lot of life lessons, and I've really enjoyed it."

Only the first round is being conducted today. Rounds two through seven take place Saturday.

Everett has a handful of players who have a chance of being picked Saturday, though none of them is a lock. Forwards Matt Ius and Jordan Mistelbacher have size and show signs of potential, but did not produce much as 17-year-old rookies. Goaltender Shayne Barrie showed well when he played, but as Leland Irving's backup last season those chances were rare.

Nick Patterson's Silvertips blog: http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog
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