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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   ADDITIONAL ITEMS • Everett Silvertips (External Link) • Schedule (External Link)   CONTACT THE HERALD Report scores and results to 425-339-3470 or 1-866-6-SCORES (Call after 4:30 p.m.) E-mail information including items for Tuesday's Communities Sports Roundup and Thursday's Outdoor Calendar, to sports@heraldnet.com Kevin Brown, Sports Editor kbrown@heraldnet.com   Published: Saturday, June 21, 2008 Blackhawks pick talented Beach Everett Silvertips forward taken 11th overall in NHL draft By Nick Patterson Herald Writer The Chicago Blackhawks have one the most exciting young forward duos in the entire NHL. Now Kyle Beach has the opportunity to make it a trio. The Everett Silvertips forward is headed to the Windy City after the Blackhawks used the 11th pick overall to select Beach in Friday night's first round of the NHL draft. "It's pretty overwhelming," Beach said via cell phone from Ottawa, Ontario, where the draft is taking place. "It's a lot to take in, but it's a great time for myself and my family." He was one of nine Western Hockey League players drafted in the first round Friday night. Toronto took Kelowna defenseman Luke Schenn with the fifth pick, followed by Beach at 11, Kelowna defenseman Tyler Myers (12, Buffalo), Regina defenseman Colton Teubert (13, Los Angeles), Lethbridge forward Zach Boychuk (14, Carolina), Tri-City goaltender Chet Pickard (18, Nashville), Lethbridge defenseman Lura Sbisa (19, Philadelphia), Regina forward Jordan Eberle (22, Edmonton) and Medicine Hat forward Tyler Ennis (26, Buffalo). Beach, Everett's talented and temperamental 18-year-old star winger, greeted his mother Rhonda with a big hug after his name was called at Scotiabank Place. Now he's a member of an organization that appears to be on the rise. "I think it's outstanding," Everett general manager Doug Soetaert said of Beach's selection by Chicago. "To go anywhere in the first round is a prime acknowledgment of his talent and ability. He's worked hard all his life to get where he's at. To be selected by one of the original six (NHL teams) has to be exciting, and it's a club with a lot of good young forwards, so he should fit in well." Beach's selection makes it the third straight year Everett has had at least one first round NHL draft pick. In 2006 center Peter Mueller was taken eight overall by the Phoenix Coyotes and goaltender Leland Irving was taken 26th overall by the Calgary Flames. Last year center Zach Hamill was selected eighth overall by the Boston Bruins. Beach was considered the best power forward prospect in the draft. He brings goal scoring and a mean streak along with his 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame. Last season for the Tips he had 27 goals, 33 assists and 222 penalty minutes in 60 games. However, Beach also has had his share of undisciplined moments on the ice, and rumors have swirled about incidents off the ice, incidents Beach says have been blown out of proportion. Add in a second-half dropoff in production because of injuries and Beach was considered the big wild card in this year's draft. But that risk-reward nature made Chicago an ideal suitor. Chicago has been down and out the last decade. The Blackhawks haven't made the playoffs the past five seasons, and made it just once in the past 10. However, the Blackhawks have been stockpiling talent, and the past season finished with a winning record, narrowly missing the playoffs. The drive behind Chicago's improvement has been its young forwards. Patrick Kane, the first overall pick in last year's draft, won the Calder Trophy as the NHL rookie of the year after compiling 72 points in 82 games. Teammate Jonathan Toews also finished in the top three in the Calder voting after tallying 54 points in 64 games. Both were 19 years old. With those two in place, the Blackhawks were ready to take the plunge on Beach. "We had a good idea they were interested," Beach said. "They were the only team that guaranteed us they would take me if I was still there. They kept their word, and it was real nice to see that." Blackhawks general manager Dale Tallon indicated as much before the draft. In a story that appeared in the Chicago Sun-Times on Friday, he said the following about Beach: "He's a big, tough power forward who's a little different," Tallon said. "He's volatile and pisses people off. That's not a bad thing. "We've got some assets now," Tallon added. "We can be a little choosier and take some risks on somebody who could really help. We've had to take safe, solid picks the last four years." And Beach is salivating at the thought of playing alongside Kane and Toews. "It's unbelievable thinking of playing with those guys," Beach said. "And they're a team known to play their young guys, so that gives me a little extra hope and will make me work that much harder." Is it possible Beach won't return to Everett next season? Beach has two more seasons before he's eligible to play professionally in the minors. Therefore, to play pro he'd have to do so at the NHL level. "I'm not too concerned about that at this time," Soetaert said. "He still has a lot to learn and key things would have to happen. I think he has a great chance to make it as a 19-year-old, but I think he'll be here for one more year." However, Beach is going to do his best to crack the Blackhawks roster next season. He's resumed training after recovering from April hernia surgery, and he's hoping to be ready to participate in some capacity at Chicago's rookie camp, which begins July 6. "It's definitely a goal," Beach said of making the big club this season. "It's something to strive for. But at the same time I have a great relationship with everyone in Everett. If I do return I'll be back to work hard. But for now I'm going to enjoy the moment." Rounds two through seven of the draft take place today. Everett has a handful of players -- forwards Matt Ius and Jordan Mistelbacher, goaltender Shayne Barrie -- who have a chance of being selected in the later rounds.

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