Matt Delahey's draft value soared during a breakout season with the WHL's Regina Pats.

Where he'll land is anyone's guess.

"You've worked towards it for a while and it's exciting that it's here but, yeah, I'm getting nervous too because you never know what will happen," Delahey said of the 2008 NHL entry draft, which runs today and Saturday in Ottawa. "It was nice to see (my stock rise), I won't lie, but the rankings don't mean a whole lot. You just need one team to like you."

With that in mind, Delahey is trying to approach the draft without any pre-conceived notions.

"I've done everything I can do," he noted. "It would be nice to get drafted but it's not the end of the world if it doesn't happen. Obviously the higher the better, but I'm fine with anything. Seventh round and I'd still be happy."

Delahey evolved into one of Regina's most reliable blueliners last season, finishing the campaign with 19 points, 68 penalty minutes and a plus-seven rating in 68 games. At the end of the season, Central Scouting ranked him 67th among North American-based skaters eligible for the draft.

"I just gained more confidence and (the coaches) gained more confidence in me," said the 6-foot-3, 214-pounder. "When I got to play more, I could show what I can do."

Delahey said he talked to "a few (NHL) teams" over the course of last season, plus five more during the recent draft combine in Toronto. Delahey was pleased to receive an invitation to the combine, which is reserved for the Top 100 draft-eligible prospects.

"I thought it was a good experience," he said. "I trained hard for it. I hope it helps. My interviews were all pretty good, but I heard about some stuff with a lot of guys getting peppered a bit with questions. The fitness testing was fun but it was tough too being on the bike in front of all those scouts. It was kind of nerve wracking."

Asked if he has a gut feeling on which team might select him, Delahey said the clubs were all pretty careful to not "show their cards."

"The teams that talked to me seemed interested but you never know," he said, citing teammate Brett Leffler. "Last year Washington didn't talk to Leffler once before the draft and then they took him (in the fifth round)."

Although Delahey's fate isn't expected to be known until Saturday, when Rounds 2 through 7 are conducted, he will be watching closely tonight for teammates Colten Teubert and Jordan Eberle. Both players are attending the draft in person and could be selected on the first day.

"I'll be texting those guys," added Delahey. "I think both of those guys will be gone Friday, but I guess you never know.

© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2008

Back