AUGUST 18, 1947
DRAFT GRADES HANDED OUT BY OSA
The Chicago Packers led the way when it comes to the quality of their draft selections last month. That is the verdict of the OSA's hockey division, which praised the Packers, Detroit and Boston for having the best draft classes. The Packers, who selected 5th in the 6-team loop, had Mike Van Tol as their top selection. The 19-year-old defenseman from Windsor, Ont., was number two on the mock draft after spending last season with the Springfield Hornets of the HAA. Van Tol, described as an "old-school" rearguard, quickly agreed to a contract with the Packers and is expected to challenge for a spot on their blueline this season. He was the only one of Chicago's seven selections to sign with the club as the others will be left to develop in various minor leagues until they are deemed ready to complete for a spot with the Packers.
The Detroit Motors had the second best class, if OSA is to be believed. Center Ben Witt, selected 4th overall, and second round choice Herm Kruse were both signed by the Motors. Witt, is a high ceiling pivot who was a teammate of Van Tol's at Springfield last season. The British Columbia native is expected to make the Motors roster this season, as is Kruse -a big, crease, clearing defenseman from Niagara Falls. Rounding out the top half of the draft classes would be the Boston Bees, who's top choice was center James Smart. The Halifax, NS, native was the only one of the Bees selections signed to a contract this off-season.
At the other end of the spectrum you have the New York Shamrocks, a club that OSA feels deserves some criticism for their draft day decisions. That may reflect more on their depth choices rather than first rounder Jim Macek, a grinding Toronto-born left winger with a lot of tenacity. The other two clubs -the Toronto Dukes and Montreal Valiants- each signed two players from their draft group including Toronto's top pick Lou Galbraith -the first overall selection- and Francis McKenzie, picked second by the Vals.
BACKLUND SIGNS WITH PACKERS
The Chicago Packers added some goaltending depth to their organization with the news that 24-year-old Andy Backlund agreed to terms with the Windy City club. With Norm Hanson locked in as the Packers starter, Backlund will battle with incumbent Cole Foster and Mike Cleghorn, who spent some time with the Packers last season, for the back-up job with the two left on the outside likely being assigned to the Pittsburgh Rovers of the HAA.
Origninally a 1942 fifth round pick of the Montreal Valiants, Backlund made his NAHC debut with the Vals in 1944-45. He was the backup to Millard Touhey each of the past three seasons, playing in a career high 10 games last year. Backlund has a 5-5-2 record with a 2.82 career goals against average in the NAHC. The signing of the Sault Ste. Marie native gives the Packers plenty of goaltending depth as all four of their contracted netminders spent at least part of the season in the NAHC a year ago.
OTHER HEADLINES THIS WEEK
- Bobby Barrell belted 4 more homers last week and now has 51 on the season. He has six weeks left in his chase to break Max Morris' 1923 record 60 homerun season.
- The St Louis Pioneers are 9.5 games up on second place Detroit in their quest for the club's first pennant since 1921. The Philadelphia Sailors lead the New York Stars by 3.5 games in the Continental Association.
- Harold Stephens became the first man to both enter and leave the ring with the world welterweight title in 7 years after Stephens scored a 6th round TKO win over Carl Taylor Saturday night in Boston.
- The United States warned other nations that if the UN Security Council fails to solve the Balkan problem the United States is prepared to join with other countries to protect Greece "within the provisions of the charter."
- Russia has charged that "the crudest interference into the internal affairs of Greece emanates at present from the United States," in blaming the Americans for aggravating Balkan troubles.
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THIS WEEK IN FIGMENT BASEBALL.