THE CANADIAN PRESS
PITTSBURGH — The Ottawa Senators saw some bloodlines they liked Saturday at the NHL draft.
Tim Boyle, younger brother of New York Rangers forward Brian Boyle, went in the fourth round — 106th overall — to the Senators. Tim, 19, played high school hockey in Massachusetts and is expected to go to Union College in Schenectady, N.Y.
"We went to see other guys on his team and (scout) Bob Janecyk and I always came out and said ‘Well this guy’s the best player on his team,"’ said Pierre Dorion, Ottawa’s director of player personnel.
Dorion said that was the refrain every time they saw the six-foot-two, 175-pound Boyle.
"He kept jumping out at us," said Janecyk, citing Boyle’s puck awareness and ability to jump into the rush.
"He’s a skilled guy, he can skate, he’s got good size. It’s just going to be time with him," he added.
Ottawa, who used its first pick Friday night on 18-year-old defenceman Cody Ceci of the Ottawa 67’s, also took a pair of goalies Saturday. Chris Driedger of the Calgary Hitmen was the Sens’ second-round selection, 76th overall.
"A big body," Dorion said of the six-foot-two, 187-pound Driedger. "We’re really confident that this goalie will turn out to be a good goalie down the road."
Driedger is expected to start in Calgary this season, with another goalie having been traded.
Francois Brassard, who is coming off his first season with the QMJL Quebec Remparts, went in the sixth round — 166th overall — to the Senators.
"We know he’s going to be the No. 1 goalie in Quebec," Dorion said.
His father, Marc, is sports editor of Le Droit newspaper in Ottawa,
"He’s a battler," Sens scout Trent Mann said of Francois.
"When someone like Patrick Roy picks you on his team, you have to assume there’s something there," he added.
The Sens selected Owen Sound forward Jarrod Maidens in the third round, 82nd overall. Maidens had a concussion this season but Dorion says he has been cleared.
"We know he’s a pro. He’s going to produce down the road."
Ottawa used its fifth-round pick on centre Robert Baillargeon from Indiana of the USHL.
"He’s a skilled kid going to BU (Boston University)," said Dorion.
The Sens took Mikael Wikstrand with their seven-round pick, 196th overall.
"He’s a typical Swedish defenceman. Smart, moves the puck well," said Dorion.
