KERFOOT DRAFTED BY NEW JERSEY

 

 Alex Kerfoot today became the 6th player since the Express franchise began back in 2001 to be drafted directly from the club by an NHL club when he was selected by the New Jersey Devils in the 5th round 150th overall.

The West Vancouver native is the first player drafted directly from the Express since Kyle Turris was drafted in the 1st round 3rd overall by the Phoenix Coyotes in 2007.

Kerfoot joins the likes of the aforementioned Turris, Brett Hemingway, David Jones, Brandon Yip and Keith Seabrook to be selected by NHL clubs directly from the Express. The Express now have had 12 players who have played for their club drafted by NHL teams.

In his first full season in the BCHL, Kerfoot was named the Coastal Conference rookie of the year, and Most Sportsmanlike player plus he was a First Team All Star after posting 25 goals, 44 assists for 69 points in 51 games. The 44 assists for Kerfoot established a new Express rookie record for most assists in a season.

Back in November, Kerfoot won a gold medal with Team Canada West in the World Junior A Challenge held in Langley. He scored the overtime winning goal vs. Sweden in the Semi Final to send his team to the gold medal game. Kerfoot also scored in the championship game vs. Team Canada East. A total of 7 members of the gold medal winning Canada West team were picked by NHL teams this weekend in Pittsburgh.

Overall, it was a pretty good day for the BCHL at the NHL draft where a total of 5 players were selected from BCHL clubs. Jujar Kharia was selected in the 3rd round 63rd overall by Edmonton, Powell River goaltender Sean Maguire went in the 4th round 113th overall to Pittsburgh, Reece Wilcox of Merritt was selected just ahead of Kerfoot by Philadelphia 141st overall, and Wesley Myron of Victoria was 5th BCHLer selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the 6th round 177th overall.

Two other former BCHL players were drafted as well with former Penticton Vee Joey Laleggia being selected by Edmonton in the 5th round 123rd overall. And former Powell River King Jamie Phillips was picked by Winnipeg in the 7th round 190th overall.

Click below to hear from Alex Kerfoot.
 

Click below to hear from New Jersey's Director of Scouting David Conte to review the Devils 2012 Draft including the selection of Kerfoot.