Cohen Meets the Press

Colby Cohen, the Avs second draft choice and 45th overall met with the media following his selection. Commenting on his choice of Boston University where he'll join fellow Colorado draft choice Kevin Shattenkirk, he said:

"I'm an American kid and I've always liked the idea of college," said Colby Cohen, who's headed to Boston University after being selected in the second round by Colorado. "My mom went to Boston [University], so it's just the perfect fit. I'm going to head there with the Avalanche first-round pick Kevin Shattenkirk. We're rooming together, playing together."

A USCHO feature, "Meet the Press," included more thoughts from Cohen on where he'll call home in the near-term and later.

One of the most interesting aspects of the Draft weekend is the way in which these very young players deal with enormous media pressure. Cohen, a Philadelphia native, didn't disappoint, displaying an aptitude for handling tough questions from the press, displaying a sincerity and poise admirable for his young age.

He gushed about his immediate destination, but knew how to balance his answer. "I really like the [BU] coaching staff, the facilities were great, it's four hours from home.

"Boston's the best city in the world — well, it's right there with Denver."

Cohen talked with PhillyBurbs.com about coming from Philadelphia, a non-traditional hockey market that now is producing NHL prospects. He also particiapted in a pre-draft Q&A with the Journal Star in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he spent last season as the USHL's top-scoring defenseman.

Shattenkirk met with reporters Friday evening and the exchange, including his response to a question about being ranked 34th before the World U18s, is shown in a video clip. [Aside-don't you just love those XM Radio commercials, like the one preceeding this clip?]

More comments about his selection and the qualities that made him a first round draft choice:

"He wasn’t the top player on our list, but he was very high on our list,” said Avalanche chief scout Ted Hampson. “We saw several players we had behind Kevin go to other teams, and he became No. 1 on our list by five or six selections.

[Avs GM] Giguere began the task Friday by selecting Kevin Shattenkirk, with the 14th overall pick on the draft. The Boston University-bound defensemen earned raves for his offensive style and leadership skills while the captain of the U.S. Under-18 hockey team at the World Under-18 championship this past April in Finland."Our scouts came back raving about him when they came back from the world championships" Giguere said. "Just like me .. I came back raving about this guy."

"In terms of offensive upside and ability to change the game and be a big influence offensively, Kevin Shattenkirk, with his vision, is probably the cream of the crop " U.S. [NTDP U18] coach Ron Rolston said.

"He was the acknowledged leader both on the ice and in the dressing room for that U.S. Under-18 team” [Red Line Report's Kyle] Woodlief said. “He’s another kid who is not the biggest in the world, but he has excellent power-play skills with really good passing and vision. He tends to come up clutch in huge moments late in close games. So, that all plays to his advantage. The U.S. team actually used him as one of their shooters in all their shootouts and they were involved in a lot of shootouts. So, it was unusual that he was their go-to guy, even in shootouts."

2007 recruit Nick Bonino and 2008 recruit Andrew Glass were selected in the 6th and 7th round respectively. Bonino, the scoring leader at New England Prep champ Avon Old Farms, was taken by San Jose. Glass, who returns to Salisbury for his senior season, was chosen by the Washington Capitals.