From May 7 through June 15, philadelphiaflyers.com will be profiling 30 of the top prospects in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft in alphabetical order. Check back daily from Monday through Friday to learn more about the players who could become first round draft picks of the club. Philadelphia has two first round picks, including the second choice overall.

The 2007 NHL Entry Draft takes place on June 22 and 23 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

Karl Alzner
2007 Team: Calgary (WHL)
Position: Defense
Shoots: Left
Height: 6’2’’
Weight: 206 
DOB: 9-24-88                                                                   

2007 Statistics
GP: 62 G: 8 A: 39 PTS: 47 PIM: 32

Overview:
Karl Alzner is among the top defensemen in this year’s upcoming draft. He is listed as the sixth highest skater on Central Scouting’s final draft rankings among North American skaters, and is the second-highest defenseman on that list behind only Keaton Ellerby. Alzner is one of the bigger prospects in the draft, and is already 206 pounds while standing at 6’2’’, making him the heaviest player among the Top 20 skaters in North America.

The Burnaby, British Columbia native has also been on a couple of successful national teams, winning the gold medal at the Under-18 championships with Canada in 2005 and adding another gold at the World Junior Championships in 2007. Alzner was Calgary’s representative for the 2005 and 2006 WHL Scholastic Player of the Year.

The Flyers say...
"He’s a big, mobile, two-way defenseman and rock solid on both ends of the ice."
- General Manager Paul Holmgren

"He’s a big defenseman who is a good skater and has a good head on his shoulders. He thinks the game through very well. He can move the puck, and is a good, solid two-way defenseman. He has some offense in his game and is going to be a big solid blueliner. The only question is, what is his top end and how high is he going to get? He’s going to play because he’s smart, mobile and has a good stick. He’s a very solid prospect."
- Director of Hockey Operations Chris Pryor

Video Profile:
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Scouting Video:
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Up next:
Mikael Backlund