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 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.

Alexei Cherepanov
2007 Team: Omsk (Russia)
Position: Right wing
Shoots: Left
Height: 6’0’’
Weight: 183
DOB: 1-15-89

2007 Statistics
GP: 46 G: 18 A: 11 PTS: 29 PIM: 45

Overview:
Alexei Cherepanov is one of the highest rated prospects in this year’s draft, and is listed in the top spot on Central Scouting’s final rankings among European players.

The Omsk, Russia native had a tremendous Under-18 tournament in Finland this year, leading his country to the title. He gave Russia a 5-4 lead with a third-period goal as they held on for a 6-5 victory over the United States in the title game, as well as scored the game-winner with one second left in Russia’s semifinal win over Sweden. His five goals and three assists in the tournament earned him All-Star honors. He also impressed earlier in the year in the Under-20 World Junior Championships, helping Russia to a silver medal and a selection to the All-Tournament Team.

During the regular season, Cherepanov scored 18 goals to set a new rookie goal-scoring record previously held by Pavel Bure. Cherepanov also added 11 assists for 29 points. By way of comparison, Alexander Ovechkin scored eight goals and 15 points in 40 RSL games as a 17-year-old rookie, while Evgeny Malkin tallied three goals and 12 points in 33 games.

While he certainly had his highlights this season, Cherepanov did not have a good Five-Nations Under-18 tournament in the Czech Republic. He has a tendency to lose intensity at times in games leading some scouts to question his overall ability and physical strength.

The Flyers say...
"He has excellent speed and skills. He can really ‘wow’ you when he has the puck."
- General Manager Paul Holmgren

"Alexei Cherepanov is a highly skilled guy who broke all of Alexander Ovechkin’s records in the senior men’s league in Russia, so that tells you what type of skill level he has. He’s had a good year. With those Russian guys, sometimes they are very skilled and they can bring that dimension to the game like Ilya Kovulchuk and Ovechkin and those types of guys."
- Director of Hockey Operations Chris Pryor

Up next:
Logan Couture