The 2009 NHL Entry Draft took place in Montreal, Quebec on Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27. The Philadelphia Flyers had seven picks in the draft, including the 21st overall selection in the first round.



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The Philadelphia Flyers completed the following transactions at the 2009 National Hockey League Entry Draft on Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27 at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

In the first round on Friday, June 26, the Flyers acquired 6’6”, 213-pound defenseman Chris Pronger, and forward Ryan Dingle from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for right wing Joffrey Lupul, defenseman Luca Sbisa, the team’s first-round pick (21st overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the team’s first round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, and a conditional third-round draft pick.

Pronger conference call | Holmgren talks about the trade |  Official club press release | Media availability transcripts

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On Saturday, June 27, the Flyers had a total of six selections in rounds two though seven of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Adam Morrison Goaltender (Saskatoon – Western Hockey League) Third Round – 81st overall

Morrison was selected by the Flyers in the third round (81st overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft… Born on February 9, 1991 in Edmonton, Alberta…6’3”, 166 pounds… Catches left.

As a rookie in 2008-09, he made 13 appearances with the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League, where he went 9-1-1 with a 2.47 goals-against average, .907 save percentage and one shutout, which he earned in his first career start in the WHL.

“He’s a guy, that all of our guys [Flyers scouting staff] liked,” said Flyers General Manager Paul Holmgren of Morrison. “This kid will play a lot more games for his junior team next year. We’ve done our homework on him and we’re very high on him.”

Simon Bertilsson Defense (Brynas – Swedish Elite League) Third Round – 87th overall

Bertilsson was selected by the Flyers in the third round (87th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft… Born on April 19, 1991 in Karlskoga, Sweden… 6’0”, 185-pounds… Shoots left.

In 2008-09, Bertilsson appeared in 21 games for Brynas of the Swedish Elite League (SEL), recording one assist. He played most of the season for Brynas in the Swedish Junior Elite League recording 31 points (9G, 22A) in 30 games, helping Brynas win the league championship. He also played for Team Sweden at the 2009 Under-18 World Championships and is a defensive minded defenseman, who had a plus/minus rating of +5 in the tournament.

“We are ecstatic to be able to get him,” said Holmgren on Bertilsson. “We like Simon, he’s a hard-nosed kid and he’s really good with the puck too.”

Nicola Riopel Goaltender (Moncton – Quebec Major Junior Hockey League) Fifth Round – 142nd overall Riopel reacts

Riopel was selected by the Flyers in the fifth round (142nd overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft… Born on February 20, 1989 in St. Pie De Bagot, Quebec… 6’0”, 170 pounds… Catches left.

In 2008-09, Riopel posted a 43-15-0 record along with a 2.01 GAA and .931 save percentage in 59 appearances, including five shutouts with the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL.     He was awarded the Michel Briere Trophy as the Most Valuable Player in the QMJHL and Jacque Plante Trophy for having the best goals-against average (2.01 – new QMJHL record), and was also named to the QMJHL’s First All-Star Team.

Over parts of four seasons in Moncton, Riopel compiled a record of 75-56-0 with a 2.67 GAA, .915 save percentage and seven shutouts in 143 appearances. He has also posted a 6-8 career postseason record with a 2.76 GAA, .914 save percentage and two shutouts in 14 games.

“It’s been three years and I’ve been waiting for this moment, so it was an incredible day for my family and I’m really glad that I came to a great organization like the Flyers,” said Riopel moments after being selected by the Flyers. “I worked hard all of my life. I could have easily left when I didn’t get drafted previously and said my career is over, but I just kept working and I think this year I proved to a lot of people that I can be a winning goalie, and one of the top goalies in the world.”

Dave Labrecque Center (Shawinigan – Quebec Major Junior Hockey League) Sixth Round – 153rd overall

Labrecque was selected by the Flyers in the sixth round (153rd overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft… Born on January 27, 1990 in Vanier, Quebec… 6’0”, 174 pounds… Shoots left.

In 2008-09, his first full season in the QMJHL, Labrecque recorded 61 points (13G,48A) in 59 games, including a plus/minus rating of +23, with the Shawinigan Cataractes. He finished third on the team in assists (48) and fifth in points (61). He also recorded 19 points (3G,16A) in 20 postseason games to help lead the Cataractes to the QMJHL Final, where they were defeated in seven games by Drummondville. Labrecque led the team in the playoffs in penalty minutes (34) and ranked third in assists (16).

Over parts of three seasons with Shawinigan, Labrecque has a total of 73 points (18G,55A) and 102 penalty minutes in 85 regular season games. He has also recorded 22 points (4G,18A) in 25 career postseason contests.

“I’m pretty proud. I didn’t talk to them at all before the draft, but when they [announced] my name I was pretty happy to be a part of the Flyers,” said Labrecque on being selected. “I have 10 [family members] here.”

Eric Wellwood Left Wing (Windsor – Ontario Hockey League) Sixth Round - 172nd overall

Wellwood was selected by the Flyers in the sixth round (172nd overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft… Born on March 6, 1990 in Oldcastle, Ontario… 5’11”, 179 pounds… Shoots left.

In 61 games with the Windsor Spitfires, Wellwood recorded 34 points (16G,18A) in 61 regular season games in 2008-09. He also posted 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points in 20 games to help lead the Spitfires to the OHL Championship, as well as four points (1G,3A) in six games to help Windsor win the 2009 Mastercard Memorial Cup.

Over parts of three seasons with the Spitfires, Wellwood has posted 57 points (27G,30A) in 152 regular season games and 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points in 25 OHL playoff games.

Oliver Lauridsen Defense (St. Cloud State - WCHA) Seventh Round – 196th overall

Lauridsen was selected by the Flyers in the seventh round (196th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft… Born on March 24, 1989 in Gentofte, Denmark… 6’6”, 220 pounds… Shoots left.

Lauridsen recorded one assist and 38 penalty minutes in 28 games as a Freshman at St. Cloud State University in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Lauridsen played for Linkopings HC in the Swedish Elite League during the 2007-08 season, where he had six goals and nine assists for 15 points. He was also a member of Denmark’s World Junior teams in 2006 (Under-18 team), 2007 (U-18 team) and 2008 (U-20 team). He earned defensive MVP honors at World Junior tournament.

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Greig Keeping Exclusive Draft Blog Flyers scout Mark Greig has agreed to keep an exclusive draft blog here on philadelphiaflyers.com. Greig is in his third year as an amateur scout for the organization and his focus is on the Western Hockey League in western Canada. He was a major influence in helping to draft Luca Sbisa from Lethbridge in last year's first round. To check it out, click here. Holmgren Meets with Media Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren met with the media regarding the upcoming draft as well as several other topics on Wednesday, June 17, at the Virtua Center Flyers Skate Zone. To view the press conference in its entirety, courtesy of FlyersTV, click here. You can also download the press conference to your mobile device with the Flyers Video Podcast.