2009 4th Round Pick Linden Vey

The Los Angeles Kings used their other 4th round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft (96th overall) to select right wing Linden Vey of the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League (WHL). In 71 games played for Medicine Hat, Vey scored 24 goals and 48 assists for 72 points. In 11 postseason games, Vey scored 2 goals and 5 assists for 7 points. Drafted by the Medicine Hat Tigers in the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft in the 2nd round (42nd overall), Vey is small-ish at 5’11″, 179 pounds. He also played for Team Canada in the 2008 Under-17 World Championships, where he received a bronze medal.

This coming year, Vey should play on the top line in Medicine Hat which will allow him to develop his offensive skills even more. Vey has strong leadership skills and is good at protecting the puck. He’s not much of a threat physicially but the Kings will stress that during his development journey. According to his coach, Willie Desjardins, Linden is “a smart player, strong with the puck” and “good down low”.

I like this pick a lot. Vey is a creative passer and can put the puck in the back of the net. From the video footage I saw of Vey he also seems to have a good head on his shoulders. We’ll certainly have to keep an eye on Linden Vey at this weekend’s development camp.

According to NHL.com’s Draft Prospect Profiles, Linden’s favorite song “Gotta Be Somebody” by Nickelback (very troubling in that Nickelback is a terrible band). If he wasn’t a hockey player, he’d like to be a professional golfer because of the “easy lifestyle”.

You can read about the LA Kings’ other draft selections in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft here on the site. Kyle Clifford, Nicolas Deslauriers and Jean-Francois Berube have already been profiled.

Resources:
NHL.com
Medicine Hat News