Every year the NHL boasts many new young players affectionately known as rookies. The 2009-2010 NHL Season is now underway. This is a very exciting year for rookies as the class is very deep and talented. Card companies such as upper deck will be releasing rookies in hobby card products throughout the hockey season. It’s a great year to be a hobby card collector. This article talks about the top ten guys to watch out for this year as they will be hot rookie cards to collect. 10. Michael Del Zotto A late first round pick by the Rangers in 2008, Del Zotto has all the tools to be an elite offensive defenseman in the National hockey league. A top scoring defensemen in the OHL the past three years, Del Zotto has been a surprise addition to an excellent Rangers lineup this year. Del Zotto was the second overall pick in the 2006 OHL Priority Draft behind Steven Stamkos. 9. Jamie Benn Benn was drafted late in the fifth round by Dallas back in 2007 out of the BCHL. Jamie has spent the last two seasons in the WHL and has been over a point a game player. He was exceptional last year in the playoffs picking up 33 points in only 19 games. Benn combines a level of toughness as well as an offensive flair which should flourish in Dallas for years to come. 8. Peter Regin Regin was a forgotten man after being drafted in the third round by the Ottawa Senators back in 2004. From 2005-2008 Regin found himself playing in Europe unable to make it into the NHL during that time. During the 2008-2009 season, Peter found success playing with Ottawa’s AHL affiliate and was a late season call up. With an explosive preseason, he has become a regular with the Senators and has gotten off to a great start. 7. Ville Leino A relatively old rookie, Leino finds himself as a regular this year for the Detroit Red Wings at 26 years of age. Leino went undrafted as a junior and had played in Europe up until the 2008-2009 season. Last year Ville found himself playing with the Wing’s AHL affiliate with success and was rewarded as a late season call up where he got 9 points in 13 games. Leino will be a player to watch this year. 6. Antti Niemi Another relatively old rookie at age 26, Niemi was also undrafted and has worked hard to become a regular in the NHL. Starting this year at Christobal Huet’s backup, Niemi has found himself being worked into games more and a goaltending controversy is starting due to his stellar play. Niemi spent last year with Chicago’s AHL affiliate and was a late season call up. With more exceptional play, Niemi may find himself as a surprise number one goaltender in the NHL. 5. Evander Kane Drafted fourth overall in this past year’s entry draft, no one expected Kane to crack the Thrashers lineup so soon. With an excellent preseason and stellar training camp, Kane did just that. A highly touted rookie coming from the WHL where he was a top scorer in the league last year, Kane provides toughness and offensive flair which Thrashers fans will enjoy for many years to come. 4. James van Riemsdyk A product of the US National under-18 team squad, van Riemsdyk was drafted second overall in the 2007 NHL entry draft by the Philadelphia Flyers. Flyers fans have been waiting patiently as their biggest prospect (literally, this guy is huge) worked his way through university hockey preparing for the pros. This year, James finds himself as a regular in the NHL and has already made a big impact. This is a guy to watch. 3. Matt Duchene The third overall selection in the 2009 NHL entry draft by the Colorado Avalanche, Duchene is a highly touted prospect coming out of the OHL. There was no surprise when Duchene made the club out of camp. Avalanche fans mourning the loss of Joe Sakic have reason to cheer. Duchene is strong with the puck and has a natural offensive flair. He should find himself on the top lines for Colorado for the foreseeable future. 2. Victor Hedman Not since Chris Pronger has a defensive prospect produced so much excitement. The Tampa Bay Lightning were very proud to select Hedman as the second overall pick in last year’s draft. Stamped as an immediate starter before he was even drafted, Victor brings size, toughness, and offensive flair to a team which desperately needs it. Hedman will be the face of the franchise for years. 1. John Tavares There was a supposed controversy last year as to whether John Tavares or Victor Hedman would be selected first overall by the New York Islanders. The skeptics were put to rest when the Islanders selected Tavares first overall. A complete player, Tavares has been a star in the OHL since he was allowed to play as an underage teen in 2005. The most highly touted prospect since Sidney Crosby has not disappointed so far with his stellar play and is an early favorite for the Calder trophy.
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