The Montreal Canadiens completed their selections at the 2014 NHL entry draft in Philadelphia Saturday by choosing five more young prospects, including the son of a former Hab.
The Canadiens, who had chosen Nikita Scherbak with their first-round choice Friday, had no selections until the 73rd spot, which they employed to select Brett Lernout, a 6'4" 205 lb defenceman from Winnipeg. Lernout had 22 points in 77 games for Swift Current last season.
The Habs traded up to get to the 73rd choice and earn a crack at Lernout. The Canadiens swapped their third and four round picks (87 and 117) to the Phoenix Coyotes just to get their shot at him.
“It’s nice to know that the Canadiens gave two choices to get me,” said Lernout from his Winnipeg home.
With their next pick, the Habs selected Nikolas Koberstein, a 6'2", 200 lb defenceman who played for the Olds Grizzlys of the AJHL last season, scoring 5 goals and 13 assists, while notching a hefty 153 minutes in penalties. Habs scouting chief Trevor Timmins described him as a “five year project.”
The Canadiens used the fourth of their six picks by rolling the dice on Daniel Audette, a speedy 5'9" sniper who scored 76 points in 68 games for Sherbrooke of the QMJHL last season. His father Donald Audette had a long NHL career, including time spent in Montreal.
“I was hoping to be picked earlier,” said Audette. “But that wasn’t important. I was drafted and am happy about it. It’s a great day.”
The Habs picked a goalie with the 177th pick, opting to grab Hayden Hawkey, a 6'2," 174 lb netminder for the Omaha Lancers of the USHL. He will play for Providence College next season.
And with their 207th pick the team chose Jake Evans, a forward from St. Michaels of the OJHL. The 6-foot 174 lb youngster will play at the University of Notre Dame next season.
