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Richards and Carter named among CHL Top-5 in Prospects Hockey poll
Created: Mar 2, 2004

Red Deer Rebels defenceman Dion Phaneuf has been voted the top player from across the CHL by a panel of junior hockey media, scouts and coaches in Prospects Hockey?s Top 35 edition.
"Our panel?s finding of Dion Phaneuf as the CHL?s top player caps off a tremendous year in the development of one of the best players in the world not currently playing in the National Hockey League," said Prospects Hockey managing editor Peter Robinson.

"Our panel was clear ? Phaneuf was clearly the top choice as the best player across the CHL?s three member leagues."

Phaneuf is an 18-year-old Edmonton native who was selected in the first round (ninth overall) by the Calgary Flames in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Phaneuf?s stature has only risen since then, illustrated by his dominating performance at the 2003 World Junior Championship, where he earned a tournament all-star berth playing for Canada silver medal squad.

Forward Sidney Crosby of the Rimouski Oceanic was voted the No. 2 player. Michael Richards, a forward on the Kitchener Rangers, defenceman Braydon Coburn of the Portland Winter Hawks and forward Jeff Carter of the Soo Greyhounds rounded out the top five.

A total of 15 panelists graded 65 skaters and eight goaltenders in five categories ? skill, physical tools, two-way game, projection as a pro and ?intangibles?. This formula determined the top five from across the CHL, along with the next 10 players in each of the CHL?s three member leagues. Please see the attached listing for the complete rundown.

Prospects Hockey is the official publication of the CHL, published twice during the hockey season. There are also two special editions for the Home Hardware Top Prospects Game and MasterCard Memorial Cup. Prospects Hockey is available at CHL rinks and selected newsstands across Canada.

Prospects Hockey Top 35
Dion Phaneuf, D, Red Deer Rebels
Sidney Crosby, Rimouski Oceanic
Michael Richards, F, Kitchener Rangers
Braydon Coburn, D, Portland Winter Hawks
Jeff Carter, F, Soo Greyhounds

OHL Top 10
Daniel Paille, F, Guelph Storm
Anthony Stewart, F, Kingston Frontenacs
Tim Brent, F, Toronto St. Michaels Majors
Danny Fritsche, F, Sarnia Sting
Wojtek Wolski, F, Brampton Battalion
Kevin Klein, D, Guelph Storm
Patrick O?Sullivan, F, Mississauga IceDogs
Corey Perry, F, London Knights
Petr Kanko, F, Kitchener Rangers
Corey Locke, F, Ottawa 67?s

QMJHL Top 10
Alexandre Picard, F, Lewiston MAINEiacs
Steve Bernier, F, Moncton Wildcats
Josh Hennessy, F, Quebec Remparts
Bruno Gervais, D, Acadie-Bathurst Titan
Maxime Talbot, F, Gatineau Olympiques
Doug O?Brien, D, Gatineau Olympiques
Petr Vrana, F, Halifax Mooseheads
Jean-Francois Jacques, F, Baie-Comeau Drakkar
Stephen Dixon, F, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles
Francois-Pierre Guenette, F, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles

WHL Top 10
Ryan Getzlaf, F, Calgary Hitmen
Cam Barker, D, Medicine Hat
Kyle Chipchura, F, Prince Albert Raiders
Nigel Dawes, F, Kootenay Ice
Brent Seabrook, D, Lethbridge Hurricanes
Gilbert Brule, F, Vancouver Giants
Tomas Fleischmann, F, Moose Jaw Warriors
Shawn Belle, D, Tri City Americans
Eric Fehr, F, Brandon Wheat Kings
Mike Egener, D, Calgary Hitmen