Some info on Eric Hunter
 

From HF today:

http://hockeysfuture.com/article.php...readed&order=0

Regarding Rangers' pick Eric Hunter (the quotes are from Lorne Frey, the Assistant General Manager, Director of Player Personnel and Head Scout for the Kelowna Rockets):

Veteran Eric Hunter, who was selected in the sixth round by the New York Rangers, was a noteworthy pick because it marks the second time he has been chosen at the NHL Entry Draft. After an unsuccessful attempt to earn a contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, Hunter elevated his game last season and was a valuable contributor among the Cougars determined forward corps. According to general manager Dallas Thompson, Hunter played with an edge this past season, with a bit more of an attitude. It is thought by many that Hunter is not prepared to let a second chance at an NHL job pass him by.

“I think that was a great pick for the Rangers,” Frey suggests. “Actually, he probably should have gone sooner. Sure he’s a 19-year-old, but why do teams write these guys off?”

Eric Hunter, C (Prince George)
174th overall – NY Rangers
Birthdate: 08/11/1986
The native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Hunter scored 40 goals and 32 assists in 71 games along with 125 penalty minutes. He has played a total of 264 games in a Cougars uniform and may return as an overage next season. He was previously drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks.

Name: Eric Hunter
Number: 20
Pos.: C
Height: 5'11
Weight: 188
Shoots: L
Birthdate: 1986-08-11
Hometown: Winnipeg, MB

Player Stats
Regular Season Stats
Season Team GP G A PTS +/- PIM
2002-03 WHL Season Prince George Cougars 66 16 18 34 -2 70
2003-2004 WHL Season Prince George Cougars 70 19 23 42 -1 122
2004-05 WHL Season Prince George Cougars 47 12 18 30 -7 57
2005-06 WHL Season Prince George Cougars 71 40 32 72 11 125

Playoff Stats
Season Team GP G A PTS +/- PIM
2003 WHL Playoffs Prince George Cougars 5 1 0 1 -1 6
2006 WHL Playoffs Prince George Cougars 5 3 1 4 0 10

Good article BRF. He could be a good player for us. Need more forwards with an edge to their game. Not sure if he's going back to juniors as an overager or whether he'll wind up in Hartford or Charlotte.

Hey, I'm not holding my breath, but he does have some talent.

I say give him a shot, what do we have to lose?

The Rangers are becoming known for the sleeper pick. Why not give him a try?

Yeah, exactly - I read this and my immediate thought was "that's exactly the sort of thing you should be doing with a 6th round pick." Anyone know where/when he was drafted by CHI?

This is the kind of pick that the organization is starting to get a reputation for finding. The results of which are mixed, as some have panned out, Lundqvist & Prucha and still others are considered to have a legit chance of making the NHL.
Once you start getting beyond the late stages of the 3rd round you really are rolling the dice. So finding players who have the potential is a good indication that the organizations investment in the scouting staff, that happened long before the great purge, was a wise thing and has started to yield the benefits of such a farsighted vision.