Draft Eligible: Aaron Ness

Roseau Defenseman Aaron Ness, along with Minnetonka Defenseman Jake Gardiner, are
hands down the cream of the Minnesota draft eligible crop this year. As Max Giese of McKeen's Hockey put it, "its Ness and Gardiner, and then everyone else." Ness, who is only a junior, has been taking both his junior and senior year coursework in order to join the University of Minnesota this fall. Ness himself feels that it would be beneficial to him, that he was ready for the next step. What's amazing about what he's doing is that despite having nearly 12 classes a day, Ness still is on the ice for nearly 4 hours; 2 for practice, and almost another two just playing shinny and pickup hockey with his friends.
Well, considering who Ness is as a player, one could surmise that he is ready for some better competition. His Roseau coach, Scott Oliver, said that Ness was the best player at the State Tournament last year, without a doubt. As a sophomore. What stood out in many people's minds (especially mine) wasn't the offensive side of his game; Patrick White (now a Gopher) had been nearly unstoppable for Grand Rapids, and Ness simply shut White down and made him a non-factor in the title game.

Giese on Ness: "pound-for-pound one of the best defenseman to come out of Minnesota in years. Size is the only real issue but it doesn't bother me so much because he's
fairly tough. His skill, vision, and hockey sense are all A-Plus. He could be a home-run like Dan Boyle or Duncan Keith if he can add some strength."

The International Scouting Service had this to say about Ness on a recent report:
"There is a lot of interest in this skilled puck-moving defenseman and rightfully so. While most NHL scouts were arriving back from the WJC in Sweden, more than a few could be seen at the Roseau High School game.

With about a dozen NHL scouts including ISS watching, Ness didn’t disappoint collecting two 'Highlight reel' assists. Plays above and beyond this level.

Electrifying! Best player on the ice. Excellent skater. Feet will be an asset. Potential star. This is a player to watch. You win with guys like this."

In fact, in ISS's rankings for February, Ness was ranked #24.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?fid=11183&hubname=

However, there has been some sentiment that despite Ness is clearly a first round talent, that some scouts wouldn't take him in the first because of his size (he's been listed anywhere from 5'9" 157 lbs. to 5'10" 170.) Hwoever, at the current pace Ness is going on, he will hear his name called on the first night of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.






thanks to Max Giese, Mckeen's, and ISS.