The Free Press’s Helene St. James engaged in a Q and A with Red Wings special assistant to the GM Kris Draper recently, and Draper discussed the scouting side of his day job:
HSJ: What has been your focus this season?
KD: “I’ve worked a lot with Tyler on the amateur side. I’m trying to see all the high-end draft eligibles. Went to World Juniors. Been to the Maritimes to watch the top players there. Been out west to watch the top players there, and all throughout Ontario. So a little bit of everything.
“I enjoy the amateur side. I really enjoy the scouting side. That’s where I’ve gravitated the most to. Ken wants me to go see games and if I know players and if I like players, he wants me to make sure I speak up and I have knowledgeable input at all levels.”
HSJ: What do you look for in players?
KD: “Obviously I love skaters. You look at hockey sense. You look at skill. I talk to Hakan Andersson quite a bit — anytime we get a chance to sit with him, he is a big guy on hockey sense. I always argue about how fast this game is, but how can you argue with the success of Haks?”
