Four players who have never earned a dollar from professional hockey are considered sure-bets by the man who drafted them. Jet general manager John Ferguson.
The following THN Archive story by Reyn Davis takes a thorough look at a number of up-and-coming Winnipeg Jets prospects in the year 1984. Unfortunately for GM John Ferguson, many didn't quite pan out the way he had planned. And as many remember, Marc Behrend's NHL career lasted just 39 games, to which he posted a 4.92 goals against average and a .848 save percentage.
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Jets Will Roll Out the Carpet for Behrend
January 13, 1984 – Vol. 37, Issue 15
By Reyn Davis
"The people who excite Ferguson most are goaltender Marc Behrend of the U.S. Olympic team and three defensemen—Dave Ellett of Bowling Green, Peter Taglianetti of Providence College and Dan McFall of Michigan State.
Of these, the one who is expected to surface first is Behrend. He’s expected to arrive on Feb. 16.
Selected in the fifth round (85th overall) of the 1981 entry draft. Behrend has since established himself as the hottest goaltending property in the amateur ranks.
Already, Ferguson has had a raft of phone calls from other National Hockey League general managers, enquiring as to his availability.
“I have a stock answer,” said Ferguson. “A capital NO.”
By others, Behrend has been described as “a franchise.” Ferguson won’t go so far. The title is a burden. Dale Hawerchuk and Dave Babych were described as “franchise” players, too. It’s unfair to pin a kid with such a heavy responsibility.
Nonetheless, Behrend is prized. He seems to have the skills and deportment of a great one.
“He reminds me a lot of Glenn Hall,” said Ferguson. “He has great concentration. He’s tall like Hall and he uses his pads like Hall did. I watch him and I see Hall all over again.”
Ellett may be the second hottest prospect in the system. He’s the backbone of Bowling Green’s defense. Oddly enough, he was coveted by both the U.S. and Canadian Olympic teams because of his dual citizenship. But he passed on both Olympic teams as well as the Canadian national junior team to stay with Bowling Green and concentrate on his studies. However, he did join the Canadian Olympic team on a trial basis in late December.
Ferguson believes he could be playing for the Jets right now.
A fourth-round choice (75th overall) in the 1982 draft, Ellett has groomed himself into a smooth, hard-shooting defenseman who uses his body well.
Ellett’s father was a teammate of Ferguson and chief scout Les Binkley with the old Cleveland Barons of the American Hockey League.
“I would say Dave is at least six inches taller than his father,” said Ferguson, “and he skates just as well, if not better. Right now, Dave Ellett is the key player on the No.-l rated team in college hockey.”
McFall and Taglianetti may be two years away. Ferguson can wait. Rushing college prospects into the breach is no longer necessary. He’ll be ready when they are.
Taglianetti was a third-round choice (43rd overall) in the 1983 entry draft. He barely missed winning a spot on the U.S. Olympic team. McFall was chosen in the eighth round (148th overall) in the 1981 draft while playing for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres. He was a longshot who appears to have NHL potential.
By no means are the Jets depending on all four. There are a flock of others who may make the grade ahead of them. However, they are considered the brightest prospects.
“I’m more than happy with the development of most of our draft choices,” said Ferguson. “As many as eight others figure in our future plans.”
A first-round choice, defenseman Bobby Delias, is playing his second year of junior hockey with Laval Voisins, a powerhouse from the Quebec Major League. Dollas has been spending the Christmas period working out with the Jets.
Others who have since turned pro are right wingers Kirk McCaskill and Mike Lauen, defenceman Jyrki Seppa and center Murray Eaves.
McCaskill was coaxed out of baseball to cast his lot in hockey.
Lauen was impressive during a one-week stay in Winnipeg. He could be a regular next season. Eaves and Seppa have been brought up at various stages.
Still others are long-term hopes for the future. They include defenseman Brad Berry, only 18, a second-round choice in 1983 who is a freshman at the University of North Dakota; Iain Duncan, 19, a left winger and teammate of Ellett’s at Bowling Green; and rugged Tom Martin, 19, a left winger with Victoria Cougars of the Western League."