MIGHTY DUCKS DRAFT DAY: DUCKS TAKE RYAN WITH SECOND PICK HISTORIC DRAFT DAY FOR SOCAL YOUTH HOCKEY.

Byline: A.J. Perez Staff Writer

Most will recall the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, which took place Saturday in Ottawa, as the coronation of Sidney Crosby, the 17-year-old phenom-in-waiting who was chosen No. 1 by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

James Gasseau may remember things a little differently.

Gasseau watched Saturday as three of his former pupils were selected - including right-winger Bobby Ryan, who was selected second overall by the Mighty Ducks - in a landmark day for Southern California youth hockey.

``A lot of people feel that hockey in California can hurt a kid's development,'' said Gasseau, who owns the Westminster Ice Arena. ``It certainly didn't hurt Bobby.''

Ryan, 18, a native of Camden, N.J., moved to El Segundo in his early teens and met Gasseau, then coach of the Junior Kings. Ryan was teammates with Long Beach native Ray Macias on a Junior Kings Bantam Triple-A team that won a national title in 2002.

Ryan's game has developed significantly since he left Gasseau's tutelage three years ago. Pegged by most mock drafts to go as high as third overall, Ryan, a 6-foot-1, 213-pounder, impressed Ducks general manager Brian Burke in recent interviews.

During his time with the Owen Sound of the Ontario Hockey League Ryan earned a reputation as a hard-nosed forward. Last season he tied for fifth in goals (37), sixth in points (89) and fourth in shorthanded goals (4) in the OHL.

``He's a big power forward that we are obviously very high on,'' Burke said. ``He can score goals and draw great coverage. We love everything about him, from his offensive talent to his strong character.''

Ryan hopes to showcase his talents at the professional level in the not-so-distant future.

``I just want to have as strong a training camp possible and compete for a roster spot - not just this year, but for years to come,'' Ryan said. ``I'm going to go out there and try to outwork everybody.''

Macias, a defenseman, became the highest-drafted Southern California native in history. The Colorado Avalanche drafted him in the fourth round (124th overall).

``I think this is a clear sign that youth hockey in Southern California is improving,'' said Chuck Fletcher, the Ducks' vice president of amateur scouting and player development.

Macias watched the draft unfold at his mother's house in North Long Beach, which became a very happy place around noon.

``They charged right at me,'' Macias said of the family members gathered. ``I thought I wasn't going to make it. They were jumping all over me.''

This time last year, Macias was projected as a first-round pick, but he was forced to play forward last season, a move that hurt his standing among scouts.

``I didn't pay attention to where I was going,'' said Macias, who has another year left in juniors with the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League. ``I just wanted to be drafted.''

A.J. Perez, [phone]

a.j.perez(at)presstelegram.com

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