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Rugged defenseman William Wrenn on Saturday became the fifth-highest NHL draft pick in Alaska hockey history, and the similarities between his career path and that of another elite blueliner from Anchorage are eerie.
The San Jose Sharks selected Wrenn in the second round, making him the 43rd overall pick at the draft in Montreal. In 2003, the Sharks picked defenseman Matt Carle in the second round, 47th overall. Wrenn, 18, entered the draft ranked 54th among North America skaters by the NHL's Central Scouting Service, but was the 33rd North American skater drafted. Carle entered his draft ranked 66th among North American skaters, but was the 37th such skater chosen. Wrenn is coming off two seasons in USA Hockey's National Team Development Program. Carle, likewise, played two seasons in that Ann Arbor, Mich.-based program. Wrenn earlier this year captained the Americans to the World Under-18 championship. Carle played on the U.S. team that won that title in 2002. Wrenn later this summer is headed to a USA Hockey camp for prospects under consideration for next season's World Junior Championship. Carle played on the U.S. squad that won the World Junior title in 2004. Wrenn will play hockey at the University of Denver in the fall. Carle played three seasons for the Pioneers before turning pro. All those similarities were not lost on Wrenn. "It kind of creeped me out for a second,'' he said by cell phone from Montreal. If Wrenn even remotely continues to mimic Carle's career path -- granted, that's asking a lot -- he's in for a thrilling ride. Carle won two national championships with Denver, earned the Hobey Baker Memorial Award in 2006 as college hockey's best player and scored a goal in his NHL debut later that year. Carle, who currently plays for the Philadelphia Flyers, earned $2.95 million last season and will make $3.5 million in the upcoming season. While Carle as a teenager was coveted for his offensive ability, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Wrenn is generally considered a more physical blueliner who is particularly strong in his own zone. Still, the right-handed shooter -- Carle shoots left -- is developing an offensive game and a reputation as a burgeoning two-way defenseman. Wrenn earned 6-11--17 totals in 60 games last season. "I guess my forte is being tough in the defensive zone,'' he said. "I'm a good skater, and I also have some offensive upside.'' Wrenn attended the draft with his parents, Allison and Bobby of Anchorage. He said he heard some talk he might be a late first-round selection Friday but expected to be chosen in the second round. "(First round) would have been kind of a surprise,'' Wrenn said. "I was kind of set on, hoping for, second round. Third round would have been a letdown, so I landed right where I expected to.'' Only four Alaskans, all first-rounders, have been drafted higher than Wrenn: Winger Ty Jones of Eagle River (16th overall, Chicago, 1999); winger Scott Parker of Eagle River (20th, Colorado, 1998); winger Barrett Heisten (20th, Buffalo, 1999); and center Scott Gomez (27th, New Jersey, 1998). All four played in the NHL, though Gomez is the only one still active. With two Stanley Cup championships, a Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year and 578 career points in nine NHL seasons, Gomez is Alaska's most accomplished hockey player. He currently plays for the New York Rangers. Thirty-one Alaskans have been drafted, dating back to 1983. Wrenn's path to prosperity was like that of many Alaska players -- he left home as a teenager to pursue his dreams -- but it was also an accelerated journey. After playing youth hockey for the Alaska All Stars, Wrenn moved to Los Angeles before his freshman year of high school and played two seasons in the LA Selects competition program before hooking up with the national program. "It seemed like an OK deal, another path available,'' Wrenn said. The move Outside required sacrifices from Wrenn -- he missed family and friends and had to adjust to a new environment -- but he has flourished. "It was hard leaving home, being 14 and entering my freshman year of high school, heading off to live with another family,'' Wrenn said. "It was a little bit of a shock to leave my buddies. "I think I definitely matured faster. I had to grow up faster and learn to handle my own problems, even little stuff like doing my own laundry and making my own food.'' Draft notes Winger Spencer Bennett, scheduled to join UAA in 2010, was selected in the fifth round, 141st overall, by the Calgary Flames. Bennett, 18, last season earned 20-21--41 totals in 60 games with the Surrey Eagles of the British Columbia Hockey League. The 6-3, 185-pounder is from White Rock, B.C. The New York Rangers worked a deal Saturday to acquire the rights to former UAF goaltender Chad Johnson, the Central Collegiate Hockey Association's reigning Player of the Year. The Rangers traded a fifth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins -- the Penguins drafted Johnson in the fifth round in 2006 -- to get the right to sign Johnson. Johnson, 23, last season racked a 1.66 goals-against average and .940 save percentage -- both marks were tops nationally -- and bagged six shutouts. He went 14-16-5.