Local Impact
Western PA Players in the NHL Draft
By Bob Grove

As the second day of the 2008 National Hockey League Entry Draft wound down June 21, Matt Bartkowski was at home, loosely monitoring the news from ScotiaBank Place in Ottawa.

"We had it up on the computer, and we were checking it every once in a while," he said. "Then one of my friends called me and said, 'Did you know you got drafted?' I knew it was a possibility, but I didn't really expect it to happen. Then I was really happy and excited."

The 6-1, 196-pound defenseman, who captained Mt. Lebanon High School to a 26-0 record and a state championship in 2006, was selected 190th overall in the seventh and final round of the draft by the Florida Panthers. Bartkowski, who has spent the past two seasons with the Lincoln Stars of the United States Hockey League, will attend Ohio State in the fall.

Bartkowski, who turned 20 last month, was one of three defensemen selected by the Panthers in a draft that will be remembered for its high-end talent on defense. Four of the first five players selected-and 10 of the first 20-were defensemen.

The selection of the Pittsburgh native also marked the 10th consecutive year that a local player was taken in the NHL Entry Draft. Bartkowski is the first to be chosen by Florida.

Bartkowski, who was scouted by the Panthers' Fred Bandel, was second on the Stars in plus-minus (+19), third in penalty minutes (135) and fourth in scoring with four goals and 41 points in 60 regular-season games this season.

Although he was Lincoln's top-scoring defenseman-and third among all USHL defensemen in scoring-Bartkowski didn't draw the attention of the Panthers or the Buckeyes by racking up points. Just as he was in high school, he's been a solid defensive presence in Lincoln, soaking up lots of ice time and playing a physical game.

"The coaches at Ohio State told me they want me to come in and be an impact player," Bartkowski said.

One of 18 current or former USHL players chosen in the 2008 draft, Bartkowski also had offers from other CCHA and WCHA schools. "I liked their facilities, the guys were really good and it's close to home. It just felt right," he said of Ohio State, where he will be an engineering major.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Player of the Year in 2006, when he helped the Blue Devils set a PIHL record by allowing just 13 goals in 22 regular-season games, Bartkowski will become the sixth local player to play at Ohio State. Those include former Penguin Eric Meloche; Columbus forward R.J. Umberger (Plum); Jason Crain (Natrona Heights); Philadelphia's Nate Guenin (Sewickley); and C.J. Severyn (Beaver), who was drafted by Calgary in the seventh round in 2007.

LOCAL PLAYERS DRAFTED IN THE NHL

2008: Matt Bartkowski (Pittsburgh), Florida, 190th
2007: C.J. Severyn (Beaver), Calgary, 186th
2006: Mike Weber (Pittsburgh), Buffalo, 57th
*2005: Matt Clackson (Saskatoon), Philadelphia, 215th
2004: Grant Lewis (Pittsburgh), Atlanta, 40th
2003: Dylan Reese (Pittsburgh), NY Rangers, 209th
2002: Nate Guenin (Sewickley), NY Rangers, 27th
2002: John Zeiler (Jefferson Hills), Phoenix, 132nd
2002: Dwight Labrosse (McMurray), Pittsburgh, 265th
2001: R.J. Umberger (Pittsburgh) Vancouver, 16th
2000: Cliff Loya (Pittsburgh), Chicago, 207th
**2000: Jim Abbott (Yonkers, N.Y.), Pittsburgh, 216th
1999: Ryan Malone (Pittsburgh), Pittsburgh, 115th
1999: George Parros (Washington), Los Angeles, 222nd
1999: Jason Crain (Pittsburgh), Los Angeles, 74th

* Played at Peters Township
** Played at North Catholic, North Allegheny