June 21, 2004

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The summer months are a time that each and every college student anticipates all school year long. Whether they go home over break, vacation somewhere exotic or simply take a light load of classes, the summer is a chance for college students to relax and enjoy their time away from the pressures and demands of the busy school year.

But this summer has been anticipated by sophomore defenseman A.J. Thelen (Savage, Minn.) and junior forward David Booth (Washington, Mich.) for far different reasons than the average college student. Thelen and Booth are eagerly looking forward to "a once in a lifetime opportunity" this summer, the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Held in Raleigh, N.C., June 26-27, the Entry Draft will be the first opportunity for Thelen and Booth to get a glimpse of what each of their professional hockey futures will look like. Both players will head to the RBC Center, the home of the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes, to become the property of a professional hockey team.

"It's amazing," comments Thelen. "I'm nervous and excited. This is pretty much a once in a lifetime opportunity for few people."

Both Thelen and Booth are projected to be high picks by the NHL Central Scouting Service, a scouting service that evaluates draft-eligible players. Thelen is ranked 11th, while Booth is ranked 27th overall, out of 231 North American skaters opting into the draft. They are two of 37 total college hockey players throughout the country that will get the chance to throw on an NHL team jersey in front of the entire hockey world and each is very excited for the chance.

"Growing up you always think 'play in the NHL... play in the NHL," says Booth. "The draft is the first step to accomplishing part of your dream. It's just one stepping-stone to try to get to the next level."

"I'm lucky enough to be going to the draft," Thelen says. "And being predicted to go in the first round is just unreal."

Booth and Thelen will join the premier club of 85 former and current Spartans who have been drafted throughout Michigan State hockey history. They hope to become the next of seven Spartans who have been chosen in the first round. The pride and success that MSU has seen with players making it to the next level is something that influenced both players' choices to become Spartans just a short time ago.

"Michigan State is one of the best colleges for sending players on (to the professional level)," remarked Booth. "We have one of the best programs for sending guys on. Look at (John-Michael) Liles, (Adam) Hall, (Brad) Fast, (Ryan) Miller. All of these guys are just stepping up and playing. This is one of the best programs to do that."

The success of former players is something that pushes current Spartans to push themselves harder and become better at the game itself.

"Take a look at last season," Thelen remarked. "John-Michael Liles goes into the Colorado Avalanche, one of the best teams in the NHL and he's pretty much playing a regular shift. That really boosts my confidence. I'm not saying that I'm ready to jump into the NHL right now, but with Adam Hall and Andrew Hutchinson and Liles and Brad Fast getting there, it pushes you as a player.

"This is a big program. Coming into here you look at the walls and look at how many guys come out of here and go into the NHL. This is one of the best schools for it. That's the reason that I came here in the first place."

Thelen and Booth are each looking to add to Spartan hockey's rich tradition and pride. Both players are anticipating the opportunity to be drafted and are wondering which teams they will belong to. They are filled with questions and anticipation for a big moment in their lives.

Booth and Thelen each bring different elements of the game to the table. Each has their respective strong points as players that will draw teams to them for different reasons.

David Booth- Charismatic Heart

Standing at 6-1, 206-lbs., David Booth plays the game with size and strength of a power forward, similar to a player like Brendan Shanahan or his personal favorite player, Keith Tkachuk. He is not afraid to throw a hard hit as well as take one for the team. An aggressive and physically strong competitor, Booth is not easily stopped by opponents, whether he is charging up the ice on a breakaway or simply carrying the puck through the offensive zone.

Booth is a player that gives his all on the ice and leaves nothing in the locker room. He leads by example with an excellent work ethic, both in practice and during the game. He is one of a handful of guys to leave the weight room last when the team works out. His hardwork off the ice has given Booth a noticeable presence when he jumps off the bench and skates onto the ice. One cannot miss his consistent hustle whether it is to make a play or to prevent an odd-man rush.

A player that builds his game with heart and hard work, Booth is an unselfish player that is not afraid to shoot the puck, as well as see the pass if his linemate has a better shot. He is a character player who has passion for the game and intangible qualities that any team would be lucky to have.

"There are so many different players in the draft - power forwards, offensive defensemen, fast skaters," Booth remarked. "It's all about what the teams need

"There are certain teams that show a little more interest that need my type of player. There are some teams that already have some of my type that need different types. I just hope to go to the team that needs me."

Junior David Booth anticipates his selection in the NHL Entry Draft this weekend.

Plagued by a knee injury early in his sophomore season, Booth finished the year sixth on the Spartan roster in scoring with eight goals and 10 assists for 18 points in 30 games. As well as missing eight games due to injury, Booth missed four Spartan contests during the months of December and January due to his representing Team USA at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championships in Hamellina, Finland.

While playing for Team USA, Booth and two of his Spartan teammates (defenseman Corey Potter and goaltender Dominic Vicari) won the 2004 World Junior gold medal. Booth played in all six games, registering two points throughout the tournament, including the game-winning goal against Slovakia, a 5-0 victory.

Finishing the 2003-2004 Spartan season on a high-note, Booth registered four goals and five assists for nine points, in his final 12 games.

Booth's freshman campaign with the Spartans was highlighted with some impressive achievements as well. Finishing with 36 points (17 goals, 19 assists) in 39 games, he led all rookies on the team in scoring. He was second on the team in goals and fourth overall in points. Selected as Michigan State's Rookie of the Year, Booth also was named to the CCHA's All Rookie Team.

With 1995's NCAA ruling that did not allow players under the age of 19 to opt into the draft without loosing collegiate eligibility, Booth elected not to opt into the draft after his outstanding freshman year, and will enter the 2004 draft at the age of 19. His knee injury played a key role in the numbers and production department during his sophomore campaign but his upstart finish at the end of the season was something that Booth will build upon as he looks to return to the Spartan lineup next season.

Projected by analysts to go in the late first round or early second round of the entry draft, The Hockey News ranks Booth 33rd overall in their draft outlook, while the NHL Central Scouting Service gives him their number 27 spot (among North American skaters).

Growing up in suburban Detroit, Booth is excited to see where his NHL allegiances will rest.

"If I could pick anywhere to go," comments Booth, "I would obviously choose the Red Wings. Just growing up in Detroit, they are your favorite team. But it really doesn't matter where I end up. There are just so many teams that I would love to go to. It's just nice if someone really wants you. That's my biggest thrill."

And some team will be lucky enough to have Booth. His work ethic, speed, strength, skills and heart are qualities that will set him apart from other players and will carry him to success at the next level.

A.J. Thelen- The Young Gun

Defenseman A.J. Thelen brings to the game what any NHL team would jump at the chance to obtain. At the ripe old age of 18, the second-youngest player in college hockey came into his own in his first season with the Spartans. Having graduated from high school in three years to pursue his collegiate career at Michigan State, Thelen proved that he is a player with a very bright future.

Finishing out his freshman campaign with 29 points (11 goals and 18 assists) in 41 games, ranking second among CCHA defensemen, Thelen stood as a presence on the ice for the Spartans, both offensively and defensively. His scoring accolades did not go unnoticed around college hockey circles. Thelen was voted the lone freshman on the All-America squad (second team) as well as becoming the first freshman in Spartan history to be voted All-CCHA First Team. His scoring touch netted him CCHA Best Offensive Defensemen honors as the league's top offensive defensemen.

As his statistics lead one to believe, Thelen isn't afraid to shoot the puck. His five power-play goals led the Spartans, and as The Hockey News wrote, Thelen's success on the power play, "is an indicator of his ability to get his point shot through traffic in front of the net." That quality is one of many that makes him special and sets him apart from most young defensemen.

As well as his offensive capabilities, Thelen is very eager defensively. Standing at 6-3 and weighing in at 210-lbs., he is a physically solid player. His strength and muscle has developed tremendously since the beginning of the 2003-2004 season, and his steady growth will continue as he pushes himself in the weight room.

Thelen's size, strength and skill are certainly qualities that will tempt many organizations as the 2004 NHL Entry Draft comes up. Ranked 11th overall by both The Hockey News as well as the league's Central Scouting Service (among North American skaters), Thelen is a young player that has a lot to bring to any team.

Prior to the end of the 2003-2004 college hockey season, Thelen was one of a select few college hockey players who were nearly forced to choose between opting into the draft or continuing to play in college. The NCAA had a rule mandating that for a player to be eligible to opt into the draft and not lose any collegiate eligibility, they must 19 years of age by Sept. 15 of that respective draft year. So in the case of Thelen, he would have to be 19 to opt into this year's 2004 entry draft. Thelen, along with other successful 18-year-old players like North Dakota's Drew Stafford and Notre Dame's Wes O'Neill, each were going to be seriously impacted if the highly attested rule did not change. The NCAA decided to suspend the rule for this year, allowing 18-year-old players to keep all eligibility if they elect to opt into the draft.

For Thelen, the rule's demise allowed him to look forward to the draft as well as for next year's Spartan hockey season.

"It would have been a very, very tough decision for me if the rule hadn't changed," commented Thelen. "It definitely took a lot of weight off of my shoulders. This is the place that I want to play. With my teammates, I have a great time. I don't think that it can get any better than this right now."

And with the draft is right around the corner, Thelen is taking the first of many hopeful steps pursuing a childhood dream. Having tuned into the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals like any other hockey-loving fan, Thelen couldn't help but put himself in the place of the players out there during game seven.

"You just kind of sit there and you look at one of the players and think, that could be me out there one day," remarked Thelen. "It kind of just urges you to go out and work harder. Hopefully, one day it will be me out there."

With his passion and skills, Spartan fans are hoping to see Thelen skating around in an NHL jersey and hoisting a Stanley Cup in the near future. On his day with the Cup, he would have to make a short pit stop at Munn Ice Arena.