#15 Prospect: Alex Plante

Current Rank: #15Summer 2009: #5In dropping Alex Plante a cool 10 points in the standings there are two major items in play: first, there are more prospects having good seasons in 2009-10. Second, the step from amateur talent to AHL defender is a big one for these 20-year olds and Plante is no exception. When he played in junior, a friend of mine who scouts for an AJHL team told me that Plante had foot speed and "lateral movement" issues that were going to be a problem as he moved along. I think it may mean his AHL career is a little longer than most mid-first round picks because of it.How well is he doing in the AHL so far? Rob Daum: "Defense is the toughest position to learn, and even though Alex has had his ups and downs he is progressing nicely. He has a high competitive level and he loves to compete. Even though he's a young guy in a man's league he hasn't taken a backward step."We do know that once injuries hit the Oilers and the recalls began t...