Tambellini Tapped For Central Scouting Prospect List:

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Tambellini tapped for Central Scouting prospect list

By Graeme Corbett - Vernon Morning Star

Published: September 21, 2012

Adam Tambellini is one stride closer to following the family footsteps.

The second-year Vernon Viper centreman has skated his way onto Central Scouting’s preliminary list of eligible players for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He is rated as a “B” player, meaning he is considered  a second- or third-round candidate.

“It’s cool to be noticed with a bunch of high-profile names on there,” said Tambellini, who is already committed to the NCAA Division 1 University of North Dakota.

“It’s still a long ways from the draft and I’m sure a lot of things will change on that list beforehand. Can’t think too much on it, but obviously it’s an honour.”

Tambellini is only just starting to appear on the scouting radar, but he already has a good idea of how to deal with increased scrutiny. Part of that comes from having watched his dad, Steve, GM of the Edmonton Oilers, and older brother Jeff, who is now playing in the Swiss National League, handle themselves at the pro level.

“It’s something everyone has to deal with,” said the level-headed teen. “Everyone deals with it in a certain way, but you can’t really think about it too much.

“You just put it in the back of your mind during the season and try to help your team win.”

While Steve and Jeff were both first-rounders (Steve was selected 15th overall by the New York Islanders in 1978, and Jeff was plucked 27th by the Los Angeles Kings in 2003), there is one thing Adam has that they don’t – size.

Tambellini is just shy of his 18th birthday (Nov. 1) and he already stands 6-foot-4 and 175 pounds. Once the top-line pivot fills into that frame, Vernon Viper head coach Jason Williamson believes he will be well-suited for the pro game.

“He’s definitely an elite level talent and I think his stock could rise as the season goes along,” said Williamson. “And I wouldn’t be surprised (if) we see other people on that list because we have some young players that are going to get exposed with Adam being watched so closely.”

Meanwhile, the Vipers have just one weekend B.C. Hockey League tilt, a Saturday-nighter (7:00) against the Trail Smoke Eaters at Wesbild Centre.

Feeling the sting from last weekend’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Salmon Arm SilverBacks, Williamson put the Snakes through the ringer at practice this week.

“Willy kind of laid the hammer down on us,” said Tambellini. “We’re going to come out fired up. They’ve got a game in Trail (against West Kelowna Warriors) the night before, so if we come out with a lot of energy we’ll be able to jump on them early.”

Similar to Salmon Arm, the 1-3 Smokies are a young, rebuilding squad, backed by solid netminding from the acrobatic Lynden Stanwood.

“They’re going to work hard, they’re still younger but they’ve definitely retooled with some guys that are going to come in and push you,” said Williamson.

Vernon outshot the ‘Backs nearly 2-1 last week, and missed several quality chances, including a couple of  gimmes by rookie forwards Mike Roberts and Landon Robin. Williamson wants to see them start to bear down.

“Those are just young players with bad habits from the lower levels they played at,” he said. “It’s probably a goal at those levels, but it happens a little bit quicker here.

“We did a lot of good things, but we need to go into those gritty areas to score goals.”

SNAKE BITES: Tambellini is joined on the Central Scouting “B” list by Nolan De Jong (Victoria Grizzlies), while Dexter Dancs (Penticton), Dante Hahn (Grizz), Bo Pellah (Langley) and Luke Ripley (Powell River) are all predicted to be later-round picks. Vernon’s Curtis Lazar, who plays with the WHL Edmonton Oil Kings, is pegged as a potential first rounder...Viper d-man Marc Hetnik (lower body) and forward Braedan Russell (hand) are unlikely to play this weekend...Colorado Avalanche d-man Ryan O’Byrne has joined Victoria as an assistant coach. He played under Grizzlies’ head coach Bill Bestwick during his BCHL playing days with the Nanaimo Clippers (2001-02), and under current Vipers’ assistant JR Read with the Victoria Salsa (2002-03)...Vees’ Wade Murphy (North Dakota) and Sam Mellor (Western Michigan Broncos) have committed to NCAA scholarships. Murphy had signed with Merrimack, but changed his mind. Mellor played NCAA last season with the Alaska-Anchorage, but de-committed to return to the BCHL.