The article below, taken from the June 7, 1948 edition of the Detroit Times, is not entirely hockey news but it does include some speculation into the upcoming NAHC draft and this is a real down period for hockey, so it is included below.
JUNE 7, 1948
I FEEL A DRAFT - IMPORTANT DAYS AHEAD FOR LOCAL CAGE AND ICE CREWS
The only good thing about missing the playoffs is you are rewarded with a high draft pick. That is the one consolation both the Detroit Motors and Detroit Mustangs can look forward to as each of the local outfits prepare for the upcoming drafts in their respective sports. The ice Motors, after a last-place finish in the North American Hockey Confederation, will own the first overall selection while the cage Mustangs, who missed the playoffs both years of their existance, will select second in the Federal Basketball League after the Toronto Titans make their choice known.
The Motors could really use help everywhere on the ice, but the biggest need is likely an elite forward who can help the club improve on its league low 2.76 goals per game from last season. While there may not be a dominant can't miss scorer in the current draft class there are some interesting players for Motors Scouting Director Frank Yeadon to look at. It is expected one of three wingers in Pat Benning, Carl Loon or Lou Barber will be Detroit's choice. Benning is a right winger from Yeadon's old stomping grounds of British Columbia and the scouting department feels he has the potential to match Nick Tardif -the Motors young star who was named the league's top rookie this season. Loon hails from Edmonton and is much the same type of player as Benning only playing left wing while Barber, a Tillsonburg, Ont., native may be the closest to being NAHC ready of the three. Barber suited up for 33 games with the HAA Toledo Tigers as a 19-year-old and had 4 goals and 15 points.
Rollie Barrell's Detroit Mustangs feel they are in a very good spot. The Toronto Titans have the first selection in the draft due to their 13-35 season but Barrell is happy choosing second. The owner would not comment on any specific potential draftee but it is clear the Mustangs will select either Walt Messer or Darren Fuhrman. Messer might be a slightly better fit as the Mustangs do have a need for a big body with Manuel Nelson turning 39 years of age recently but it is expected the Titans will select him simply on name recognition in a bid to help attendance. Messer is the reigning AIAA player of the year and younger brother of New York Gothams outfielder Walt Messer. Fuhrman, a Texas native who starred at Texas Gulf Coast, might end up having the higher ceiling but with him the Detroit lineup might be a little undersized if the plan is to use the 6'6" youngster along with Jack Kurtz and David Reed in the front court, assuming Nelson elects to retire as he has hinted.
The draft is also important in the coming weeks in FABL. The first 10 rounds have been completed but the Detroit Dynamos are highly anticipating the arrival of local youngster Dino Sharp. The 18-year-old Detroit native was the Dynamos first round pick and was among the nation's leaders with 12 homers for his Cleveland-area high school this season. Most mock drafts conducted by OSA list the power-hitting first baseman as the number one draft eligible prospect. Detroit, and the rest of FABL, are free to sign draftees to pro contracts after the final 15 rounds of the draft are conducted June 21.
OTHER HEADLINES THIS WEEK
- World Heavyweight Champion Hector Sawyer is back in the ring Saturday at Gothams Stadium New York face lightly regarded Steve Case in what should be a mere tune-up for the champ before he embarks on his European tour.
- Ward Messer, younger brother of New York Gothams all-star outfielder Walt Messer, and 1947-48 AIAA collegiate basketball player of the year, has decided to enter the Federal Basketball League draft. College seniors must declare an intention which draft out of the two pro leagues they wish to be included in.
- For the third year in a row Bluegrass State is the top seed in the Collegiate Baseball World Championship Series, which opens in Boston a week from today.
- A record peacetime military budget of $10 billion was passed by the House and sent to the Senate after hearing warnings of menace from Soviet might.
- Speaking in Omaha on his western campaign tour, President Truman warned a Farm Belt audience of the danger of a "farm depression" in a speech ripping into Congress for inaction on his agricultural program.
- Flooding in the Pacific Northwest has left at least 20 dead and caused more than $37 million in property loss.
Full national sports coverage is available in this week's edition of
THIS WEEK IN FIGMENT BASEBALL.