The biggest weekend of the hockey off-season is quickly approaching. In less than two weeks, the annual National Hockey League entry will be held in Ottawa at Scotiabank Place.

Last year, the Vancouver Giants saw five of their current roster players selected at the draft held in Columbus, Ohio. Jonathon Blum made history by becoming the highest California-born play ever taken in the draft, going 23rd overall to the Nashville Predators.

Forward Michal Repik was the only Giants player selected in the second round by the Florid Panthers while forwards Spencer Machacek (Atlanta Thrashers), Casey Pierro-Zabotel (Pittsburgh Penguins), and goaltender Tyson Sexsmith (San Jose Sharks) were taken in the third round.

This month a handful of Giants could have their names called out by any of the 30 NHL teams. Forwards James Wright and Lance Bouma are likely to be picked in the top half of the draft. Both players who have just completed their second season with Vancouver recently returned from the NHL Draft Combine in Toronto. Wright is ranked 35th overall on the list of North American skaters by the NHL's Central Scouting Service while Bouma is rated 68th.

Two other Giants forwards also made Central Scouting's Final Rankings. Garry Nunn is rated 104th while Craig Cunningham came in at 175th.

The draft will be held June 20 and 21 in Canada's capital city. Stay tuned for more previews in the days leading up to the biggest day hockey's off-season!!