Sutter, Thrower likely to see each other again soon

PITTSBURGH -- It's possible that Saskatoon Blades teammates Lukas Sutter and Dalton Thrower could very well cross paths in the NHL as opponents in the very near future.

On Saturday at Consol Energy Center during the second round of the NHL Draft, it was more about sharing the most incredible experience of their hockey careers.

Sutter, the son of former Philadelphia Flyers forward Rich Sutter, was taken No. 39 by the Winnipeg Jets and Thrower was chosen No. 51 by the Montreal Canadiens.

"We kind of crossed paths on the floor and gave each other a hug," Sutter told NHL.com. "He's my best friend and to share this experience with him is so surreal. I'm extremely proud of him and I'm sure he'd say the same about me."

In 148 games spanning three seasons with the WHL's Blades, Sutter has totaled 352 PIMs, including 165 in 70 contests this season. According to hockeyfights.com, he also dropped the gloves 10 times in 2011-12 -- seven short of the 17 players he fought last season.

But Sutter quietly proved to be much more than an agitator this season in Saskatoon and scouts took notice. He proved to be an extremely valuable asset on the score sheet, connecting for career highs in goals (28), assists (31) and points (59). He also tied for second on the team with nine power-play goals and sported an impressive plus-15 rating.

Sutter catapulted from No. 86 to No. 39 on Central Scouting's all-encompassing list of the top draft eligible North American skaters at the end of the season.

"It's an unbelievable hockey market [in Winnipeg] and the fan base is truly unbelievable so to be a part of it is something that you can only dream of," Sutter said. "You get an opportunity to watch those games and players say you can hardly hear yourself think on the bench. I'm really looking forward to being a part of it one day."

Thrower, Central Scouting's 26th-ranked North American skater, led all Saskatoon defenders with 54 points in 66 games during the 2011-12 campaign.

"We [Thrower and Sutter] crossed each other's path a couple of times here, but my other friend Colton Sissons (Nashville Predators, No. 50) from Kelowna got the spot before me," Thrower said. "I was up giving him a hug and congratulating him when my name was called. So it was pretty cool the way it worked out."

Being drafted by the Canadiens is an absolute dream come true for Thrower?

"This is a huge honor," he told NHL.com. "I came to this Draft with an open mind and to be drafted by the Habs, and pull the sweater over your head, is pretty surreal."

Follow Mike Morreale on Twitter: @mike_morreale