Predators Pick California Native Chase Balisy with Sixth Round Pick

The Nashville Predators went back to the west coast to draft California's Chase Balisy with the 170th pick in the sixth round of the 2011 NHL Entry Deaft. He is from the same town of Rancho Santa Margarita as Preds defenseman Jon Blum.

The 6', 20 year old Balisy came out of the US Development program and played as a Freshman at Western Michigan where he had 12 goals and 18 assists in 42 games playing in the CCHA. He was named a second team Freshman All-American.

Earlier this month he was chosen to be one of 40 invitees to the initial Team USA Junior roster that will go to camp in Lake Placid, NY August 6-13. He won a gold medal with the U-18 USNTDP two years ago.

Here is an interview with Balisy from February at the United States of Hockey.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass