Aaron Ekblad may be the most mature 18-year-old hockey player on the planet. "Not only does he have a 30-year-olds physique under his equipment but he also thinks and acts like a 10-year NHL vet," said Dan Stewart, scouting director for the independent scouting service Future Considerations. Ekblad, a two-way, right-shooting defenceman, knows what he wants to be not only in this weeks NHL draft but as a professional. Hed love to go No. 1 and continue to mould himself in the images of Shea Weber, Alex Pietrangelo and Duncan Keith. More than anything, though, the Barrie Colts captain wants to be considered reliable on and off the ice. "I dont do too many things that are going to surprise anyone," Ekblad said at last months scouting combine. "Im going to be the kind of player that you know what youre going to get from me." Steady and dependable doesnt put butts in seats, but Ekblad isnt touting himself as a flashy kind of player. Instead, and more importantly, he has the potential to develop into a franchise cornerstone. Because of that, the Belle River, Ont., native is the front-runner to be the top pick Friday night in Philadelphia, whether the Florida Panthers choose to keep it or trade it. Buffalo Sabres general manager Tim Murray said last week he expected Ekblad to go No. 1 regardless. If that happens, Ekblad would be the first defenceman to be selected with the top pick since Erik Johnson in 2006, and the first Canadian-born blue-liner in that spot since Chris Phillips in 1996. Ekblad knows it has been a "long time" since a defenceman was drafted first. But it would come as no shock to NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr. "Aaron Ekblad is a hard player to go past in the draft, I think, for any of the teams, and they know that," Marr said at the combine. "There doesnt seem to be a will to take a defenceman high because a lot of times you dont get the quick bang for your buck." Ekblad wants to provide that, just as 2013 No. 4 pick Seth Jones did for the Nashville Predators. "A hundred per cent" he wants to be in the NHL next season, and he told that to all 16 teams that interviewed him. "Thats the way I believe in myself," Ekblad said. "I wouldnt say Im cocky, but Im confident and I believe that if I work hard and I do all the little things and pay attention to details, I can be in that league next year." With that confidence in mind, Ekblad still watched games this past season and recognized the NHL is a hard league to crack and that getting drafted is just a foot in the door. "It means nothing until you prove that youre ready to do it," he said. Scouts believe Ekblad is prepared to prove it. In the six-foot-three, 213-pound prospect, Ross MacLean of ISS Hockey, another independent scouting service, sees someone with skills to insulate himself from making mistakes and the maturity to be able to adjust to the next level. "Hes a kid that I think probably couldve played in the NHL this year, let alone next year," MacLean said. "I think we saw that with Seth Jones, as well, last year. Theyve just been put into positions where theyve been able to acclimatize and get comfortable and confident and develop their skills at the appropriate pace, and theyre ready for the next step." Typically, theres a learning curve for even the best young defencemen before they can become NHL regulars, let alone stars. But a handful from the top 10 of the 2012 draft, including the Toronto Maple Leafs Morgan Rielly, Anaheim Ducks Hampus Lindholm and Columbus Blue Jackets Ryan Murray, played the full 2013-14 season and showed it may not be as steep as it once was. During the season, then-Predators and now Washington Capitals coach Barry Trotz theorized that its because junior hockey has more pro systems designed to help defencemen adapt quicker. Stewart thinks Ekblad can adjust on the fly because of his awareness. After being given the captaincy in Barrie, Ekblad "was trying to do everything," Stewart said, before recognizing his weaknesses and dialling back to what hes good at. "He has shown time and time again that he learns from mistakes," Stewart said. "Ekblad is always thinking and while he does make some mistakes from time to time, he also shows an ability to compensate for any situational deficiencies. Because of his slower feet, while defending speedy forwards attacking the zone, he gives himself a little larger gap than say if he were going up against someone he feels he can easily wedge off the puck. "Its his advanced thinking on the fly and understanding of his position that should benefit him quickly at the next level." Physically, Ekblad is undoubtedly NHL-ready. After earning exceptional status to play in the OHL at the age of 15, he has gone through three junior seasons in Barrie and held his own at the world junior championship. Stewart was impressed with how Ekblad handled pressure situations and defensive responsibilities while playing for Canada at the world juniors. In Barrie, Colts teammate, roommate and best friend Brendan Lemieux — a projected first- or second-round pick in his own right and the son of former NHL agitator Claude Lemieux — saw Ekblad show even more. "Ek really showed that he was willing to stand up and answer the bell, even with his gloves off. I watched him pound a few guys this year," Lemieux said at the combine. "He might not show that physical presence and how big he is and how tough he can be, but hes a tough guy, too. Hes not just a super-skilled big guy, hes a super-skilled big, tough guy." Ekblad is certainly better known for his 23 goals and 30 assists than his three fights, and it was that offence balanced with defensive acumen that earned him OHL defenceman of the year honours. Its hard to be upset about that kind of season, but Ekblad insisted hes not satisfied with what he showed scouts. "Thats kind of the way everyone here should be thinking: I believe I can always be better," he said. "You look back on some games, some shifts and (think), What if you did this instead of that? I wouldnt say I have any regrets, per se. I think I had a pretty good year. But theres always things you couldve done." --- Follow @SWhyno on Twitter Canada Goose Expedition Parka Uk.Benfica leads Porto by six points before it visits Pacos Ferreira on Monday.Bruno Gallo scored what proved to be Maritimos winner with a left-footed volley in the 32nd minute. Nike Roshe Run Red Womens http://www.cheapstoreuk.me.uk/nike-air-max-90-for-sale-uk/nike-air-max-90-grey.html. The league suspended Cousins for punching Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley in the stomach with 9:44 remaining in the first quarter of the Kings 129-103 loss on Tuesday night in Sacramento. Cousins was fined for verbally abusing official Courtney Kirkland and failing to leave the court in a timely manner following an ejection with 8:21 remaining in the third quarter. Canada Goose Womens Parka Uk. Desharnais scored at 1:43 of overtime to give the Montreal Canadiens a 4-3 victory over the Nashville Predators. Desharnais stripped the puck from defenceman Mattias Ekholm along the left boards, skated to the left faceoff dot and put a slap shot over goalie Carter Huttons left shoulder. Mens Nike Roshe Run Grey. "That was a great lift for the staff," Padres manager Bud Black said. Yonder Alonso and Yasmani Grandal homered, and Chase Headley drove in three runs, as the Padres beat the Chicago Cubs 11-1 on Friday night.OAKLAND, Calif. -- Terrelle Pryor took the opening snap of the game, put the ball in Darren McFaddens belly and saw LaMarr Woodley crash down. Then Pryor did what he does best, sprinting 93 yards for a record-setting run that helped the Oakland Raiders shake off any post-bye blues. Pryor scored on the longest touchdown run ever by a quarterback and the Raiders hung on to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 21-18 Sunday for their first win after a bye since 2002. "I was very surprised, because its never open like that," Pryor said. "Very surprised. But with the game plan, the way they put things together, it doesnt surprise me that sometimes it may happen like that." McFadden added two touchdown runs and the defence did the rest for the Raiders (3-4), who had been outscored by more than 13 points a game in losing their last 10 games out of the bye. Ben Roethlisberger struggled against heavy pressure from Oaklands front, and Shaun Suisham missed two short field goals as Pittsburgh (2-5) squandered any momentum gained during back-to-back wins following an 0-4 start. "It hurts," Roethlisberger said. "We felt like we were doing some good things and we were getting better. Today, we just werent there in all phases. We didnt block well enough, we didnt pass well enough, we didnt catch well enough. We just werent good enough." The Steelers took advantage by a fumble from Jacoby Ford to get in the end zone on a 9-yard pass to Emmanuel Sanders and cut the deficit to 21-10 early in the fourth quarter. But Roethlisberger also threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter. LeVeon Bells 2-yard TD run followed by a 2-point conversion run by Sanders cut Oaklands lead to 21-18 with 1:24 remaining. But Oakland recovered the onside kick. The Raiders got the win despite generating no offence in the second half, gaining one first down and 35 yards of offence in the final 30 minutes. But a defence that sacked Roethlisberger five times and forced two second-half turnovers did enough to give the Raiders their third home win in as many games with Pryor as the starter this season. "We are becoming a football team," safety Charles Woodson said. "I think we have some good players that have been assembled on this team, and were learning how to play together. Were learning each other and what each others strengths and weaknesses are. Were just making some plays out there." Pryor was far from his best after the first play, completing 10 of 19 passes for 87 yards and two interceptions.dddddddddddd He did have his second 100-yard rushing game of the season, finishing with 106 yards on nine carries highlighted by the long run on the first play. "You have to understand the beast thats playing quarterback," Steelers safety Ryan Clark said. "You have to understand what he brings to the game and that thats a part of their game and that they can do that. Once a guy like that gets in front of the whole defence, hes a legit 4.4. Its real. It just looks slow because hes 6-6, but he was moving." The Steelers gained just 35 yards on the ground, allowing Oaklands defence to tee off on Roethlisberger. He withstood the pressure to complete 29 of 45 passes for 275 yards but it wasnt enough. Pryor set the tone on the first play from scrimmage when he kept the ball on a read-option when the Steelers crashed on McFadden and used a strong block by Rod Streater on Troy Polamalu to sprint the length of the field. It was the longest run in Raiders history and longest touchdown run by a quarterback. "We got the right look," guard Mike Brisiel said. "Man, I dont think anyone was close to catching him. Hes like a dad-gum gazelle out there." Oakland dominated the half as Pittsburgh gained 3 fewer yards in the opening two quarters than Pryor had on that one play to open the game. The Raiders took advantage of a short field after a deflected punt by Rashad Jennings to make it 14-0 on McFaddens first touchdown run. McFaddens keeper from 4 yards from the wildcat formation in the closing minutes made it 21-3. The Raiders survived a pair of interceptions in the half by Pryor, including a late one on a pass that hit receiver Brice Butler in the hands. Pittsburgh failed to capitalize on that gift when Suisham was wide right on a 34-yard field goal attempt in the closing seconds for his first miss of the season. Suisham missed to the right again after a more than 9-minute drive to open the third quarter "Its no secret the impact my missed field goals had on the game," Suisham said. "We would have won the game if we made my field goals. Its a tough one to swallow; no choice but to do it. I should have been better today and we lost because of it." NOTES: The Steelers lost three offensive linemen to injuries: LG Ramon Foster (concussion), backup LG Guy Whimper (left knee), RG David DeCastro (right ankle). ... 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