MONTREAL — One of the heart-warming aspects of the Draft is that each prospect is able to invite a cadre of family and friends to share in the experience.

Among the dozen or so who accompanied Brian Dumoulin to Montreal were Tyler Laverriere and Nate Cadorette, two of his Biddeford High chums.

Both were ecstatic about the attention lavished on their longtime friend.

“He’s a very humble kid,” said Cadorette, who will head to the University of Southern Maine in the fall. “He deserves it. He’s earned it.”

Said Laverriere, who is bound for St. Joseph’s, “He’s the same kid. This won’t change him at all.”

Both are predicting a wholesale shift of NHL loyalties will now take place in Biddeford, away from the Boston Bruins and toward the Carolina Hurricanes.

“We’ve both gone over,” said Laverriere.

Some Dumoulin Draft Day fun facts:

— He was the 17th defenseman taken in the 2009 draft, and as the 51st overall pick, was the highest blue liner taken by Carolina since 2005, when the ”˜Canes made Jack Johnson the third overall pick. Johnson never played for Carolina, having been swapped in 2006 to the Los Angeles Kings. The next defenseman drafted after Dumoulin was Eric Gelinas of the Lewiston Maineiacs, who went 54th to New Jersey.

— Dumoulin was the second New Englander tabbed, following his good friend (and future Boston College teammate) Chris Kreider (Boxford, Mass.), who went 19th overall to the New York Rangers. Dumoulin and Kreider are two of the incoming BC Class of 2009 who were drafted.

— Dumoulin is thought to be the second York County native ever drafted by a National Hockey League club. The other is Saco native John Laliberte, who was taken by the Vancouver Canucks in the fourth round (114th overall) in the 2002 Draft. Laliberte, who never signed with the Canucks, has played in the American Hockey League, and is now playing in Europe.

— His birthdate of Sept. 6, 1991 came nine days before the 2009 Draft cutoff date, making Dumoulin the fourth youngest player (out of 211) drafted. Had he been just a little later, he almost certainly would have been a first-rounder in next year’s draft. “He was a week overdue as it was,” said his mother, Deb Dumoulin. “I couldn’t hold on any longer.”

— The NHL has used the current Entry or Amateur Draft format since 1969. Since then the three most prominent players taken in the 51st spot are New Jersey forward Patrik Elias (three Stanley Cups, 295 goals in 822 games), Hall of Fame goaltender, Patrick Roy (three Cups), and Butch Goring (four Cups, 375 goals in 1,107 games).

Each team’s draft floor focus is centered on getting help for its big league club, but the importance of player development — particularly for its AHL farm club — is never off the front burner.

“I’m always thinking about Portland,”, said Darcy Regier, GM of the Buffalo Sabres, the NHL parent of the Portland Pirates, “because that’s where most of our players come from. It’s a critical part of the process. We had a meeting on Portland (Thursday) and agreed to set some priorities on some players. When July 1 (the beginning of free agency) rolls around, we’re going to make some offers for some (free agent) players.”

Buffalo selected six players in all, some of whom are a sure bet to come up through the Portland Pirates on their way to the Sabres.

Among them is fourth rounder Marcus Foligno, son of former Sabre Mike Foligno, who likes to play it rough, as Pirates fans may find out in a year or two.

“I’d rather go around guys than through them,” said Foligno, uttering a sentiment that Pirates and Sabres fans will appreciate.

Like Buffalo, the Boston Bruins also went for a blend of size, skill, and attitude.

Top pick, winger Jordan Caron (taken 25th overall), will likely head back to his junior club, the Rimouski Oceanic for the upcoming season, giving local Bs fans willing to make the trek to Lewiston, two chances (Nov. 8 and Jan. 8) to catch him in action.

The only Day 1 deal involving players — and it was a big one, sending Chris Pronger to Philadelphia — also sent former Portland Pirate Ryan Dingle Eastward from Anaheim.

Dingle could be written off as just a throw in, but according to Philly GM Paul Holmgren, that characterization would be unfair.

“He’s a fine young player,” said Holmgren. “He’s got tremendous offensive ability. He’s a hard-nosed worker. We like the way he plays.”

Although no official announcement has been made, early indications are that Washington will host the 2010 Draft. The likelihood is seen as strong at this point that goaltender (and Kennebunk resident) Brian Billett will be selected then. Billett was Dumoulin’s teammate last year with the New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs, and will be again in 2010 at Boston College.

— Contact Dan Hickling at 282-1535 ext. 318 or dhickling@journaltribune.com.