If we were speaking strictly in hockey terms, this would be considered a very good draft year.

The valley’s youth athlete class of 2008 is truly outstanding, running the full gamut of different sports from fencing to field hockey and spanning all ages.

Compiling our annual list of the top youth athletes has never been more difficult, although managing editor John McKinley insists I say that every year.

Just making the list this year is a huge coup for the athletes selected. Many talented young men and women have been left off this time simply because there’s not enough room to fit them all in.