For the second straight year and on the heels of another record-breaking NAHL Showcase, the North American Hockey League (NAHL) is please to announce that 11 players, were recognized on the National Hockey League’s (NHL) ‘Prospects to Watch’ list for 2016 draft-eligible players with the release of NHL Central Scouting's preliminary list of players to watch in North America and Europe.
The list included 10 players that are currently playing in the NAHL this season and one former player that is in another league.
The only other non-major junior league in North America that had more players listed than the NAHL was the USHL. A total of 52 NHL scouts, including those from NHL Central Scouting, were on hand this past week scouting players at the NAHL Showcase. That included scouts from 28 of the 30 NHL teams.
View the complete list here
The lists, comprised of "A," "B" and "C" players for the upcoming season in each of the major junior hockey leagues, are sent to NHL team scouts for the purpose of tracking the top draft-eligible players entering the 2015-16 season. All "A" skaters have been identified as potential first-round picks, while "B" players are considered second- or third-round candidates. The players on the "C" list are thought to be fourth-, fifth- or sixth-round possibilities. Central Scouting's preliminary rankings will be revealed in November. That list includes the top 25 prospects for each of the various leagues throughout North America and Europe.
Current NAHL players on the list (alphabetical)
Croix Evingson, D, Kenai River Brown Bears
Erich Fear, D, Springfield Jr. Blues
Zakery Galambos, D, Johnstown Tomahawks
Mikael Hakkarainen, F, Brookings Blizzard
Brian Hurley, D, Minnesota Wilderness
Tyler Johnson, G, Topeka RoadRunners
Joey Kubachka, F, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights
Jack LaFontaine, G, Janesville Jets
Tommy Nappier, G, Springfield Jr. Blues
Rourke Russell, F, Wichita Falls Wildcats
NAHL players now in another league
Konstantin Chernyuk, F, Wichita Falls Wildcats (2014-15)
All NAHL players listed in this year’s Watch list received a ‘C’ ranking.
NHL Central Scouting will release its midseason rankings of 2016 draft-eligibles in January, followed by its final rankings in April. The Buffalo Sabres will host the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York. Next year's Draft will be held over two days on June 24-25.
A total of seven players with NAHL ties were selected in this past summer’s 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
