OHL has 47 players to watch


By
November 15, 2018

Four skaters from the reigning Western Conference champion Soo Greyhounds are among 47 players from the Ontario Hockey League who have been mentioned on the latest National Hockey League Central Scouting players to watch list ahead of the 2019 draft.

Greyhound defenseman Jacob LeGuerrier and forward Joe Carroll were both given B ratings by NHL Central Scouting, which makes both of them potential second or third round prospects on the current players to watch list.

Two other Greyhound forwards, local product Cole MacKay and rookie Cullen McLean, were listed as C prospects, which makes them potential fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh round NHL draft picks on the current Central Scouting projection.

The 2019 NHL draft is slated for June 21-22 in Vancouver, B.C.

The 47 players from the OHL are part of a Canadian Hockey League total of 128, which includes 48 players from the Western Hockey League and 33 from the Quebec Major Jr. Hockey League.

Of note, three OHL skaters were given an A rating by NHL Central Scouting as potential first round draft picks. The trio is made up of forwards Arthur Kaliyev of the reigning OHL champion Hamilton Bulldogs and Ryan Suzuki of the Barrie Colts and defenceman Vladislav Kolyachonok of the Flint Firebirds.

Interestingly, Kolyachonok, who was acquired by Flint off OHL waivers from the London Knights earlier this season, is one of three players from the last place Firebirds who made the current players to watch list. The others are forward Ethan Keppen and goalie Luke Cavallin, who are both on the C list.

Besides the aforementioned MacKay of the Greyhounds, two other Sault Ste. Marie products also made the current C list. They are forwards Nick Porco of the Saginaw Spirit and Keegan Stevenson of the Guelph Storm.

Two members of the OHL’s most improved team from last season to this, the Sudbury Wolves, also checked in on the C list. They are forward Blake Murray and defenseman Liam Ross.

Looking back, 35 OHL players were selected at the 2018 NHL draft including seven who were chosen in the first round.


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