NHL Central Scouting has released its initial Players to Watch list ahead of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and five current BCHL players have made the cut.

Each ranked BCHL player is listed as a C Prospect, which means a potential fourth, fifth or sixth-round pick.

The list includes:

  • Chilliwack Chiefs F Ethan Bowen
  • Langley Rivermen D Ryan Helliwell
  • Nanaimo Clippers F Kyler Kovich
  • Vernon Vipers D Trey Taylor
  • Penticton Vees F Danny Weight

On top of the five players from the BCHL, there are another eight Junior A players included on the list, including five from the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) and three from the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL).

The highest-rated CJHL player is Carter Savoie, a defenceman for the AJHL’s Sherwood Park Crusaders.

Last year, eight BCHL players were selected in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, including Victoria Grizzlies alum and reigning BCHL MVP Alex Newhook who was chosen in the first round (16th overall) by the Colorado Avalanche.

The 2020 NHL Entry Draft goes June 26 and 27 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Que.

Here is the full list of CJHL players ranked by NHL Central Scouting

PLAYER

POS.

TEAM

LEAGUE

RANKING

Carter SavoieDSherwood Park CrusadersAJHLB
Ryan AlexanderCSt. Michael’s BuzzersOJHLC
Michael BenningDSherwood Park CrusadersAJHLC
Ethan BowenCChilliwack ChiefsBCHLC
Stanley CooleyCSpruce Grove SaintsAJHLC
Kabore DunnDFor McMurray Oil BaronsAJHLC
Ethan EdwardsDSpruce Grove SaintsAJHLC
Ryan HelliwellDLangley RivermenBCHLC
Brendan KennetteDBurlington CougarsOJHLC
Kyler KovichLWNanaimo ClippersBCHLC
Trey TaylorDVernon VipersBCHLC
Ryan TververgDToronto Jr. CanadiensOJHLC
Danny WeightCPenticton VeesBCHLC