The Western Hockey League is proud to announce 52 WHL players have been named to NHL Central Scouting’s updated ‘Players to Watch’ list for the 2020 NHL Draft.

NHL Central Scouting identifies players with a rating system that includes four categories. The ‘A’ rating indicates a first-round candidate, a ‘B’ rating indicates a second- or third-round candidate, and a ‘C’ rating indicates a fourth-, fifth-, or sixth-round candidate. A ‘LV’ rating indicates Limited Viewing of injured players who have not had sufficient viewings to be categorized.

Five WHL players were given ‘A’ ratings, including Prince Albert Raiders defenceman Kaiden Guhle, Moose Jaw Warriors defenceman Daemon Hunt, Brandon Wheat Kings defenceman Braden Schneider, Vancouver Giants forward Justin Sourdif, and Kamloops Blazers forward Connor Zary. Zary is currently tied for first in WHL scoring this season with 30 points (13G-17A).

Eleven WHL players earned ‘B’ ratings, led by a trio of Portland Winterhawks in Cross Hanas, Seth Jarvis, and Simon Knak. Thirty-six more players earned ‘C’ ratings. The updated list features 28 forwards, 18 defencemen, and six goaltenders.

Overall, 21 of 22 WHL member Clubs are represented on the list. The Portland Winterhawks and defending WHL Champion Prince Albert Raiders led the way with five players each on the list. The Brandon Wheat Kings and Saskatoon Blades follow closely behind with four players each on the updated list. Five WHL member Clubs feature a trio of players on the list. Seven more feature a pair of players and five are represented by a single player.

The 2020 NHL Draft will take place at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Que. from June 26 to 27, 2020.

2020 NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING PRELIMINARY ‘PLAYERS TO WATCH’ – WHL PLAYERS

Skaters

PTWLast NameFirst NameTeamHeightWeightPosition
AGuhleKaidenPrince Albert6’2”188D
AHuntDaemonMoose Jaw6’0”198D
ASchneiderBradenBrandon6’2”202D
ASourdifJustinVancouver5’11”173RW
AZaryConnorKamloops6’0”177C
BFinleyJackSpokane6’6”213C
BGreigRidlyBrandon5’11”164C
BHanasCrossPortland6’1”167LW
BJarvisSethPortland5’10”179C
BKnakSimonPortland6’1”185RW
BMcClennonConnorWinnipeg5’8”163RW
BNeighboursJakeEdmonton6’0”197LW
BProkopLukeCalgary6’4”219D
BSedoffChristofferRed Deer6’2”193D
BWiesblattOzzyPrince Albert5’10”183RW
CBauerTyrelSeattle6’3”206D
CBoykoNoahLethbridge6’0”173RW
CBrondbergJonasPortland6’4”189D
CBrookJakobPrince Albert6’2”183RW
CCikhartJanTri-City6’3”179C
CCrnkovicKyleSaskatoon5’6”159LW
CDe La GorgendiereAidanSaskatoon6’0”183D
CFergusonIanTri-City5’11”178D
CFromm-DelormeRobbiePortland6’1”182RW
CGoncalvesGageEverett6’0”165C
CGutMichalEverett6’0”187C
CHomolaDavidMoose Jaw5’10”163D
CHughesBearSpokane6’1”171C
CKingBenRed Deer6’2”194C
CKosiorLandonPrince Albert5’11”190D
CKubicekSimonSeattle6’2”205D
CKucerikRadekSaskatoon6’1”211D
CMcCartneyBenBrandon6’0”182LW
CNovakPavelKelowna5’9”170RW
CPalivkoDanilaLethbridge6’5”199D
CPedersonOwenWinnipeg6’3”191C
CPillarJoshKamloops5’11”171C
CPuutioKasperSwift Current5’11”184D
CRhinehartRhettPrince George6’3”203D
CRobinsTristenSaskatoon5’10”176RW
CSeeleyRonanEverett6’0”176D
CShepardColeVancouver5’11”157LW
CSouchCarterEdmonton5’9”166LW
CSvejkovskyLukasVancouver5’10”165C
CUsauIlyaPrince Albert6’0”182C
CZlotyBenjaminWinnipeg5’10”175D

Goaltenders

PTWLast NameFirst NameTeamHeightWeightPosition
BMcNaughtonJackCalgary6’1”179G
CBjorklundGarinMedicine Hat6’2”173G
CGarandDylanKamloops6’0”173G
CGouldBrockVictoria6’5”201G
CKrugerEthanBrandon6’1”181G
CThomsonBryanLethbridge6’4”179G

Players have been identified using the following criteria:

  • A Rating — Indicates a first round candidate
  • B Rating — Indicates a second or third round candidate
  • C Rating — Indicates a fourth/fifth/sixth round candidate

• LV (Limited Viewing) — Injured players who have not had sufficient viewings to be categorized.