The Western Hockey League is proud to announce 36 WHL players have been named to NHL Central Scouting’s ‘Players to Watch’ List for the 2021 NHL Draft. The annual ‘Players to Watch’ list was issued Tuesday by the NHL Central Scouting Service.

NHL Central Scouting identifies players with a rating system that includes four categories. The ‘A’ rating indicates players projected to be first-round candidates. The ‘B’ rating indicates players projected to be second- or third-round candidates, and the ‘C’ rating indicates players projected to be fourth-, fifth-, or sixth-round candidates. Though no players received this designation, ‘LV’ represents a player who has not had sufficient viewings, due to injury.

Five WHL players were assigned ‘A’ ratings, including Edmonton Oil Kings forward Dylan Guenther, Moose Jaw Warriors forward Ryder Korczak, Winnipeg ICE defenceman Carson Lambos, Seattle Thunderbirds forward Conner Roulette, and Medicine Hat Tigers forward Cole Sillinger.

Four WHL players were given ‘B’ ratings, including Prince Albert Raiders defenceman Nolan Allan, Edmonton Oil Kings goaltender Sebastian Cossa, Portland Winterhawks forward Jack O’Brien, and Kamloops Blazers forward Logan Stankoven. A total of 27 WHL players earned ‘C’ ratings.

Overall, 18 of 22 WHL Clubs are represented in the preliminary ‘Players to Watch’ List. The Brandon Wheat Kings, Moose Jaw Warriors, Portland Winterhawks, Prince Albert Raiders, Red Deer Rebels, and Seattle Thunderbirds all boast three players each to lead WHL Clubs. Six other WHL Clubs each have two players listed. Another six WHL Clubs are represented by a single player on NHL Central Scouting’s preliminary list.

A total of 20 WHL forwards find themselves on the list, joined by 12 WHL defencemen, and four WHL goaltenders.

2021 NHL Central Scouting ‘Players to Watch’ – WHL Players

PTWLast NameFirst NameTeamHeightWeightPosition
AGuentherDylanEdmonton6’0”166RW
AKorczakRyderMoose Jaw5’10”164C
ALambosCarsonWinnipeg6’0”200D
ARouletteConnerSeattle5’11”161LW
ASillingerColeMedicine Hat5’11”194LW
BAllanNolanPrince Albert6’1”174D
BCossaSebastianEdmonton6’5”207G
BO’BrienJackPortland6’0”154C
BStankovenLoganKamloops5’8”170C
CAlarieEricMoose Jaw6’0”197LW
CBankierCaedanKamloops6’0”164C
CBoykoTalynTri-City6’6”184G
CBusyginYaroslavBrandon6’2”170D
CChiassonJakeBrandon6’1”165RW
CCionaLucasSeattle6’2”201LW
CDachColtonSaskatoon6’2”186C
CEnglotDrewRegina6’2”194RW
CGrubbeJaydenRed Deer6’2”192C
CIorioVincentBrandon6’2”191D
CJordanColeMoose Jaw6’0”173D
CKnakSimonPortland6’0”185RW
CKosiorLandonPrince Albert5’11”190D
CKozakTysonPortland5’10”160C
CKrebsDruMedicine Hat5’11”167D
CLajoieMarcTri-City6’4”226D
CMastersKyleRed Deer5’11”155D
CMilneMichaelWinnipeg5’10”182LW
COstapchukZackVancouver6’3”187C
CSedoffChristofferRed Deer6’1”190D
CSerhyenkoCarterPrince Albert6’4”193G
CStringerZackLethbridge6’0”155LW
CSwardGrahamSpokane6’1”169D
CThomsonBryanLethbridge6’3”179G
CTschigerlSeanCalgary6’0”179LW
CUchaczKaiSeattle6’1”190C
CZellwegerOlenEverett5’8”162D

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-, or sixth-round candidate
  • LV (Limited Viewing) – Injured players who have not had sufficient viewings to be categorized

For the complete NHL Central Scouting ‘Players to Watch’ List, CLICK HERE.

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