51 WHL PLAYERS NAMED TO NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING MID-TERM RANKINGS

The Western Hockey League is proud to announce 51 WHL players have been named to NHL Central Scouting’s Mid-Term Rankings ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft. The Mid-Term Rankings were issued Friday by the NHL Central Scouting Service.

Regina Pats captain Connor Bedard tops the list as the number-one rated North American Skater. He is joined by 10 other WHL skaters among the top 30 of the North American Skaters rankings, including Moose Jaw Warriors forward Brayden Yager (fifth), Winnipeg ICE forward Zach Benson (seventh) and Vancouver Giants forward Samuel Honzek (ninth).

For the third consecutive season, the WHL boasts the top North American Goaltender in the NHL Central Scouting Mid-Term Rankings. Brandon Wheat Kings netminder Carson Bjarnason is the top-ranked North American Goaltender. The product of Carberry, Man. is followed by Seattle Thunderbirds puck-stopper Scott Ratzlaff (sixth) and Tri-City Americans goaltender Tomas Suchanek (eighth) in the top 10 among North American Goaltenders.

Overall, 20 of 22 WHL Clubs are represented in the Mid-Term Rankings. The Seattle Thunderbirds and Vancouver Giants each boast five players on the lists, while the Brandon Wheat Kings, Everett Silvertips, Kelowna Rockets, Lethbridge Hurricanes, Portland Winterhawks, Red Deer Rebels and Tri-City Americans each have three players on the Mid-Term Rankings. Nine WHL Clubs are represented with two players on the lists, while two further WHL Clubs have a single player on NHL Central Scouting’s lists.

A total of 26 WHL forwards find themselves on the Mid-Term Rankings, joined by 16 WHL defencemen, and nine WHL goaltenders.

In its 48th year of operation, NHL Central Scouting provides evaluation and scouting of draft-eligible players to NHL member clubs. Headed by Director of Central Scouting Dan Marr, NHL Central Scouting employs eight full-time scouts throughout North America.