NHL Scouts Eying Battalion's McKenzie
January 20, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
North Bay Battalion News Release
NORTH BAY, Ont. - Brett McKenzie of the North Bay Battalion is ranked No. 124 among North American-based skaters in midseason ratings by the National Hockey League's central scouting department in anticipation of the 2015 NHL Draft.
The NHL, which released the rankings Tuesday, put a total of 46 Ontario Hockey League skaters on the 210-player list, as well as seven OHL goaltenders on a 35-man list.
"Obviously, it's not where I want to be," said McKenzie. "I want to be higher."
Battalion coach Stan Butler was of a similar view.
"I'm happy for Brett that he made the list. I'm not happy with where he is on the list."
Said Butler: "If he plays the way he's capable of in the second half of the season, I don't think there's any doubt he'll move up the list.
"He's shown them at times flashes of what he's capable of doing, and he's got to show them on a more consistent basis to move up the ladder."
McKenzie, primarily a centre who also has played left wing, has scored five goals and earned 10 assists for 15 points in 40 games this season.
The Ottawa native, who turns 18 on March 12, was North Bay's first-round pick, 10th overall, in the 2013 OHL Priority Selection from the Oakville Rangers minor midgets. He had 13 goals and 10 assists for 23 points in 63 OHL games as a rookie in 2013-14.
Centre Connor McDavid of the Erie Otters is No. 1 on the list of North American skaters. Mackenzie Blackwood of the Barrie Colts is the top-ranked goaltender on the continental list.
The NHL, which also compiles lists of European-based skaters and goaltenders, is to conduct its draft June 26-27 at Sunrise, Fla. Players are first-time eligible in the year they turn 18, unless they're born Sept. 16 or later, in which case they must wait until the following year.
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