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143 CHL Players in Final NHL Central Scouting Draft Rankings

April 11, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release


Toronto, ON - The Canadian Hockey League today announced that 143 CHL players have been listed by NHL Central Scouting in their Final Rankings for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft which takes place June 24-25 in Minnesota.

25 of the top 30 ranked North American prospects are from the CHL including the top 12 led by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins of the Red Deer Rebels ranked first overall rising from his third overall ranking on the midterm list. Gabriel Landeskog of the Kitchener Rangers is ranked second overall after holding top spot in the Midterm Rankings, while Jonathan Huberdeau of the Saint John Sea Dogs moves up one spot to third overall. Dougie Hamilton of the Niagara IceDogs is the top ranked CHL defenceman at fourth overall ahead of the Sea Dogs' Nathan Beaulieu at number five. Sean Couturier of the Drummondville Voltigeurs is ranked sixth. In goal, Christopher Gibson of the Chicoutimi Sagueneens is still the top ranked CHL netminder ranked second overall.

All 40 players that competed in the 2011 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game appear in the rankings including Nugent-Hopkins who was named Player of the Game for Team Orr, and the Rangers' Ryan Murphy ranked ninth overall who was named Player of the Game for Team Cherry in the event held January 18-19 Toronto's Air Canada Centre.

In total, the 143 CHL players includes 127 skaters of the 210 in North America representing nearly 70% of the Final Rankings, while 16 CHL goaltenders were listed among the 30 ranked by NHL Central Scouting representing just over 50%. The Ontario Hockey League had a total of 58 players ranked, with the Western Hockey League not far behind at 52, and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with 33 players in the rankings. The 143 CHL players in the Final Rankings represents an increase over NHL Central Scouting's Midterm Rankings which had 133 CHL players listed in January.

Last year a total of 107 CHL players were selected in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft representing 51% of all players selected. Taylor Hall of the Windsor Spitfires became the fourth straight CHL player to be selected with the first overall pick when he was chosen by the Edmonton Oilers.



Central Hockey League Stories from April 11, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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