OHL Erie Otters

2023 NHL Central Scouting Names Four Otters in Final Draft Rankings

Published on April 18, 2023 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Erie, Pennsylvania - A culmination of a full season of scouting gives professional hockey hopefuls their final recognition and rankings. As the NHL Draft approaches in just over two months, young players will wait with bated breath to hear their name called at the 2023 National Hockey League Entry Draft in Nashville. The biggest sign of the forthcoming Draft - the NHL Central Scouting's Final Rankings of eligible draftees - was unveiled this morning.

In its 48th year of operation, NHL Central Scouting provides evaluation and scouting of draft-eligible players to NHL member clubs. Headed by Vice President of Central Scouting Dan Marr, NHL Central Scouting employs eight full-time scouts throughout North America. With the 2022-23 season at a close for the Erie Otters, the team sees three players ranked among the top players in the world by Central Scouting - Forward Carey Terrance ('05), forward Ondrej Molnar ('05), defenseman Alexis Daviault ('05) and defenseman Spencer Sova ('04, second eligible Draft).

Carey Terrance - 38th Overall (NA Skaters)

The #10 overall pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection Draft, Carey Terrance was highly-regarded as a skilled, pro-style skater heading into the Ontario Hockey League. Now with two full seasons in the OHL under his belt, Terrance has showcased himself as a crafty, playmaking, game-changing forward with a high ceiling. First in team-scoring at the conclusion of the 2022-23 season, the alternate captain Terrance tripled his season-over-season goal total by finishing with 30 goals (47P) in 67 games played.

The skill and ability of Terrance was elevated to the highest stage of scouting among Canadian Hockey League players in January when he participated in the Kubota CHL / NHL Top Prospects Game. As part of the testing during Top Prospects week, Terrance ranked top-five in skating, weaving, transition ability, and reaction - ultimately being named the #3 overall performer of all players.

Ranked at #38 overall among North American Skaters, Terrance holds the distinction of highest-ranked prospect in the Central Scouting Final Rankings for Erie since Jamie Drysdale (2020, #3 NA).

Heading into his first eligible NHL Draft, Terrance has experience playing internationally for both USA Hockey (2021 Five Nations Tournament) and Hockey Canada (2021 Capital City Challenge). The Akwesasne, NY forward was ranked #50 overall (NA Skaters) in the NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings - jumping 12 spots for the final ranking.

Ondrej Molnar - 129th Overall (NA Skaters)

The #5 overall pick in the 2022 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft, the product of Slovakia Ondrej Molnar wasted no time once arriving in North America in showcasing his reputation for scoring. Making his OHL debut in December 2022, Molnar scored a point-per-game in his first seven games. Molnar finished out the 2022-23 season with exactly half a season's worth of OHL games played, scoring 19 points (4G+15A) in the 34 games - including six assists on the man-advantage.

The adaption to the North American game has been no struggle for Molnar, who has found a fit in the offensive core of the Erie Otters as a playmaker and dynamic forward. This comes after time in the Slovakian professional hockey ranks for HK Nitra for Molnar.

With the ultimate goal of the NHL Draft on the horizon, Molnar will look to put Nitra, SVK back on the North American pro hockey map.

Alexis Daviault - 160th Overall (NA Skaters)

The #52 overall pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection Draft by Sarnia, Alexis Daviault jumped nine spots from the Midterm Rankings (#169) to the final rankings - coming after playing the final half of the season in Erie.

Acquired by the Otters on December 14, 2022 from Sarnia, Daviault would produce 15 points (2G+13A) in 41 games for the Otters - acquiring a total of 22 points (4G+18A) after playing 71 regular season games in the 68 game season. Daviault is a hybrid defenseman - not afraid to make plays low in the offensive end, but tactful enough in the defensive end to start play the other way.

The Orleans, ON native's jump showcases the developmental steps made in Erie for Daviault. With the June Draft approaching, the mobile defenseman will look to continue to jump onto scouts and team's radars.

Spencer Sova - 182nd Overall (NA Skaters)

Selected #8 overall in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection Draft, Spencer Sova's two-way ability as a smooth-skating, puck-carrying offensive defenseman has made him a 200-foot threat. Coming into his second season in Erie, the 19-year-old defenseman spent the early offseason with Hockey Canada's National Men's Under-18 Team for 2022 IIHF U18 World Championship and was part of preseason camps with the Buffalo Sabres organization - utilizing the experiences to his advantage.

Named an alternate captain for Erie at season's start, Sova would go on to lead all Otter defensemen with 39 points (16G+23A) behind an ironman 68 game season. Moreover, Sova would be recognized as a top 10 goal-scoring defenseman in OHL, top 30 total-scoring defenseman in OHL in 2022-23 season, and be named the Best Skater in the OHL's Western Conference in the end-of-season Coaches Poll.

Heading into his second NHL Draft as an eligible prospect, Sova brings a hunger to hear his name called. With international experience and accolades behind him, Sova will hope to do Windsor, ON proud.

The Otters organization congratulates Carey, Ondrej, Alexis, and Spencer for their recognition in the Final Rankings, and wish them the best in the lead-up to June's Draft. Since 1969, over 2400 OHL players have been selected in the NHL Draft, representing over 20 percent of all players chosen by clubs, and a figure higher than any other league; solidifying the OHL as the number one supplier of NHL talent. The 2023 NHL Entry Draft takes place June 28-29 in Nashville, TN, as the Erie Otters will look forward to a fourth-straight year of developing players into drafted prospects. Since 1996, 43 players from the Erie Otters have been selected - including names like Connor McDavid, Ryan O'Reilly, Dylan Strome, Jamie Drysdale and more.

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