43 USHL Players Named to NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings
January 19, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL) News Release
NHL Central Scouting released their "Midterm Rankings" of players eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft, and among the North American list are 43 players that have competed in the USHL season. In addition, 12 USHL alumni were named. Of the 43 current players listed, 38 are committed to play college hockey.
The Midterm Rankings include players from all leagues and levels across North America and are a numerical ranking based on NHL Central Scouting evaluations.
Team USA forwards Clayton Keller (8) and Kieffer Bellows (12) are the top-ranked USHL players playing this season. Bellows was named 2015 USHL Rookie of the Year in addition to winning the Clark Cup Championship with the Sioux Falls Stampede. Riley Tufte (17) played 12 games with the Fargo Force earlier this season, and is expected to return to Fargo at the conclusion of his season with Blaine High School. Chad Krys (30), Trent Frederic (39), Mitchell Mattson (49) and Andrew Peeke (50) rounded out the top-50.
Team USA goaltender Joseph Woll (8) was the highest ranked goaltender in the USHL. Currently playing in the NAHL after brief USHL stints are Tyler Johnson (16) and Peter Thome (19). Lincoln's Peyton Jones (22) and Omaha's Zackarias Skog (24) completed the list of USHL goaltenders.
16 players listed on the Midterm Rankings were featured in the USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game that took place in Omaha, NE. Team West MVP Wade Allison (192) scored a team-high two points in the game.
Youngstown's Yushiro Hirano (151) became the first Japanese-born player to skate in the USHL earlier this season. The Tomakomai, Japan native has scored 30 points in 32 games, including 15 goals for the Phantoms.
2016 follows a record-setting 2015 NHL Draft that saw 37 players from the 2014-15 season selected by NHL teams. The 2016 NHL Draft will be held June 24-25 in Buffalo, NY at the First Niagara Center, home of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres.
United States Hockey League Stories from January 19, 2016
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- Allison, Duehr Named to NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings - Tri-City Storm
- Ryczek, Dodero Listed in NHL Central Scouting Midterms - Sioux City Musketeers
- 43 USHL Players Named to NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings - USHL
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