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NAHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights

Bertrand, Vyletelka Get NHL Recognition

October 3, 2018 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights News Release


The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights are proud to announce that both forward Jeffrey Bertrand and Goaltender Samuel Vyletelka have been recognized by the NHL's Central Scouting "Prospects to Watch" list for 2019 draft eligible players.

As a whole, the NAHL saw 14 of its' active players make the list, with five listed as C-ranked players, and the other seven (including Bertrand and Vyletelka) making the watch list for next year's draft. The Knights are the only East Division team to have this honor.

Bertrand, 17, has already registered a goal and has six games under his belt this season. A native of Anchorage, Alaska, Bertrand has committed to Penn State University to play division one hockey. He is the third youngest player on the Knights' roster.

Goalie Vyletelka was picked up by the Knights in round four of the 2018 NAHL draft. The net minder stands 6'2? and turns 18 in November. Vyletelka has made two starts so far this season, including a game in which he made 31 saves on the Brookings Blizzard at the NAHL Showcase in Blaine, Minnesota.

While this recognition stands incredibly important to both players, it is of equal reward to the coaches and staff in the Knights' Organization.

"The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights pride ourselves on being able to develop players and get them to the next levels of hockey. The recruiting staff did a great job finding players that fit what we are looking for," says Head Coach/GM Tom Kowal. "Having two current players named to NHL Central Scouting's Players to Watch List is a huge accomplishment for our organization. Both players have very high ceilings and have earned a spot on this list next to the best draft eligible players in the world."

"Jeffrey Bertrand joined us last year after a successful season with the Alaska Oilers U16 team and fit right in to junior hockey," said Director of Player Development Justin Schreiber. "He played a major role in the success we had in the playoffs last season, winning the East Division and getting to the Robertson Cup. We are looking forward to his continued growth as he shows why he has caught the eyes of NHL scouts this season."

"Samuel Vyletelka joined us this year after our scouting staff identified him at the U18 level last season and drafted him in this year's NAHL Draft," explains Asst. Coach Andrew Whiteside. "He has a great frame and tracks the puck very well. He's had a great start to this season in his first year of playing junior hockey and it's easy to see why NHL scouts are talking about him."

NHL Central Scouting will release its midseason rankings of 2019 draft-eligible players in January, followed by its final rankings in April.

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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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