WHL Portland Winterhawks

Five Winterhawks Ranked In NHL Central Scouting's Top-100 Draft Prospects

January 11, 2010 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release


The NHL's Central Scouting Bureau has released its midterm NHL draft rankings, and five Winterhawks players are among the top-100 draft eligible skaters.

Forward Nino Niederreiter is ranked at #14, center Ryan Johansen is ranked #16, defenseman Troy Rutkowski is ranked #43, forward Brad Ross is #69 and defenseman Taylor Aronson is #90.

With five players ranked among the top-90 skaters, it's a number that tops all other WHL teams, and is also the highest number among all 60 teams that comprise the Canadian Hockey League, which includes the WHL, Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. No other team in the WHL or through the entire CHL has more than three skaters among the top 100.

"It's a testament to our depth that we have five players ranked so high by NHL Central Scouting," said Portland Winterhawks General Manager & Head Coach Mike Johnston. "Not only are all five players making big contributions to the team this season, but I believe the best is still yet to come from all of them."

Niederreiter, Johansen and Ross comprise one of Portland's forward lines. Ross leads the team with 49 points, Niederreiter leads the Winterhawks with 24 goals and has 42 points, and Johansen is third in team scoring with 45 points. Rutkowski leads all Winterhawks defensemen with 28 points, while Taylor Aronson has 15 points.

The NHL Draft will take place June 25 and 26 in Los Angeles.

The best sports entertainment value in the northwest are Winterhawks 10+10 Packs: 10 tickets and 10 Hawk Eyes hats starting at just $12 per person. Contact the Winterhawks at 503-236-HAWK (4295) or seats@winterhawks.com for more information.

Check out the Portland Winterhawks Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from January 11, 2010


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