Four Tigers Named in Final NHL Central Scouting Rankings

April 16, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Medicine Hat Tigers News Release

Medicine Hat, AB - As the journey to the NHL Draft in Las Vegas inches closer, NHL Central Scouting has released it's final rankings and four members of the 2023-2024 Medicine Hat Tigers are on the list for North American Skaters.

Leading the way is Tigers Centre Cayden Lindstrom (Chetwynd, BC) ranked third. Third year winger Andrew Basha (Calgary, AB) is ranked 25th, Tomas Mrsic (Surrey, BC) is 64th & WHL Humanitarian of the Year nominee Shane Smith (Cessford, AB) is ranked 161st.

Lindstrom, 18, in an injury shortened season finished with 27 goals and 19 assists in 32 games played. He won gold at the 2023 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup in Czechia and was the WHL's Rookie of the Year nominee for the Central Division during the 2022-2023 season with the Tigers.

Basha, 18, in his third season with the Tigers had a career year with 85 points, (30 goals, 55 assists) in 63 games. In his career in 178 games played, Basha has scored 55 goals & added 100 assists. Andrew also participated in this year's CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

Mrsic, 18, in his sophomore season with the Tigers also put up career numbers scoring 23 goals and adding 39 assists in 63 games including eight power player markers. Mrsic represented Canada at the World U17's last season.

Smith, 19, also in his second season with the Tigers made his mark scoring 29 goals and 22 assists in 64 games with the orange & black this season. Smith was nominated for the Central Division's Humanitarian of the Year for the upcoming WHL League Awards.

See the Full WHL Release Below

Calgary, Alta. - Fifty-seven Western Hockey League players have been listed by NHL Central Scouting in its Final Rankings ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft, the WHL confirmed Tuesday.

Medicine Hat Tigers forward Cayden Lindstrom leads the way, with the Chetwynd, B.C. product ranked third among North American skaters.

The Final Rankings were revealed by NHL Central Scouting on Tuesday morning.

Seven WHL skaters are listed within the top 20 North American skaters, including Lindstrom, Berkly Catton (Spokane Chiefs), Tij Iginla (Kelowna Rockets), Carter Yakemchuk (Calgary Hitmen), Terik Parascak (Prince George Cougars), Julius Miettinen (Everett Silvertips) and Ryder Ritchie (Prince Albert Raiders).

Four WHL netminders ranked in the top 10 North American Goaltenders- Lukas Matecha (Tri-City-Americans), Dawson Cowan (Spokane Chiefs), Evan Gardner (Saskatoon Blades) and Chase Wutzke (Red Deer Rebels).

All 22 WHL clubs are represented in the Final Rankings. The Calgary Hitmen lead the way with five ranked players, while the Edmonton Oil Kings, Everett Silvertips, Medicine Hat Tigers and Spokane Chiefs have four players ranked. Five more teams, the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Prince George Cougars, Red Deer Rebels, Regina Pats and Victoria Royals have three ranked players each.

Thirty-five WHL forwards are ranked, followed by 16 WHL defencemen and six WHL goaltenders.

The 57 WHLers recognized are tied with the Ontario Hockey League for the most listed players in the Canadian Hockey League. In total, 149 CHL players are listed, including 57 from the OHL and 35 from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).

2023-24 NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings - WHL Skaters

Rank Last Name First Name Hometown Team Height Weight Position

3 Lindstrom Cayden Chetwynd, B.C. Medicine Hat 6'3.25 210 C

8 Catton Berkly Saskatoon, Sask. Spokane 5'10 170 C

9 Iginla Tij Lake Country, B.C. Kelowna 5'11.75 182 C

11 Yakemchuk Carter Calgary, Alta. Calgary 6'2.75 201 D

15 Parascak Terik Lethbridge, Alta. Prince George 5'11.5 173 RW

18 Miettinen Julius Helsinki, Fin. Everett 6'2.5 203 C

19 Ritchie Ryder Kelowna, B.C. Prince Albert 5'11.75 175 RW

22 Jecho Adam Zlin, Cze. Edmonton 6'4.75 197 C

26 Basha Andrew Calgary, Alta. Medicine Hat 5'11 174 LW

31 Elick Charlie Calgary, Alta. Brandon 6'3.25 194 D

36 Roberts Colton Maple Ridge, B.C. Vancouver 6'3.75 192 D

38 Smith Tarin Porcupine Plane, Sask. Everett 6'1 175 D

40 Josephson Ollie Victoria, B.C. Red Deer 6'0 178 C

41 Howe Tanner Prince Albert, Sask. Regina 5'9.5 175 LW

50 Wetsch Carson North Vancouver, B.C. Calgary 6'0.25 190 RW

52 Brunicke Harrison Calgary, Alta. Kamloops 6'2.5 184 D

53 Marques Miguel Prince George, B.C. Lethbridge 5'10.75 173 RW

58 Curran Maxmillian Prague, Cze. Tri-City 6'2.5 179 C

63 Gojsic Hiroki Langley, B.C. Kelowna 6'2.75 198 RW

64 Mrsic Tomas Surrey, B.C. Medicine Hat 5'11.25 170 C

69 Becher Ondrej Ostrava, Cze. Prince George 6'1 184 C

77 Caswell Clarke Brandon, Man. Swift Current 5'10.75 170 LW

84 Eric Jamieson Calgary, Alta. Everett 6'2.5 199 D

86 Laing Hunter Kelowna, B.C. Prince George 6'5.25 205 C

89 Misskey Nate Melfort, Sask. Victoria 6'3.25 210 D

93 McIsaac William Vancouver, B.C. Spokane 6'3 192 D

107 Mayes Nathan Salmon Arm, B.C. Spokane 6'3.75 194 D

111 Thorpe Tyler Richmond, B.C. Vancouver 6'4 209 RW

112 Alcos Parker Port Moody, B.C. Edmonton 6'2.5 180 D

119 Mistelbacher Luke Steinbach, Man. Swift Current 5'11.75 195 RW

134 Buttazzoni Diego Langley, B.C. Portland 5'9 183 C

136 Heslop Jesse Nanaimo, B.C. Everett 5'10.5 171 LW

138 Fawcett Keets Grimshaw, Alta. Calgary 5'9.75 167 RW

141 Cooper Miles Calgary, Alta. Wenatchee 5'9.75 163 C

146 Pederson Rhys Stettler, Alta. Edmonton 6'3.75 194 D

150 Vaughan Jaxsin Merritt, B.C. Regina 6'0.75 206 RW

155 Vaughan Corbin Merritt, B.C. Regina 6'0 205 D

157 Zakreski Josh Saskatoon, Sask. Portland 5'10.5 188 LW

160 Lovsin Simon Stony Plain, Alta. Seattle 5'11.5 176 RW

161 Smith Shane Cessford, Alta. Medicine Hat 6'0.25 194 C

170 Edwards Brayden Abbotsford, B.C. Lethbridge 6'0 186 C

176 McKenzie Pavel Cumberland House, Sask. Moose Jaw 6'0 174 LW

179 Valliant Chase Surrey, B.C. Calgary 6'0.25 174 C

187 Drancak Samuel Strakonice, Cze. Red Deer 5'11.25 185 C

202 Pickford Bryce Chauvin, Alta. Seattle 5'11.5 170 D

204 Williams Dax Calgary, Alta. Calgary 6'0 190 D

206 Fryer Seth Victoria, B.C. Victoria 6'6.5 197 D

212 Hadland Caleb Sylvan Lake, Alta. Brandon 5'9.75 174 LW

216 Fluker Josh Boissevain, Man. Wenatchee 6'0 160 D

223 Hodnett Gavin Winnipeg, Man. Edmonton 5'6.5 158 LW

2023-24 NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings - WHL Goaltenders

Rank Last Name First Name Hometown Team Height Weight Position

3 Matecha Lukas Pardubice, Cze. Tri-City 6'3 196 G

5 Cowan Dawson Warren, Man. Spokane 6'1.75 186 G

7 Gardner Evan Fort St John, B.C. Saskatoon 6'0 175 G

9 Wutzke Chase Debden, Sask. Red Deer 6'1.75 158 G

27 Unger Jackson Calgary, Alta. Moose Jaw 6'1.25 185 G

29 Tamelin Ryan Invermere, B.C. Victoria 6'8 201 G

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