Leason, Protas Listed in NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings
January 21, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince Albert Raiders News Release
Prince Albert, SK - Two Prince Albert Raiders found their names on NHL Central Scouting's midterm rankings, which were released on Monday morning.
Brett Leason was ranked 17th among North American skaters, while Aliaksei Protas came in at 77th in the same category. Both players were left off NHL Central Scouting's Players to Watch list at the beginning of the year, but were included in November's list as potential fourth-to-sixth round draft picks.
Leason is having a career year for the Raiders with 31 goals and 42 assists in 39 games played this season, already setting new highs in all offensive categories. The Calgary product has received recognition as a two-time WHL On the Run Player of the Week, two-time WHL McSweeney's Player of the Month, and a CHL Player of the Week.
Earlier this season, the 6'4, 199-lb winger was a member of Team WHL at the CIBC Canada Russia Series. He assisted on the game-winning goal in Team WHL's lone win of the event.
Leason also represented Canada at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Vancouver and Victoria. He finished the tournament with three goals and two assists in five games.
Protas was selected 26th overall in June's CHL Import Draft. In 39 games this year, the Vitebsk, Belarus product has nine goals and 20 assists.
The 6'5, 192-lb forward suited up for Belarus at the 2019 IIHF U20 World Championship Division 1 tournament in December. Protas picked up a pair of goals and three assists as Belarus finished second in the round-robin format.
The Raiders are back in action on Tuesday night in Victoria when they take on the Royals (22-19-1-0) at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena. Puck drop is 9:05 p.m. Catch the game at The Rock And Iron Sports Bar at the Prince Albert Golf and Curling Club or listen on 900 CKBI.
Leason will take part in the 2019 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Red Deer on Wednesday night as part of Head Coach Marc Habscheid's Team Orr. Catch the game on Sportsnet at 9 p.m. CST.
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