Stars Maintain Four Players, Two Affiliates on Central Scouting Watch List
Published on November 12, 2018 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Lincoln Stars News Release
LINCOLN, NE - In the latest edition of the Players to Watch List published by NHL Central Scouting, 67 players with USHL ties were named as players to watch by NHL Central Scouting. The Stars were once again well-represented by four current players and two affiliates.
On Roster:
#2 Declan Carlile, D:
Declan Carlile has been a steady two-way presence for the Stars, and is coming off a weekend in which he showcased his 200-foot game. While being strong on the puck and tough to beat in his own zone, the Merrimack commit put his offensive skills on display Friday against Sioux Falls. In the final minute of a tie game, Carlile raced a puck over the left wing of Stampede territory before unleashing a blast that found it's way through to win the game for Lincoln. On the season, he has recorded two goals and seven points, good for fifth on the team, and tied for the lead among Stars defensemen. Carlile maintained a C-grade from Central Scouting in his second naming to the list.
#7 Jordan Power, D:
Ottawa native Jordan Power is another versatile piece to the Stars defensive corps. After recovering from injury in the season's early going, Power has emerged as one of the more reliable defenders on roster. He's recorded three assists on the season and his deployment extends through multiple situations, including a current spot on the team's top power play unit. Like Carlile, Power maintained his C-rating from Central Scouting.
#12 Shane Pinto, F:
The Stars leading scorer is coming off an explosive game against one of the league's top-ranked defenses in Tri-City. On Sunday, Pinto recorded the first and last goals of the afternoon, while adding the primary assist on the game's only other tally. On the season he's recorded nine goals and six assists in 14 games. The North Dakota commitment is currently tied for second in the USHL in rookie scoring. He was again handed a C-rating by Central Scouting.
#26 Josh Lopina, F:
Lopina has a goal and an assist while playing in every game of his rookie season for the Stars. Already committed to UMass Amherst, Lopina has spent a good portion of his rookie season logging valuable minutes in the top nine of the Stars lineup, supplying a good blend of physicality and skill. Like his teammates, the Minooka, Illinois native earned a C-grade from Central Scouting.
Affiliates:
Garrett Pinoniemi, F:
Pinoniemi has exploded out of the gates for Team Northeast in Minnesota's UMHSEHL this season, scoring seven goals and 21 assists in 21 games. The future St. Cloud State Husky will also lace the skates for Holy Family Catholic this year.
Arlo Merritt, F:
Earning a B grade once again was Stars affiliate forward Arlo Merritt. The Novia Scotia native is a 2001 birth year committed to Ohio State. A Phase-I draft pick for the Stars in 2017, the big-bodied Canadian has thrived with Kimball Union Academy, scoring 23 goals and 16 assists over his career thus far.
Each year, Central Scouting releases a list of names periodically throughout the season, assigning projections to players they believe will taken in the upcoming NHL Draft. Their rankings are dynamic and are updated throughout the 2018-19 season. They classify these projections as:
- A Rating -- Indicates a 1st round candidate
- B Rating -- Indicates a 2nd/3rd round candidate
- C Rating -- Indicates a 4th/5th/6th round candidate
United States Hockey League Stories from November 12, 2018
- Black Hawks Eyed by NHL - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Stars Maintain Four Players, Two Affiliates on Central Scouting Watch List - Lincoln Stars
- Joe Lamoreaux Commits to St. Cloud State - Madison Capitols
- USHL Leads the World on Updated NHL Central Scouting List - USHL
- Petersen Called Up by Los Angeles - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Gamblers Earn Two Points on the Weekend - Green Bay Gamblers
- USHL Names Players of the Week for Week 7 - USHL
- Mucitelli Nabs Pucks, Recognition as USHL Goaltender of the Week - Lincoln Stars
- RoughRiders' Looft Is USHL Defenseman of the Week - Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
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