Three Firebirds Listed on NHL Central Scouting's Final Draft Rankings
April 16, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release
FLINT, Mich. - NHL Central Scouting released its final 2024 NHL Draft rankings on Tuesday and three Firebirds appeared on the list. Left wing Nathan Aspinall tops the Flint skaters at number 102 among North American Skaters, center Kaden Pitre appears at 144 and defenseman Matthew Jenken is ranked 222.
Aspinall enjoyed a breakout season in 2023-24 as he appeared in 65 games and totaled 18 goals and 16 assists. He did not appear on the NHL Central Scouting Watch List that was released in October but checked in at number 126 among North American skaters during the Midseason Rankings in January. The second-year Firebird improved on his one goal and three assists during his rookie year in 2022-23 and has grown from 6'4 to 6'7 since first joining Flint in 2022.
Pitre notched 10 goals and 20 assists in 35 games played around two separate injuries that caused him to miss time during his second season in Flint. He was originally given a 'C' rating (4th-5th round pick) on the Watch List in October then was ranked 126 at the Midseason Rankings in January. Pitre played his final game of the season on January 26.
Jenken was the only Firebird to appear in all 68 games this season and while doing so, tallied two goals and 16 assists in his second season with Flint. He appeared on the Watch List in October and was given a 'W' rating (6th-7th round pick) and then was not listed on the Midseason Rankings in January.
The 2024 NHL Draft will reportedly be held at the Sphere in Las Vegas over two days, June 28-29. The Firebirds have had at least one player selected in every draft since their inception in 2015 and had a franchise record four players taken in the 2023 NHL Draft.
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