Three from #HoundPower Ranked for NHL Entry Draft
Published on April 24, 2013 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Soo Greyhounds News Release
Three familiar names to #HoundPower, and three names that are projected to be heard loud and clear in Newark, N.J. in just over two months time.
Earlier today NHL Central Scouting's released their final rankings of the top draft-eligible skaters and goaltenders from North America and Europe and Soo Greyhounds defencemen DARNELL NURSE and TYLER GANLY along with forward SERGEY TOLCHINSKY were among the notables.
The 2013 NHL Entry Draft is set for June 30th, 2013 at the Prudential Center, home of the New Jersey Devils.
NURSE, makes the impressive jump to the 4th ranking (1st Rd) after last sitting 9th at the Midterm rankings earlier this year. "Doc" has been invited to the NHL Scouting Combine that will take place in Toronto, ON from May 27 through June 1st.
The 6'5", 192-lb rearguard is fresh off his 2nd season with the Hounds in which he tallied 12 goals and 29 points, good for 41 points.
"Throughout the year, and really through his two seasons with us, Darnell just continued to get better and better. That's a tribute to him and his commitment every day to maximizing his potential. I find it interesting when the pundits critiize Darnell's offensive upside, considering he had over 40 points while getting little power play time and logging minutes versus the oppositions best players every night. Darnell also played through a very serious hand injury late in the season and during the playoffs which required surgery after our series versus Owen Sound and limited his play during the final stretch. Darnell and Colin Miller logged the toughest minutes each night for our team and for Darnell to have the success he did in all three zones relative to the quality of competition he faced certainly bodes well for his career as an NHL player. It is great to see Darnell rewarded by being the highest rated OHL Player in the final NHL Rankings" stated Hounds GM Kyle Dubas.
TOLCHINSKY climbs thirty-one spots to move to 118th overall (4th Rd) in today's rankings.
The Moscow, Russia product is currently competing at the 2013 IIHF World Under 18 Hockey Championship where he has two points heading into quarter-final action (SEE RELATED STORY)
In his first season with the Hounds, Sergey had 26 goals and 25 assists to lead all first-year players on the club and was later named co-winner of the team's Rookie of the Year Award.
"It is no secret that NHL Central Scouting has Sergey rated lower than all other scouting services, and most of the NHL teams who have communicated with us regarding Sergey. I believe if this list were to be done after the World U18 Championship that Sergey would certainly be rated even higher, given the unanimous positive feedback that his play has garnered through the round robin portion of the event. All of that said, it is nice to see NHL CBS raise Sergey 31 spots. He is an extremely talented young man, with tremendous work ethic and commitment to doing whatever it takes to play in the NHL. As Sergey gets stronger and continues to develop his outside shooting ability, he will only continue to have a greater impact on each game. Sergey was a positive possession player for us in spite of his age and size. He also logged the vast majority of the even strength playing time against the oppositions top two lines. All of that bodes well for his prospects at the NHL Draft and beyond" said Dubas.
Meanwhile GANLY ventures into unchartered waters. After being unrated at mid-season, the Milton, ON product is rated 166th overall (6th Rd).
Originally drafted in the 5th Round of the 2011 by the Hounds, the right-shooting defenceman is coming off a 17 point rookie campaign.
"Tyler is an extremely efficient defenceman who should have great value to NHL clubs. He moves the puck very effectively in all three zones, showed great poise and patience with the puck as the season went on, and has a very smart toughness to him. What I mean by that is that he uses his size and strength to get the puck from the opposition and move it up ice. He does not run around to hit for the sake of hitting and take himself out of position. Tyler is going to be a very key member of our core moving forward and his continued improvement throughout the season certainly provides NHL teams with an indication of how much upside he truly has. Was able to tally 17 points as a first year defenceman, all at even strength" continued the Hounds GM.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from April 24, 2013
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- OHL Announces Disciplinary Action - OHL
- Bailey and Pedersen Listed in Central Scouting's Final Draft Rankings - Kitchener Rangers
- Three from #HoundPower Ranked for NHL Entry Draft - Soo Greyhounds
- U18 Update: Tolchinsky & Russia Perfect So Far - Soo Greyhounds
- NHL Central Scouting's Final Rankings Include 8 Knights - London Knights
- 157 CHL Players in Final 2013 NHL Central Scouting Draft - OHL
- Storm City Weekly - Guelph Storm
- Clarkson Recognized by Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario - Kitchener Rangers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
