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WHL Portland Winterhawks

Three Winterhawks Recognized by NHL Central Scouting

November 2, 2020 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release


The Portland Winterhawks are proud to announce three players are named on NHL Central Scouting's Players to Watch List for the 2021 NHL Draft.

Second-year forwards Jack O'Brien, Tyson Kozak and Simon Knak all made the preliminary list that was released on October 27. The news comes just weeks after the Winterhawks watched their 140th, 141st and 142nd players selected in the NHL Entry Draft in program history.

O'Brien received a 'B' rating by NHL Central Scouting after an impressive 2019-20 season. In 55 games with the Winterhawks, the centerman from Denver, CO finished first among Portland rookies with 14 goals and his 30 points put him 14th on the WHL rookie scoring list.

Kozak and Knak were both recognized as a 'C' rated prospects for the 2021 NHL Draft. Kozak flourished during his first season in Portland, scoring 13 goals and 16 assists for 29 points, and he was second on the team in face-off percentage. Knak led all Portland rookies with 34 points in 49 games and he represented Switzerland at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championships.

All three players are getting ready for the WHL Regular Season to begin on Friday, January 8, 2021. Stay tuned for more information leading up to the New Year.

In total, 36 WHL players are on the Players to Watch List and the Portland Winterhawks are tied for the most representatives among WHL Clubs.

2021 NHL Central Scouting Players to Watch - WHL Players (Alphabetically)

PTW Last Name First Name Team Height Weight Position

A Guenther Dylan Edmonton 6'0" 166 RW

A Korczak Ryder Moose Jaw 5'10" 164 C

A Lambos Carson Winnipeg 6'0" 200 D

A Roulette Conner Seattle 5'11" 161 LW

A Sillinger Cole Medicine Hat 5'11" 194 LW

B Allan Nolan Prince Albert 6'1" 174 D

B Cossa Sebastian Edmonton 6'5" 207 G

B O'Brien Jack Portland 6'0" 154 C

B Stankoven Logan Kamloops 5'8" 170 C

C Alarie Eric Moose Jaw 6'0" 197 LW

C Bankier Caedan Kamloops 6'0" 164 C

C Boyko Talyn Tri-City 6'6" 184 G

C Busygin Yaroslav Brandon 6'2" 170 D

C Chiasson Jake Brandon 6'1" 165 RW

C Ciona Lucas Seattle 6'2" 201 LW

C Dach Colton Saskatoon 6'2" 186 C

C Englot Drew Regina 6'2" 194 RW

C Grubbe Jayden Red Deer 6'2" 192 C

C Iorio Vincent Brandon 6'2" 191 D

C Jordan Cole Moose Jaw 6'0" 173 D

C Knak Simon Portland 6'0" 185 RW

C Kosior Landon Prince Albert 5'11" 190 D

C Kozak Tyson Portland 5'10" 160 C

C Krebs Dru Medicine Hat 5'11" 167 D

C Lajoie Marc Tri-City 6'4" 226 D

C Masters Kyle Red Deer 5'11" 155 D

C Milne Michael Winnipeg 5'10" 182 LW

C Ostapchuk Zack Vancouver 6'3" 187 C

C Sedoff Christoffer Red Deer 6'1" 190 D

C Serhyenko Carter Prince Albert 6'4" 193 G

C Stringer Zack Lethbridge 6'0" 155 LW

C Sward Graham Spokane 6'1" 169 D

C Thomson Bryan Lethbridge 6'3" 179 G

C Tschigerl Sean Calgary 6'0" 179 LW

C Uchacz Kai Seattle 6'1" 190 C

C Zellweger Olen Everett 5'8" 162 D

Additionally, five unsigned Portland prospects topped the 2021 Players to Watch List, led by Winterhawks 2018 fourth-round WHL Bantam selection Chaz Lucius.

2021 NHL Central Scouting Players to Watch - Winterhawks Prospects

PTW Last Name First Name Team Height Weight Position

A Lucius Chaz USNTDP 6'0" 172 C

B Knies Matthew Tri-City USHL 6'3" 206 LW

C Buium Shai Shattuck St. Mary's Prep 6'4" 205 D

C Gasseau Andre USNTDP 6'4" 202 C

C Murchison Ty USNTDP 6'2" 189 D

Players have been identified using the following criteria:

A Rating - Indicates a first-round candidate

B Rating - Indicates a second- or third-round candidate

C Rating - Indicates a fourth-, fifth-, or sixth-round candidate

LV (Limited Viewing) - Injured players who have not had sufficient viewings to be categorized

Check out the Portland Winterhawks Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from November 2, 2020


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.

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