WHL Wenatchee Wild

Wenatchee Skaters Fluker, Cooper Noted on NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings

January 12, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Wenatchee Wild News Release


Wenatchee Wild forward Miles Cooper
Wenatchee Wild forward Miles Cooper
(Wenatchee Wild, Credit: Russ Alman)

WENATCHEE, Wash. - The Wenatchee Wild, proud members of the Western Hockey League (WHL), are excited to announce that 2006-born forward Miles Cooper and 2006-born defenseman Josh Fluker have been recognized by National Hockey League Central Scouting as part of its midterm rankings for the 2024 NHL Draft. NHL Central Scouting announced its midterm rankings Friday.

Cooper was recognized as the 123rd-ranked North American skater at the midway point of the season, ahead of this summer's NHL Draft, scheduled for June 28 and 29. The Calgary, Alberta native has been on the NHL draft radar throughout his first full WHL season, appearing in 37 of Wenatchee's 40 games thus far, and notching 11 goals and 19 assists. He was recognized as a "C"-rated player on NHL Central Scouting's early-season Players to Watch list, projecting him as a fourth- or fifth-round prospect in this summer's draft.

Fluker was not far behind, ranked 139th among North American skaters. The Boissevain, Manitoba native made his Wild debut last Saturday, picking up his first assist in a Wenatchee uniform after playing 101 games over two-plus seasons for the Swift Current Broncos. Fluker has two goals and eight assists this season in 37 games as a blueliner for the two teams, and was also placed on NHL Central Scouting's "C" list in October.

A total of 406 players worldwide were ranked, divided between players on North American and international teams, and further divided between goaltenders and skaters. Eight WHL players were ranked among the top 20 North American skaters, led by Medicine Hat's Cayden Lindstrom at third, while Spokane goaltender Dawson Cowan and Tri-City's Lukas Matecha are among the top 10 North American goaltenders. In all, 60 WHL players were noted in the rankings, leading the three Canadian Hockey League member circuits. All 22 WHL teams had at least one player listed in Friday's midterm rankings.

Wenatchee continues a seven-game homestand on Sunday for Youth Hockey Night against the Everett Silvertips, presented by Wenatchee Clinic Pharmacy, with the opening puck drop at Town Toyota Center scheduled for 4 p.m. Tickets for that game and all home regular-season contests are on sale now at 509-888-7825, or by visiting the team office at Town Toyota Center. Updated news and information on Wild hockey are always available through the team's website and on the team's social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

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Images from this story

Wenatchee Wild defenseman Josh Fluker
Wenatchee Wild defenseman Josh Fluker
(Russ Alman)		 Wenatchee Wild forward Miles Cooper
Wenatchee Wild forward Miles Cooper
(Russ Alman)		  



Western Hockey League Stories from January 12, 2024


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