AJHL Draft Prospects Jump in NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings

NHL Central Scouting on Monday revealed its final rankings for the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on June 21 & 22. 

Congratulations to forwards Quinn Olson (Okotoks Oilers) and Zachary Okabe (Grande Prairie Storm), defenceman Luke Bast (Brooks Bandits), and goaltenders Carter Gylander (Sherwood Park Crusaders) and Matthew Davis (Spruce Grove Saints).

The rankings feature the top 217 skaters and 31 goaltenders in North America as well as the top 135 skaters and 12 goaltenders internationally.

Quinn Olson is the highest ranked AJHL skater, now listed at #105 among North American skaters, a jump from #154 in the January mid-term rankings.  Luke Bast also rose, moving from #158 to #137 while Zachary Okabe held his spot at #201. 

Carter Gylander moved up two spots into the #10 ranking among North American goaltenders and is the highest rated CJHL netminder.  Davis leapt ahead from #30 to #24 as he continues to put on a phenomenal performance in the 2019 Inter Pipeline AJHL Finals.

24 Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) skaters and goaltenders were among those listed in today's rankings.

Final Rankings

The 2019 NHL Scouting Combine, featuring the top 109 draft-eligible players from North America and Europe, returns to Buffalo in May. The NHL will host a media availability on May, 31 followed by the fitness testing portion of the NHL Scouting Combine on Saturday, June 1.

A total of 88 players have been selected in the NHL Entry Draft directly from the Alberta Junior Hockey League and 20 AJHL Alumni have went on to win the coveted Stanley Cup. Brooks Bandits defenceman Cale Makar made history as the highest drafted AJHL Player when the Colorado Avalanche selected him 4th overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.  Joe Colborne of the Camrose Kodiaks previously held the record when the Boston Bruins selected him 16th overall in 2008.