NHL Central Scouting (NHLCS) today identified eight Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) players in the midterm rankings for the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
The mid-season rankings feature the top 224 skaters and 32 goaltenders in North America as well as the top 130 skaters and 12 goaltenders internationally.
Brooks Bandits forward Aiden Fink was the top ranked AJHL player at #66 among North American skaters and is joined by three Bandit teammates on the list.
- # 66 Aiden Fink, RW, Brooks Bandits
- #78 Hudson Malinoski, C, Brooks Bandits
- #142 Aiden Celebrini, D, Brooks Bandits
- #142 Morgan Brady, D, Spruce Grove Saints
- #193 Nicholas Wolfenberg, D, Okotoks Oilers
- #198 Cade Christenson, D, Sherwood Park Crusaders
- #222 Ty Daneault, RW, Drumheller Dragons
- #224 Sam Court, D, Brooks Bandits
A total of 14 Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) players earned a spot in today’s rankings with Fink leading the way.
There are currently 21 AJHL alumni on 2022-23 NHL team rosters. Cale Makar of the Brooks Bandits is the highest-ever drafted player from the Alberta Junior Hockey League, chosen fourth overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft. A total of 98 players have been drafted directly from the Alberta Junior Hockey League since 1980.
The 2023 NHL Draft is scheduled from June 28-29 and will be hosted by the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.