Alberta Junior Hockey League forwards Rhett Gardner (Okotoks Oilers) and Tyler Busch (Spruce Grove Saints) have been identified on NHL Central Scouting's midterm rankings of the top North American players available for the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Gardner was ranked at #182 and Busch at #205 in the listing of North American Skaters.
Gardner and Busch are amongst five AJHL players named to the CJHL Prospects Game taking place today in Oakville, Ontario. Both players were also included in the ‘Players to Watch List’ released in November 2014.
AJHL alumnus Cameron Hughes (Spruce Grove Saints / University of Wisconsin) was also identified on today’s list at #183.
Spruce Grove Saints defenceman Brandon Hickey and Olds Grizzlys defenceman Nikolas Koberstein were drafted in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Hickey was selected in the 3rd Round (64th overall) by the Calgary Flames, and the Montreal Canadiens selected Koberstein in the 5th Round (125th overall). A total of 83 players have been drafted directly out of the Alberta Junior Hockey League in its 51 year history.
The 2015 NHL Entry Draft will be the 53rd NHL Entry Draft. The draft will be held on June 26–27, 2015 at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida.