Makar Moves Up to Potential First Round Selection

CALGARY, Alta.  – The latest National Hockey League Central Scouting Players to Watch List has seen another increase among players from the Canadian Junior Hockey League being named on it.  There are a total of 20 players from within the CJHL on the NHLCS list, which is one more than the November update. 

Headlining the group of 20 from the CJHL is Brooks Bandits (AJHL) defenceman Cale Makar whose strong performance at the recently completed World Junior A Challenge has elevated him to an A rating, which indicates him as a potential first round selection for the 2017 NHL Draft in Chicago.

Another CJHL blueliner, who also moved up in the ratings to a B ranking, is Brockville Braves (CCHL) D-man Cameron Crotty, whose impressive efforts at the WJAC helped Canada East mine a silver medal.

Crotty joins defenceman Ian Mitchell of the Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL) on the B rating listing as a possible second or third round draft selection.

The remaining 17 CJHL players on the NHLCS December Watch List all earned a “C” rating, which has them as potential fourth through sixth round draft choices.

The following are the CJHL players on the latest NHL Central Scouting Watch List:
 

RATING

PLAYER

NAME

TEAM

LEAGUE

A

Cale

Makar

Brooks Bandits

AJHL

B

Cameron

Crotty

Brockville Braves

CCHL

B

Ian

Mitchell

Spruce Grove Saints

AJHL

C

Matthew

Barnaby

Pembroke Lumber Kings

CCHL

C

Guillaume

Beck

Cobras de Terrebonne

LHJQ

C

Joey

Berkopec

Burlington Cougars

OJHL

C

Josh

Cammalleri

Burlington Cougars

OJHL

C

Nick

Campoli

North York Rangers

OJHL

C

Bobby

Dow

Kemptville 73s

CCHL

C

Finn

Evans

St. Michaels Buzzers

OJHL

C

Matthieu

Franche

Smiths Falls Bears

CCHL

C

Aidan

Girduckis

Carleton Place Canadians

CCHL

C

Jarrod

Gourley

Spruce Grove Saints

AJHL

C

Kale

Howarth

Trail Smoke Eaters

BCHL

C

Logan

Johnston

Dieppe Commandos

MHL

C

Matthew

Kellenberger

Oakville Blades

OJHL

C

Phillip

Lagunov

Burlington Cougars

OJHL

C

Griffin

Mendel

Penticton Vees

BCHL

C

Bryce

Misley

Oakville Blades

OJHL

C

Ty

Taylor

Vernon Vipers

BCHL