Three AJHL Players have been identified on the latest NHL Central Scouting Players to Watch List for the 2018 NHL Draft on June 22nd & 23rd in Dallas, Texas. The revised list serves as an update to the preliminary watch list that was released October 3rd and which was based on last season's reports.
The following AJHL defencemen received a 'C' rating in the rankings, which projects them as a 4th/5th/6th round candidate:
- Daniel Hilsendager (Lloydminster, SK), Lloydminster Bobcats
- Jacob Bernard-Docker (Canmore, AB), Okotoks Oilers
- Sean Comrie (Edmonton, AB), Spruce Grove Saints
“At this point, our scouts have had a chance to view all the players in their respective areas and we have updated the players to watch based on our current grading,” said Dan Marr, the director of NHL Central Scouting.
A total of 18 current Canadian Junior Hockey League players have been named to the updated Players to Watch List, this is an increase of three from the CJHL that were on the initial list. The majority of these players could see themselves selected to compete in the upcoming CJHL Prospects Game on January 23rd, 2018, in Port Credit, Ontario.
The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club selected defenceman Cale Makar with the fourth overall pick in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft in Chicago. Makar, 18, is the highest-ever draft pick from the Alberta Junior Hockey League, surpassing current Avalanche forward Joe Colborne (Camrose Kodiaks), who was selected by the Boston Bruins with the 16th overall pick in 2008.