National Hockey League Central Scouting announced Tuesday the Preliminary Players to Watch List for the 2021 NHL Draft.
Players on the list are rated on an A-to-C scale with A-rated prospects considered potential first-round picks. B-rated players are projected to be selected in the second or third round while C-rated prospects are projected to go in rounds 3-6.
Leading the way as an A-rated prospect is defenceman Corson Ceulemans of the Brooks Bandits. Brett Moravec of the Calgary Canucks and Sherwood Park’s Ty Mueller are C-rated.
- Ceulemans, Corson – Brooks Bandits (Wisconsin 2022)
- Moravec, Brett – Calgary Canucks (Wisconsin 2022)
- Mueller, Ty – Sherwood Park Crusaders (Nebraska-Omaha 2022)
The list is a compilation of top prospects from all the major development leagues throughout North America and Europe. It will be updated throughout the season as scouts evaluate the players leading up to the 2021 NHL Draft.
In total, 16 skaters who spent the 2019-20 campaign competing in the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) cracked the list. Topping the CJHL contingent as potential A prospects are defencemen Corson Ceulemans (AJHL) and centre Kent Johnson (BCHL).
Ninety-Three players have been selected directly from the Alberta Junior Hockey League in the NHL Entry Draft and 21 AJHL Alumni have went on to win the 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.