The road to the 2013 NHL Draft began Wednesday with the release of NHL Central Scouting's preliminary list of players to watch in North America and Europe.
The lists, comprised of “A,” “B” and “C” players for the upcoming season in each of the major junior hockey leagues, are sent to NHL team scouts for the purpose of tracking the top draft-eligible players entering the 2012-13 season.
All “A” skaters have been identified as potential first-round picks, while “B” players are considered second- or third-round candidates. The players on the “C” list are thought to be fourth-, fifth- or sixth-round possibilities.
The 16 CJHL players idenitified and their respective teams are listed below:
ALBERTA JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
– Marshall Donald, Sherwood Park
– Nelson Gadoury, Camrose
BRITISH COLUMBIA HOCKEY LEAGUE
– Nolan De Jong, Victoria
– Adam Tambellini, Vernon
– Dexter Dancs, Penticton
– Dante Hahn, Victoria
– Bo Pellah, Langley
– Luke Ripley, Powell River
CENTRAL CANADA HOCKEY LEAGUE
– Blaine Byron, Kemptville
– Christian Weidauer, Carleton Place
MANITOBA JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
– Paul Stoykewych, Winnipeg Blues
– Kurt Keats, Winnipeg Blues
MARITIME JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
– Anderson Snair, Metro
ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
– Matt Buckles, St. Michaels
– Bryson Cianfrone, Toronto JC
– Chad Duchesne, Kingston
Central Scouting's preliminary rankings will be revealed in November. That list includes the top 25 prospects for each of the various leagues throughout North America and Europe.