Three Kamloops Blazers have been listed on NHL’s Central Scouting ‘players to watch’ list.
Forward Connor Levis and defenceman Kaden Hammell have both been given a B-rating, meaning they could be second-or-third-round picks at next summer’s NHL draft.
In 10 games this season, Levis has put up 14 points (four goals and 10 assists), leaving him twelfth in the WHL scoring race.
Hammell has three points (two goals and an assist) in 10 games, and is second in team plus/minus at plus seven.
Blazers goaltender Dylan Ernst has been assigned a ‘C’ ranking, indicating a potential fourth, fifth, or sixth round pick.
In eight games this season, Ernst has a 4-3-1 record with a 0.902 save percentage and 3.27 goals against average.
Local player Tanner Molendyk, who is part of the Saskatoon Blades, was also given a ‘B’ rating, along with Blazers prospect Austin Burnevik, a forward.
Other Blazers prospects on the list include forwards Cameron Johnson and Cooper Conway along with goaltender Calvin Vachon – with all three getting a ‘C’ rating.
A total of seven WHL players have been given an A-rating, including Connor Bedard of the Regina Pats, who is projected to be the first pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.
Joining him are Winnipeg’s Zach Benson, Brandon’s Carson Bjarnason and Nate Danielson, Riley Heidt of Prince George, Vancouver’s Samuel Honzek, and Moose Jaw’s Brayden Yager.
The 2023 NHL draft is scheduled to be held on June 28 and 29 in Nashville.