Daily Dose of the Dub: Final Central Scouting Rankings released, Maier named to U-18 team

Final NHL Central Scouting Rankings Released

The final NHL Central Scouting Rankings were released ahead of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft in June in Vancouver. The WHL contingent was led by Vancouver Giants defenseman Bowen Byram (ranked #2 among North American Skaters), Saskatoon Blades forward Kirby Dach, (ranked #3) and Lethbridge Hurricanes forward Dylan Cozens (ranked #4). Medicine Hat Tigers goalie Mads Søgaard was the highest-ranked WHL goaltender coming at #2 among North American goaltenders. In total, 50 players from the WHL cracked the final list.

Maier to join Team Canada at World-U18 Championship

Saskatoon Blades goaltender Nolan Maier will be joining Team Canada in Sweden for the U-18 World Championship following the Blades’ elimination from the WHL playoffs. Blades forward Kirby Dach was also invited to join Team Canada but will miss the tournament due to an injury sustained in the WHL playoffs, according to the Blades. Team Canada, led by Lethbridge’s Dylan Cozens and Winnipeg’s Peyton Krebs, went a perfect 2-0 in pre-tournament action. Canada will open the tournament on Thursday against Finland.

Weekly Awards

The WHL handed out their weekly awards for Player and Goaltender of the Week. Both winners are coming out of the Eastern Conference this week with Prince Albert’s Dante Hannoun (6 goals, 1 assist) taking home the Player of the Week honours while Edmonton Oil Kings goaltender Dylan Myskiw (2-0-0-0, 0.49 goals-against-average and .977 save percentage) took home the Goaltender of the Week honours.

Sutter heads to the pros

Everett Silvertips forward Riley Sutter will be joining the Hershey Bears of the AHL for their Calder Cup run. Sutter, 19, was a third-round selection of the Washington Capitals in last year’s NHL Entry Draft. In 204 WHL games, all with the Silvertips, Sutter has 137 points (60 goals, 77 assists).