National Hockey League Central Scouting has released its final rankings ahead of this summer’s draft, and no fewer than five expected Moose Jaw Warriors for the 2021-2022 campaign have made the cut.
Current Warriors Ryder Korczak, Eric Alarie, Cole Jordan, & Max Wanner, along w/ 2020 import draft pick Martin Rysavy have made @NHLCentralScout Final Rankings
FULL LIST: https://t.co/7wfrFhi0sb
?: @keithhershphoto pic.twitter.com/SdzO7UREON
— Moose Jaw Warriors (@MJWARRIORS) May 27, 2021
A-listed forward Ryder Korczak leads the group at No. 34 among North American skaters, while former ‘C’-lister Eric Alarie has parlayed his excellent Subway WHL Hub into a strong move all the way up to No. 51.
“Ryder had a wild ride through this Hub,” O’Leary said at the year-end press conference.
“I always talk about his drive, his love, and passion for the game, and I think we saw that with how fast he was able to come back from the injury when a lot of guys would not have. That right there helps him immensely.”
Defenceman Cole Jordan, who might have been considered a fringe prospect before the last season started, has impressed his way up to No. 88, while rookie blueliner Max Wanner, fresh out of the Warriors U18s, blew expectations away at the Hub and has appeared on the list at No. 223.
“Jordan was an unknown to a lot of people,” O’Leary added.
“(Scouts) were poking around about him earlier in the year, but I think he has done himself a service as well with his skating, and his game really took a step too. Lots of people have been asking about him, (so in terms of the draft stocks of those three guys) I think the year has been a real success as well.”
? WHL Highlight of the Night ?
March 18, 2021#NHLDraft prospect Cole Jordan of the @MJWARRIORS forces the turnover & takes it home himself!#WHLHoN pic.twitter.com/zc1R0X8CFk— The WHL (@TheWHL) March 19, 2021
Martin Rysavy, the big Czech forward who impressed with three points in five games for his country at the recent IIHF Under-18 World Championship, was a 2020 CHL Import Draft pick by the Warriors, and was ranked at No. 89 among a loaded group of European skaters.
“Martin goes to the net and doesn’t mind staying there,” O’Leary said of Rysavy.
“He has a good shot, but really takes pride in being around the blue paint. He has some touch when he gets there too.”
Corson Ceulemans, whom the Warriors took in the 2018 WHL Draft but is committed to the University of Wisconsin for 21-22, was slotted in at No. 14.
