The North American Hockey League (NAHL) is pleased to announce that 11 players (8 current, 3 alumni) were recognized on the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Central Scouting’s 2016 Final Rankings, which were released on April 12th on nhl.com by NHL Central Scouting.
The list included eight players that are currently playing in the NAHL this season and three former players that are in another league, but played in the NAHL during last season (2014-15).
Founded by hockey executive Jack Button in 1975, NHL Central Scouting Services is a department within the National Hockey League that ranks prospects for the NHL Entry Draft at specific times during the season. Players are ranked based on how well they will translate to the professional game in the NHL.
The Buffalo Sabres will host the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York. Next year’s Draft will be held over two days on June 24-25.
A total of seven players with NAHL ties were selected in last year’s 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
Current NAHL players on the list (alphabetical)
Todd Burgess, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – #185 among North American skaters
Erich Fear, D, Springfield Jr. Blues – #157 among North American skaters
Mikael Hakkarainen, F, Brookings Blizzard – #194 among North American skaters
Tyler Johnson, G, Topeka RoadRunners – #18 among North American goalies
Jack LaFontaine, G, Janesville Jets – #13 among North American goalies
Tommy Nappier, G, Springfield Jr. Blues – #33 among North American goalies
Rourke Russell, D, Wichita Falls Wildcats – #200 among North American skaters
Peter Thome, G, Aberdeen Wings – #31 among North American goalies
NAHL Alumni
Konstantin Chernyuk, F, Wichita Falls Wildcats (2014-15) – #211 among North American skaters
Matt Jurusik, G, Janesville Jets (2014-15) – #17 among North American goalies
Kevin Klima, F, Springfield Jr. Blues (2014-15) – #210 among North American skaters
