The NHL Central Scouting Service released its preliminary rankings for next year’s NHL draft, and three Everett players were among the 46 WHLers mentioned.
Rookie Swiss defenseman Mirco Mueller received top billing among the Tips, being listed among the B skaters. That puts Mueller among the top 15 skaters from the WHL at this point. Winger Trent Lofthouse was listed among the C skaters, while goaltender Austin Lotz was listed among the B goaltenders.
Interesting to see Lofthouse listed as he had just two goals and three assists in 58 games last season. Someone must have been watching during the preseason, when he looked like a different player. I also figure the Tips will have at least one or two more players eventually catch CSS’s eye. In Austin Adam and Ben Betker the Tips have two 6-foot-5 defensemen with some mobility, and the NHL loves it’s big guys. And while I realize center Kohl Bauml may be considered too small in NHL circles, it would be nice to see him at least acknowledged for how effective a player he is at 5-foot-8.
The most players Everett has ever had selected in the NHL draft in a given year is four in 2006. I think the Tips could match that in 2013.
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