36 QMJHL Players Listed in 2018 NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings

Boucherville, Que. – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that 140 CHL players appear in NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings for the 2018 NHL Draft which takes place June 22-23 in Dallas, TX.

The domestic rankings list a total of 217 North American skaters including 126 from the CHL, also listing an additional 31 North American goaltenders including 14 that currently compete in the CHL.

QMJHL forward Filip Zadina of the Halifax Mooseheads occupies the number two spot on the list of North American skaters, leading a group of 6 QMJHL players ranked as first round candidates.

QMJHL talent also included in the Top-20 includes Acadie-Bathurst Titan defenceman Noah Dobson at 8^th, Halifax Mooseheads defenceman Jared McIsaac at 12^th, Drummondville Voltigeurs forward Joseph Veleno at 13^th and Halifax Mooseheads centreman Benoit-Olivier Groulx at 18^th.

In the crease, Alexis Gravel of the Halifax Mooseheads is the number one ranked goaltender in North America. He’s followed by Drummondville Voltigeurs netminder Olivier Rodrigue at number two and by Cape Breton Screaming Eagles’ Kevin Mandolese who is ranked 4^th. Samuel Harvey of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies is ranked 10^th and is followed by four more QMJHL that rank inside the Top-25.

The Ontario Hockey League leads the way with 61 players in the rankings including 58 skaters and three goaltenders followed by 43 players from the Western Hockey League including 40 skaters and three goaltenders. The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League rounds out the CHL contingent with 36 players ranked, including 28 skaters and eight goaltenders.

The Drummondville Voltigeurs lead all QMJHL teams with seven players included in the rankings, while the Halifax Mooseheads trail with four players – all first-round projections. QMJHL teams with three ranked players include the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, the Baie-Comeau Drakkar and the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

It’s 16 of the ranked QMJHL players that will be competing in the 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game on Thursday January 25 in Guelph, Ont., including three of the top 5 goaltenders and six of the top 35 skaters.

QMJHL North American Skaters:

Players in bold will compete in 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game

North American rank, name, birthdate, CHL club, position

For more on the NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings, visit nhl.com.