NHL central scouting tabs two Troops
BRAMPTON, Ont. – Rookies Nick Paul and Mark Raycroft of the Brampton Battalion have been rated by the National Hockey League’s central scouting department in midseason rankings for the 2013 NHL Draft released Tuesday.
Left winger Paul is ranked 102nd among North American-based skaters, while defenceman Raycroft is 147th.
“I’m happy for both guys,” said coach Stan Butler. “They have to realize now that central scouting doesn’t do the drafting, but they’ve done the work to get on their radar. Now it’s up to themselves how far they’ll get.”
Paul, chosen in the fifth round of the 2012 OHL Priority Selection, has scored 11 goals and earned 11 assists for 22 points in 43 games. He has played important minutes, including skating with centre Jamie Lewis and right winger Barclay Goodrow for much of the season and getting power-play time.
“He’s a big, strong power forward,” said Butler. “I think he’ll go higher than where they have him listed when it’s all said and done.”
Said Paul, who turns 18 on March 20: “It’s great to be recognized for my play. It’s big for my confidence, but there’s still a lot of season left, so I just want to keep climbing. I can enjoy this for a minute, but I need to put it behind me quickly and get back to business.”
Overlooked in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection, Paul played midget with his hometown Mississauga Reps last season, scoring 32 goals and adding 24 assists for 56 points in 36 games and adding three goals and two assists for five points in nine junior A games with the Mississauga Chargers.
“It was a really big adjustment at first,” said Paul. “The game is faster at this level, so it forces your decision-making to be quicker. I’m just sticking to what I’ve been successful at and working hard.”
Raycroft, a sixth-round pick in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection who turns 18 on April 18, is the only rookie on the Battalion defence.
“It’s always great to be recognized, but my main focus is on the team and pushing for the playoffs,” said Raycroft. “I’ll use it for confidence in my game and keep trying to help the team win.
“It’s definitely been a learning experience for me. We have one of the best defensive groups in the league, so I knew coming in that I was going to be able to learn a lot from them. You can learn a lot from your coaches, but it goes a long way when you watch the older guys on the team doing things on the ice.”
The Woodstock, Ont., resident has six assists in 39 games and usually partners Brenden Miller, a more offensive-minded rearguard.
“I try to use my feet and be a heads-up player to my advantage,” said Paul. “I’m not a big guy who’s going to bowl opponents over, so I play to my strengths.”
Defenceman Seth Jones of the Western Hockey League’s Portland Winterhawks is ranked No. 1 among North American skaters, while centre Sean Monahan of the Ottawa 67’s is the top-rated OHLer at No. 4.
NHL central scouting produced rankings of 210 skaters from North America and 116 from Europe, also compiling two goaltender lists. Players are first-time eligible for the NHL Draft in the year they turn 18, unless they were born Sept. 16 or later, in which case they must wait a year.
The 2013 NHL Draft is scheduled June 30 at Newark, N.J.
