Nico Daws Selected for 2020 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League is pleased to announce that the Canadian Hockey League, in association with National Hockey League Central Scouting, has selected 17 OHL players to compete in the 2020 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.
The 25th annual showcase of top CHL players eligible for the NHL Draft takes place on Thursday January 16, 2020, and is hosted by the Hamilton Bulldogs. The 17 OHL players selected were chosen by NHL clubs to compete in the annual showcase that features talent from across the Canadian Hockey League.
“All 31 NHL clubs have a say in the player selection process and take great interest in this best-on-best showcase,” said Dan Marr, Director of NHL Central Scouting. “The Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is a great opportunity for scouts and general managers to evaluate talent and we look forward to seeing which players will make their mark in Hamilton.”
Among the players named to the preliminary roster are Canadian National Junior Team members such as reigning OHL and CHL Rookie of the Year Quinton Byfield of the Sudbury Wolves, Erie Otters defenceman Jamie Drysdale and goaltender Nico Daws of the Guelph Storm. Saginaw Spirit forward Cole Perfetti also attended Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp.
Thirteen of the OHL’s 20 member teams are represented with the Ottawa 67’s, Soo Greyhounds, Sudbury Wolves and Windsor Spitfires leading the way with two players each.
Nine of the OHL players selected received ‘A’ ratings as first round candidates determined by NHL Central Scouting in their November Players to Watch list including eight forwards and one defenceman. Seven players were given ‘B’ ratings including four forwards and three defencemen while goaltender Nico Daws was assigned a ‘C’ rating.
OHL Players Named to 2020 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game:
*denotes ‘A’ rated first round candidates
Goaltenders:
Nico Daws (Guelph Storm)
Defencemen:
Jamie Drysdale (Erie Otters)*
Ryan O’Rourke (Soo Greyhounds)
Donovan Sebrango (Kitchener Rangers)
Jack Thompson (Sudbury Wolves)
Forwards:
Quinton Byfield (Sudbury Wolves)*
Brandon Coe (North Bay Battalion)
Will Cuylle (Windsor Spitfires)*
Tyson Foerster (Barrie Colts)
Jean-Luc Foudy (Windsor Spitfires)*
Cole Perfetti (Saginaw Spirit)*
Jacob Perreault (Sarnia Sting)*
Jaromir Pytlik (Soo Greyhounds)
Jack Quinn (Ottawa 67’s)*
Marco Rossi (Ottawa 67’s)*
Antonio Stranges (London Knights)*
Oliver Suni (Oshawa Generals)
The 40 CHL players selected will be divided into teams by NHL Central Scouting and announced along with coaching staffs in January.
12 CHL players from last year’s game in Red Deer were chosen in the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft led by Saskatoon Blades forward Kirby Dach picked third overall and currently competing as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks. In 24 years, a total of 329 CHL players from this event have been chosen by NHL clubs in the first round of the NHL Draft representing close to 45% of all players selected. Since the event was first introduced in 1996 the game has featured 14 players selected with the first overall pick in the NHL Draft including Nico Hischier (2017), Connor McDavid (2015), Aaron Ekblad (2014), Nathan MacKinnon (2013), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (2011), Taylor Hall (2010), John Tavares (2009), Steven Stamkos (2008), Patrick Kane (2007), Marc-Andre Fleury (2003), Rick Nash (2002), Vincent Lecavalier (1998), Joe Thornton (1997), and Chris Phillips (1996).
The 2020 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is proudly supported by new title partner Kubota Canada, and CHL associate partners CIBC, Kia Canada, and Cooper Tires. The game will be broadcast live across Canada on Sportsnet and TVA Sports, and in the United States on NHL Network.
Tickets are on sale for the 2020 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game at ticketmaster.ca or call 855-985-4357. For group and promotional inquiries, please contact the Hamilton Bulldogs at 905-529-8500.
For more information please visit http://kubotatopprospects.ca.
