NHL Central Scouting Names Three Americans to Mid-Season Rankings
KENNEWICK, WA –NHL Central Scouting released their mid-season rankings for the 2023 NHL Draft today, and three Americans players are on the list.
Defenseman Lukas Dragicevic is 12th amongst North American skaters, goaltender Tomas Suchanek was ranked 8th amongst North American goalies and forward Jake Sloan is 203rd amongst North American skaters.
Dragicevic, from Richmond, B.C., was drafted fourth overall by the Americans in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft. After a strong rookie season that saw him record 32 points (6-26-32) in 62 games, Dragicevic’s offense exploded in his sophomore season.
Through 36 games this year Dragicevic has already racked up 46 points (9-37-46) which leads all WHL defensemen. It also leads all draft-eligible defensemen across the entire Canadian Hockey League.
Dragicevic recently set a new Americans franchise record by recording a 27-game point streak which ran from October 14 through December 30. He scored 37 points during the streak with seven goals and 30 assists.
Suchanek, from Prerov, Czechia, is also in his second year with the Americans after being drafted ninth overall in the 2020 CHL Import Draft.
Joining Tri-City for the 2021-22 season, Suchanek posted a 12-24-4-0 record with a 3.87 goals against average, .901 save percentage and one shutout. He also represented Czechia at the 2022 World Juniors in August, going 1-4 with an .899 save percentage and 3.55 goals against average.
Through 23 games this season, Suchanek has already recorded more wins than all of last year, currently sitting with a 13-9 record, .901 save percentage and a 3.61 goals against average.
Suchanek firmly put himself on the map during the recent 2023 World Junior Championship (WJC), backstopping Czechia all the way to the gold medal game where they ultimately fell to Team Canada in overtime.
The silver medal was the first medal for Czechia at the World Juniors since 2005. Suchanek went 5-2 at the event with a miniscule 1.52 goals against average and a .934 save percentage, both of which led the tournament.
Suchanek was named to the WJC All-Star Team as well as one of Czechia’s top-three players at the event.
Sloan, from Leduc, Alta., is in his third season in Tri-City after being drafted 55th overall in the 2019 WHL Prospects Draft.
After scoring nine points (4-5-9) in 18 games during the shortened 20-21 season, Sloan then recorded 33 points (17-16-33) in 57 games in 2021-22.
This season the six-foot-four Sloan has already set a new career high in points with 37 (15-22-37) in just 33 games.
The 2023 NHL Draft is scheduled for June 28 and 29 in Nashville, Tenn.
The Americans next home game is January 18 against the Victoria Royals. Click here to save on tickets with a Flex Pack.
