Pats Players Ready for NHL Draft
Regina, Saskatchewan – The Regina Pats roster features six players ranked by Central Scouting ahead of this weekend’s NHL Entry Draft in Sunrise, Florida. Austin Wagner, Connor Hobbs, Jesse Gabrielle, Sergey Zborovskiy, Adam Brooks and Adam Berg all sit within the CSS top 210 among North American Skaters.
Austin Wagner is the Pats’ highest ranked player at 35th among North American skaters. Wagner found his scoring touch this season, picking up 39 points (20G, 19A) in 61 games. The speedster became one of the WHL’s top shorthanded threats with eight shorthanded points (5G, 3A). In the playoffs, Wagner registered 3 points (1G, 2A) in nine games.
Connor Hobbs finished the year 72nd on the North American list despite only playing 45 games in the WHL this season. Hobbs totaled 18 points (2G, 16A) with 16 of those coming in his final 24 games. The defender also tallied two goals in nine playoff games. The Saskatoon, SK product dressed for Team Canada’s U18 squad at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and Team Canada West at the World Junior-A Challenge.
Jesse Gabrielle is right on Hobbs’ heels at 73rd in the rankings. The forward joined the Pats just ahead of the 2015 WHL Trade Deadline from the Brandon Wheat Kings. Gabrielle tallied 44 points (23G, 21A) in 66 games this season. Gabrielle also finished second on the Pats with 112 penalty minutes. The Moosomin, SK also added four points (1G, 3A) in nine playoff contests.
Sergey Zborovskiy leapt up the rankings late in the season, moving all the way to 103 in the final rankings from 197 at the mid-term. Zborovskiy put up 19 points (3G, 16A) and a +15 plus/minus rating while playing in 71 games this season, missing just the final game of the year. He led the Pats in the playoffs with a +5 plus/minus rating.
Adam Brooks sits 176th among North American skaters. The 19-year old is in his second year of draft eligibility. Brooks enjoyed a break out season leading the Pats in goals (30) and points (62). Brooks finished ahead of teammate Austin Wagner leading the WHL with nine shorthanded points (4G, 5A). He posted 7 points (4G, 3A) in nine playoff games.
Recent call-up Adam Berg rounds out the list at 200th. Berg played most of his season with the Calgary Mustangs in the AJHL, finishing with 36 points (16G, 20A) in 49 games. Berg played in 12 regular season games with the Pats, picking up three points (1G, 2A). He had three assists in nine playoff games.
The Pats media department is at the draft in Florida to provide comprehensive coverage of the weekend. Follow updates on Twitter, Facebook and ReginaPats.com.
Named for the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, the Western Hockey League’s Regina Pats are the oldest major junior hockey franchise in the world operating from its original location. Since their founding in 1917, the Pats have won three Memorial Cup championships and compete in the WHL’s Eastern Division. To learn more about the Pats, call 306-337-1535 or visit www.reginapats.com.
