Rockets Players on NHL Central Scouting Watch List
Nov. 15, 2013 – Kelowna, BC
Three Kelowna Rockets were listed in NHL Central Scouting’s latest Players to Watch list for the 2014 NHL Draft.
Forwards Tyson Baillie and Justin Kirkland as well as defenceman Riley Stadel were listed in the C category, projecting them as anywhere from a fourth to sixth round NHL draft pick.
Baillie leads the Rockets in scoring with 9-11-20 in 18 games while Stadel is tied for the Rockets lead in goals with nine. A rookie, Kirkland has 4-7-11 in 17 games this season.
Eight WHL players were listed in the ‘A’ Skaters category, which indicates they are a possible first-round pick for the 2014 NHL Draft. Kootenay forward Sam Reinhart, Portland’s Chase De Leo, Prince Albert’s Leon Draisaitl, Red Deer’s Haydn Fleury and Swift Current Broncos defenders Julius Honka and Brycen Martin have been joined by fast-rising Saskatoon Blades forward Nikita Scherbak as WHL skaters rated in the ‘A’ category.
The WHL continues to be a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League. 20% of all players who played in the NHL during the 2012-13 season are WHL Graduates. 33 WHL Players were selected by NHL Clubs at the 2013 NHL Draft in New Jersey, including eight players chosen in the first round.
