NHL Draft Preview: A handful of Winterhawks hopeful to be selected
Portland, Ore – The Bell Centre in Montreal is set to welcome hundreds of hockey’s top prospects, general managers, scouts, media and more during the 2022 NHL Draft this Thursday and Friday. The draft is one of hockey’s biggest summer events, with 225 prospects between the ages of 17 and 20 slated to be selected by 32 NHL clubs.
The Winterhawks currently lead the Western Hockey League with 145 players drafted in the NHL, and look forward to that number increasing this week.
NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING RANKINGS
Four Winterhawks who played in Portland during the 2021-22 season were recognized by NHL Central Scouting this season.
- James Stefan finished the year as the highest-ranked Winterhawk, securing the 157th spot on the list. The second-year draft-eligible winger set a new career-high with 34 goals to lead the Winterhawks, a mark which ranked well among the WHL’s best. (Click to watch his scouting report)
- Marek Alscher finished the year ranked 177th by NHL Central Scouting after an impressive rookie campaign in North America. The Czech defenseman could become the first European Winterhawks defenseman drafted in the NHL since Henri Jokiharju went in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft. (Click to watch his scouting report)
- Marcus Nguyen surged offensively in the second half of the season and finished first among Portland rookies with 22 goals and 40 points. Once named on Central Scouting’s ‘Players to Watch’ List, Nguyen will indeed be one to watch on Friday. (Click to watch his scouting report)
- Ryder Thompson also caught the attention of Central Scouting on their early-season ‘Players to Watch’ List. Strong in the defensive zone, the Manitoba native boasts a strong pedigree heading into Draft weekend. (Click to watch his scouting report)
Other Winterhawks like Kyle Chyzowski, Gabe Klassen and Josh Mori were also recognized by independent scouting services rankings as prospects who have a chance of being selected. With so many Winterhawks on the radar, Portland could see three or more players selected for the third consecutive draft.
Even though he has yet to play a game in Portland, Winterhawks 2022 CHL Import Draft selection Jan Špunar was also listed by Central Scouting as the third-best European goaltender available at this week’s draft.
Additionally, five unsigned Portland prospects were recognized on Central Scouting’s final rankings. Minnesota-born forward Jimmy Snuggerud, ranked 11th among North American skaters, headlines the list as a potential first-round selection.
HOW TO WATCH
The first round is scheduled for Thursday, July 7 at 4:00 p.m. PT and fans can watch live on ESPN or Sportsnet, or stream it live on ESPN+.
Rounds 2-7 will be held on Friday, July 8 beginning at 8:00 a.m. PT on NHL Network and Sportsnet and US-based fans can once again stream draft coverage on ESPN+.
NHL DRAFT NOTABLES
- Twenty-six Winterhawks have been selected over the last ten NHL Drafts, including five first-round picks headlined by fourth overall selection Seth Jones in the 2013 draft.
- At least one Winterhawk has been selected in 42 of the last 45 NHL drafts.
- The Chicago Blackhawks have drafted the most Winterhawks all time with 12, while the Los Angeles Kings and Seattle Kraken are the only two NHL clubs to have never drafted a Winterhawk.
- Click to see complete Winterhawks NHL Draft history
