Nine players listed on NHL Central Scouting Mid-Term Rankings

January 20, 2016

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) is pleased to announce that nine players (6 current, 3 alumni) were recognized on the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Central Scouting’s 2016 Mid-Term Rankings, which were released on January 19th on nhl.com by NHL Central Scouting.

 

The list included six players that are currently playing in the NAHL this season and three former players that are in another league, but played in the NAHL during last season (2014-15).

 

 

Todd Burgess, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs - #203 among North American skaters

Mikael Hakkarainen, F, Brookings Blizzard - #178 among North American skaters

Tyler Johnson, G, Topeka RoadRunners - #16 among North American goalies

Jack LaFontaine, G, Janesville Jets - #10 among North American goalies

Tommy Nappier, G, Springfield Jr. Blues - #26 among North American goalies

Peter Thome, G, Aberdeen Wings - #19 among North American goalies

 

Konstantin Chernyuk, F, Wichita Falls Wildcats (2014-15) - #104 among North American skaters

Matt Jurusik, G, Janesville Jets (2014-15) - #15 among North American goalies

Kevin Klima, F, Springfield Jr. Blues (2014-15) - #196 among North American skaters

 

Fairbanks forward Todd Burgess is a new addition to the Central Scouting list and is listed at #203 among North American skaters. The 19-year-old RPI commit from Phoenix, Arizona, is current leading the NAHL in scoring with 58 points in 36 games played, which includes 36 assists, also a league-high.

 

Brookings forward Mikael Hakkarainen, 17, is listed at #178 among North American skaters. The rookie from Espoo, Finland, committed to Providence College earlier in the season and he leads the Blizzard in scoring so far this year with 31 points in 36 games played.

 

Topeka RoadRunners goalie Tyler Johnson, 17, is ranked 16th among all North American goalies. The native of Amherst, New York, has had a very solid rookie campaign to date with a 15-8-0 record, a 2.33 goals against average and a 91% save percentage. He also committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at the University of Maine earlier this season.

 

This season marks the third straight in which a Janesville goalie has been recognized in the rankings by NHL Central Scouting. University of Michigan recruit Jack LaFontaine, 18, has been one of the top goalies in the NAHL all season long. The native of Mississauga, Ontario had a great start to the season, being named the NAHL Goalie of the Month in September and is the highest ranked goalie on the list at #10.

 

Springfield Jr. Blues goalie Tommy Nappier, 17, has been one of the nice pleasant surprises in the NAHL this season. The native of St. Louis, Missouri, ranks tied for 2nd in the NAHL with a 92.9% save percentage and is 3rd in both saves and shots faced. Earlier this season, Nappier committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at Ohio State University. Nappier is ranked as #26 among North American goalies.

 

Aberdeen Wings goalie Peter Thome, 18, has been a bright spot for a Wings team that struggled the first half of the season. The native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, is ranked tied for 5th in the NAHL in save percentage (92.6%) and ranks 2nd in both saves and shots faced. Earlier this season, he committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at the University of North Dakota. Thome is ranked #19 among North American goalies.

 

NHL Central Scouting will release its final rankings of 2016 draft-eligibles in April. The Buffalo Sabres will host the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York. Next year's Draft will be held over two days on June 24-25. 

 

A total of seven players with NAHL ties were selected in this past summer’s 2015 NHL Entry Draft.