NAHL players listed in NHL Central Scouting mid-term rankings

January 18, 2017

In its continuing trend of upward development of NCAA and NHL prospects, the North American Hockey League (NAHL) is pleased to announce the several players have been recognized on the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Central Scouting’s 2017 Mid-Term Rankings, which were released on January 18th on nhl.com.

 

The list includes four players that have played in the NAHL during the 2016-17 season.

 

 

The only other non-major junior league in the United States that had more players listed than the NAHL was the USHL. A total of 54 NHL scouts, including those from NHL Central Scouting, were on hand at the NAHL back in September scouting players at the NAHL Showcase and have continued that scouting during the regular season at NAHL arenas.

 

The next big event for NHL scouts to see the NAHL’s talent on display is the 2017 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament, which will be held in Plymouth, Michigan from February 27-28, 2017. 

 

The NAHL Top Prospects Tournament is one of the most highly-scouted events of its kind.  Last season, over 220 scouts attended the event, which featured almost every NHL team and NCAA Division I school. The event continues to provide the hundreds of NHL and NCAA scouts in attendance with a look at the best uncommitted players the NAHL has to offer, as well as, some potential NHL Draft picks. The addition of the NTDP takes the competition and exposure to the next level and provides all of the participating players with a great opportunity to showcase their skills.

 

Hunter Lellig, D, Minnesota Magicians – Lellig, a University of Minnesota Duluth commit, is in his first season playing for the Magicians. The 6’1/190 lbs, 17-year-old native of Waterloo, Iowa, has recorded 12 points in 31 regular season games with the Magicians this season.

 

Benton Maass, D, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Maass, 18, has played in 18 games for the Ice Dogs during the regular season and recorded 8 points in that time frame. The 6’2/190 lbs. native of Elk River, Minnesota played from the start of the season until mid-November. After that he joined his high school team in Minnesota and will return back to Fairbanks next month.

 

Ivan Prosvetov, G, Minnesota Magicians – Since joining the Magicians in early October, Prosvetov, 17, has been very good in goal. The 6’4/185 lbs. native of Moscow, Russia is currently 3rd in the NAHL with a 93.3% save percentage. He ranks in the Top 7 in the NAHL in goals against average (2.31), games played (24) and shots faced (788).

 

Tomas Vomacka, G, Corpus Christi IceRays – Vomacka (6’3/172) is playing his best hockey of the season for the IceRays, having won five of his last six outings. The 17-year-old native of Trutnov, Czech Republic, has a 10-10-0 record this season with a 2.57 goals against average and a 91.6% save percentage.

 

NHL Central Scouting will release its final rankings of 2017 draft-eligibles in April. The Chicago Blackhawks will host the 2017 NHL Draft at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Next year's Draft will be held over two days on June 23-24. 

 

A total of 10 players have been selected right after playing in the NAHL in the past two NHL Drafts in 2015 and 2016.