NAHL numbers remain strong on NHL CSS November Watch list
November 25, 2015
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) is please to announce that 11 total players (10 current, 1 alumni), were recognized on the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Central Scouting’s Preliminary 2016 November Players to Watch list.
The list included 10 players that are currently playing in the NAHL this season. The only other non-major junior league in North America that had more players listed than the NAHL was the USHL.
It is the same number of players that was originally published back in late September when NHL Central Scouting released its original ‘Prospects to Watch’ list.
The lists, comprised of "A," "B" and "C" players for the upcoming season in each of the major junior hockey leagues, are sent to NHL team scouts for the purpose of tracking the top draft-eligible players entering the 2015-16 season. All "A" skaters have been identified as potential first-round picks, while "B" players are considered second- or third-round candidates. The players on the "C" list are thought to be fourth-, fifth- or sixth-round possibilities. That list includes the top 25 prospects for each of the various leagues throughout North America and Europe.
Current NAHL players on the list (alphabetical)
Croix Evingson, D, Kenai River Brown Bears
Erich Fear, D, Springfield Jr. Blues
Zakery Galambos, D, Johnstown Tomahawks
Mikael Hakkarainen, F, Brookings Blizzard
Brian Hurley, D, Minnesota Wilderness
Tyler Johnson, G, Topeka RoadRunners
Jack LaFontaine, G, Janesville Jets
Tommy Nappier, G, Springfield Jr. Blues
Rourke Russell, F, Wichita Falls Wildcats
Peter Thome, G, Aberdeen Wings
NAHL players now in another league
Konstantin Chernyuk, F, Wichita Falls Wildcats (2014-15)
All NAHL players listed in November’s list received a ‘C’ ranking.
NHL Central Scouting will release its midseason rankings of 2016 draft-eligibles in January, followed by its final rankings 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.
