Nine BCHL players are on the National Hockey League radar, identified in the final rankings of draft-eligible prospects.
The NHL’s Central Scouting Bureau released its last list Tuesday, with West Kelowna Warrior Jason Cotton leading the BCHL contingent.
The six-foot-two and 180 pound Texas native sniped 23 goals and 59 points in 50 games this season and checks in at No. 162 among North American prospects.
As a rough guide, the North American list would be combined with the Euro list, leaving Cotton and the rest of the BCHL prospects in the no-sure-bet-to-be- drafted category.
Vernon Vipers blueliner Dylan Chanter is next at No. 164, despite a stunted regular season that saw him play just 19 games.
He had zero points, but has picked it up in the playoffs, netting three goals and six points in 15 games.
Other BCHL skaters drawing notice include Salmon Arm’s Evan Anderson (No. 179), Penticton’s Jack Ramsey (No. 181), Merritt’s Jeff Wight (No. 189), Penticton’s Brett Beauvais (No. 190) and Powell River’s Luke Ripley (listed but unranked).
No junior A league had more players ranked than the BCHL. The top ranked junior A skater in the country plays in the Ontario Junior Hockey League. Defenceman Jake Walman plays for the Toronto Jr. Canadiens, and had seven goals and 33 points in 43 games.
He’s ranked No. 47, which projects him to the third or fourth round.
The BCHL also has two goaltenders on the radar.
Victoria Grizzly Alec Dillon is the 13th ranked North American netminder while Powell River’s Jeffrey Smith checks in at No. 19.