Chilliwack Bruins forward Kevin Sundher has leapt 25 spaces in the latest Central Scouting Bureau rankings, an indication of increasing respect given to him by National Hockey League talent evaluators.
The Surrey native slotted in at No. 67 in the final CSB ranking of North American skaters. He was ranked 92nd overall in the mid-term rankings, but improved his stock dramatically with a solid playoff performance.
He was arguably Chilliwack’s best skater in a six-game first-round loss to the favoured Tri-City Americans.
He had three goals and five points in those six games, his first taste of the Western Hockey League post-season.
In the 2009-10 regular season, Sundher set career highs in goals, 25, and points, 61, while suiting up for all 72 regular season games.
Sundher has proven to be a durable player, missing only five games over his first two seasons.
He missed those five games while participating in the 2008 World U-17 Hockey Challenge in Port Alberni.
One of Sundher’s linemates also made a strong leap in the final rankings.
Seventeen-year-old Langley native Dylen McKinlay was rated 156th overall in the mid-term rankings, but shot up to 126th.
McKinlay had 20 goals and 42 points in 72 games during the regular season. Like Sundher, he had a strong post-season with two goals and five points in six games.
One Bruin did not fare so well in the final CSB assessment.
Defenceman Tyler Stahl missed several games down the stretch with a concussion, and dropped 20 spots from 96th down to 116th.
The NHL entry draft will be held June 25-26 in Los Angeles.