Fifty-two players from the league are included in the updated N-H-L Central Scouting Players to Watch list, released Thursday.

Five W-H-L Draft-eligible prospects were given “A” ratings, meaning a possible first round selection next June in Montreal. Among those five are Saskatoon product and Kamloops forward Connor Zary, Prince Albert native and Brandon defenceman Braden Schneider plus Raiders’ blue-liner Kaiden Guhle. Four members of the Blades are “C” rated players, meaning possibly being chosen in rounds four through six, defencemen Aidan De La Gorgendiere and Radek Kucerik as well as forwards Kyle Crnkovic and Tristen Robins. Following is the news release from the W-H-L…

52 WHL PLAYERS NAMED TO UPDATED NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING ‘PLAYERS TO WATCH’ LIST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League is proud to announce 52 WHL players have been named to NHL Central Scouting’s updated ‘Players to Watch’ list for the 2020 NHL Draft. NHL Central Scouting identifies players with a rating system that includes four categories. The ‘A’ rating indicates a first-round candidate, a ‘B’ rating indicates a second- or third-round candidate, and a ‘C’ rating indicates a fourth-, fifth-, or sixth-round candidate. A ‘LV’ rating indicates Limited Viewing of injured players who have not had sufficient viewings to be categorized. Five WHL players were given ‘A’ ratings, including Prince Albert Raiders defenceman Kaiden Guhle, Moose Jaw Warriors defenceman Daemon Hunt, Brandon Wheat Kings defenceman Braden Schneider, Vancouver Giants forward Justin Sourdif, and Kamloops Blazers forward Connor Zary. Zary is currently tied for first in WHL scoring this season with 30 points (13G-17A). Eleven WHL players earned ‘B’ ratings, led by a trio of Portland Winterhawks in Cross Hanas, Seth Jarvis, and Simon Knak. Thirty-six more players earned ‘C’ ratings. The updated list features 28 forwards, 18 defencemen, and six goaltenders. Overall, 21 of 22 WHL member Clubs are represented on the list. The Portland Winterhawks and defending WHL Champion Prince Albert Raiders led the way with five players each on the list. The Brandon Wheat Kings and Saskatoon Blades follow closely behind with four players each on the updated list. Five WHL member Clubs feature a trio of players on the list. Seven more feature a pair of players and five are represented by a single player. The 2020 NHL Draft will take place at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Que. from June 26 to 27, 2020. 2020 NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING PRELIMINARY ‘PLAYERS TO WATCH’ – WHL PLAYERS Skaters

Goaltenders

Players have been identified using the following criteria:

• A Rating – Indicates a first round candidate
• B Rating – Indicates a second or third round candidate
• C Rating – Indicates a fourth/fifth/sixth round candidate

LV (Limited Viewing) – Injured players who have not had sufficient viewings to be categorized.