In too many NHL draft rankings lately, there is seemingly an over-emphasis on statistics while not enough focus on strength of competition. While it’s great to see New England prep school players recognized and honored by NHL Central Scouting and other independent scouting services, let’s keep in mind just how difficult it is to actually...
In too many NHL draft rankings lately, there is seemingly an over-emphasis on statistics while not enough focus on strength of competition.
While it’s great to see New England prep school players recognized and honored by NHL Central Scouting and other independent scouting services, let’s keep in mind just how difficult it is to actually be selected.
It’s also imperative to remember that many prospects who left prep hockey for the USHL or USA Hockey’s NTDP are facing much stiffer competition. Therefore, those players likely aren’t putting up the same numbers they would have had they stayed in prep.
NHL Central Scouting lists 222 North American skaters and 31 North American goaltenders. In addition, 140 Europeans skaters and goaltenders are ranked. There were just 217 players drafted in the 2017 NHL Draft. In other words, many players ranked will go undrafted. In fact, at least 171 players listed in the Mid-Term Rankings will not be selected. That number could be higher if NHL organizations go off the board with any pick.
Here’s another reality check. So far in 2017-18, 15 players drafted directly out of New England prep school hockey have played in the NHL. This isn’t counting undrafted free agents or players who moved on to junior or college before hearing their names called at the draft.
Of those 15 players, 13 players averaged over a point per game in their draft year. The only two who didn’t were defensemen. Six of the eleven forwards averaged over two points per game during their draft year. Only one of the 15 players averaged less than a point per game in his final season of prep hockey.
In conclusion, the recognition is great, but expectations should be tempered. Players who’ve left prep to play with the NTDP or in the USHL shouldn’t be downgraded because their stats aren’t as high as some of their former peers in prep school.
There could be more, but as of now, the only three prep players I’d stake my reputation to if I was scouting for an NHL team would be Thayer center Jay O’Brien, Kimball Union defenseman Jordan Harris and Salisbury defenseman Peter Diliberatore.
That doesn’t mean the other 12 players don’t have upside or aren’t good prep players, but it’s not easy to make the NHL.
