Three members of the Brandon Wheat Kings were named on NHL Central Scouting’s preliminary players to watch list Tuesday.
Goaltender Carson Bjarnason, forward Nate Danielson received an A-Rating. Forward Rylen Roersma received a C-Rating.
Bjarnason (6-3, 186) is 6-2-1 with a 1.99 goals-against average, .945 save percentage and one shutout in nine games. He leads WHL goalies with 310 saves. Central scouting had positive things to say about the Wheat Kings goaltender.
“He’s very focused and determined with very good quickness, especially in reactions, recovery and lateral play,” said Al Jensen of Central Scouting. “He’s got good overall net coverage and has good pro potential.”
Danielson (6’1, 185) after starting the season with only 2 points in his first 4 games at home, is back on track after scoring 3 goals and 10 assists during the 8 game road trip.
Roersma (5’11, 185) was previously invited to Colorado Avalanche’s development camp last Summer. The Lethbridge, Alberta native came in as a C Rated prospect and has potential to be a over age draft pick next Spring.
NHL Central Scouting identifies players with a rating system that includes four categories. The ‘A’ rating indicates players projected to be first-round candidates. The ‘B’ rating indicates players projected to be second- or third-round candidates, and the ‘C’ rating indicates players projected to be fourth-, fifth-, or sixth-round candidates. The ‘LV’ rating represents a player who has not had sufficient viewings, due to injury.
Seven WHL players earned ‘A’ ratings: Regina Pats forward Connor Bedard, Winnipeg ICE forward Zach Benson, Brandon Wheat Kings teammates Carson Bjarnason and Noah Danielson, Prince George Cougars forward Riley Heidt, Vancouver Giants forward Samuel Honzek and Moose Jaw Warriors forward Brayden Yager.
A further 12 WHL players were given ‘B’ ratings, including Kelowna Rockets teammates Andrew Cristall and Caden Price, Red Deer Rebels forward Kalan Lind and Seattle Thunderbirds pair Scott Ratzlaff and Gracyn Sawchyn. 23 WHL players earned ‘C’ ratings, while one WHL player received an ‘LV’ rating.
Overall, 21 of the 22 WHL Clubs are represented in the ‘Players to Watch’ List. The Vancouver Giants boast five players on the list to lead all WHL Clubs. The Brandon Wheat Kings, Kamloops Blazers, Moose Jaw Warriors, Portland Winterhawks and Saskatoon Blades have three players listed. Seven WHL Clubs are represented with two players on the list, while eight further WHL Clubs have a single player on NHL Central Scouting’s list.
A total of 25 WHL forwards find themselves on the list, joined by 12 WHL defencemen and six WHL goaltenders.
To see the full list of rankings. CLICK HERE
(Wheat Kings Release)
