By @MichaelCaples –
The National Hockey League’s Central Scouting Services released their preliminary ‘players to watch’ list for the 2015 NHL Draft today, giving prospects a grade of A, B or C.
An ‘A’ rating indicates a first-round draft pick candidate, a ‘B’ rating indicates a second or third-round draft pick candidate and a ‘C’ rating indicates a fourth, fifth or sixth-round draft pick candidate.
The list below features both Michigan natives and players currently playing for Michigan-based programs. Zach Werenski (Grosse Pointe) and Kyle Connor (Shelby Township) are the two Michigan natives who have received ‘A’ ratings – Connor was recently ranked No. 9 overall in The Hockey News’ latest projections, which Werenski checked in at No. 12.
Michigan natives in italics.
A rating
Zach Werenski – Michigan – Big Ten
Colin White – NTDP U18 – USHL
Jordan Greenway – NTDP U18 – USHL
Kyle Connor – Youngstown Phantoms – USHL
B rating
Jeremy Bracco – NTDP U18 – USHL
Christian Fischer – NTDP U18 – USHL
Casey Fitzgerald – NTDP U18 – USHL
Brent Gates – Green Bay Gamblers – USHL
Cooper Marody – Muskegon Lumberjacks – USHL
Luke Opilka – NTDP U18 – USHL
Jack Roslovic – NTDP U18 – USHL
Joe Cecconi – Muskegon Lumberjacks – USHL
C rating
Edwin Minney – Michigan State – Big Ten
Nick Azar – Honeybaked U18 – HPHL
Ryan Larkin – Michigan Warriors – NAHL
Ryan Bednard – Johnstown Tomahawks – NAHL
Cullen Mercer – Plymouth Whalers – OHL
Darby Llewellyn – Kitchener Rangers – OHL
Doug Blaisdell – Kitchener Rangers – OHL
Liam Dunda – Plymouth Whalers – OHL
Mitchell Stephens – Saginaw Spirit – OHL
Nick Boka – NTDP U18 – USHL
Christian Evers – NTDP U18 – USHL
Grant Gabriele – NTDP U18 – USHL
Bryce Hatten – Cedar Rapids RoughRiders – USHL
Caleb Jones – NTDP U18 – USHL
Michael Lackey – NTDP U18 – USHL
Tom Marchin – Muskegon Lumberjacks – USHL
Steven Merl – Muskegon Lumberjacks – USHL
Sam Miletic – Green Bay Gamblers – USHL
Steven Ruggiero – NTDP U18 – USHL
Eric Schierhorn – Muskegon Lumberjacks – USHL
Troy Terry – NTDP U18 – USHL
David Trinkberger – Muskegon Lumberjacks – USHL
Dennis Yan – Shawinigan Cataractes – QMJHL