Sign up for the paNOW newsletter

Three Raiders ranked by NHL Central Scouting

Apr 16, 2018 | 5:00 PM

As the 2018 NHL Entry Draft draws nearer, three members of the Prince Albert Raiders have found themselves on the radar.

Cole Fonstad, Kody McDonald, and Brayden Pachal are all listed on NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings list, released Monday morning.

The fifth-overall pick of the 2015 WHL bantam draft, Fonstad saw his draft stock improve this year as he set new career highs with 21 goals and 73 points in 72 games, the second most from his draft class. The Estevan native participated in the 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in January, and will compete for Team Canada in the 2018 U18 World Hockey Championships in Russia beginning on Thursday morning.

Fonstad is the only one of the three that was on Central Scouting’s midterm list back in January. At that time, Fonstad was ranked 78th among North American skaters but has now jumped up 13 spots to 65th. North American skaters are those who played the 2017-18 season in North American regardless of nationality, whether at the Major Junior, Junior A, Collegiate, or High School Level.

McDonald caught the attention of scouts with his play after coming over to the Raiders from the Prince George Cougars in January. McDonald scored 15 goals and 30 points in 33 games played with Prince Albert this season, helping his team into the postseason. McDonald is the 178th ranked North American Skater.

After going undrafted last year, Pachal established himself as a high-end defenceman with the Raiders this season. In addition to taking on a shutdown role, Pachal chipped in with seven goals and 26 points which were both career highs. 

The 2018 NHL Draft will take place on June 22 and 23 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.

 

news@panow.com

On Twitter: @PrinceAlbertNOW