Ryder Ritchie was one of 28 prospects to be given an 'A' grade by NHL Central Scouting. (Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Logan Lehmann

Early rankings

NHL Central Scouting names four Raiders as players to watch this season

Oct 25, 2023 | 4:00 PM

A handful of Prince Albert Raiders players were recognized by NHL Central Scouting as players to watch ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft.

On Wednesday, NHL Central Scouting released its Preliminary Players to Watch list and among those named were four Raiders: Ryder Ritchie, Matej Kubiesa, Grady Martin, and Cole Peardon.

Over 330 prospects from across the globe were named to the list and 28 players received an ‘A’ grade, which means they are a contender to be picked in the first round. Among those skaters to receive an ‘A’ grade is none other than Raiders forward Ritchie.

The Calgary product turned heads in his rookie season last year, potting 20 goals and 35 assists en route to winning the WHL Rookie of the Year honours. Fast forward to this season and the Raiders forward continues to produce, leading the team in points with seven goals and nine assists in 12 games so far.

The other three Raiders named to the list were all given a ‘W’ rank, indicating they are projected as a sixth or seventh round candidate.

Raiders AGM

Raiders impact on Prince Albert local economy continues to go up: AGM report

1h ago

Court proceedings

'The impact of this trauma will echo for generations': court case surrounding La Ronge woman's death reaches conclusion

Dec 11, 2024

Going Global

P.A.'s Zablocki named to Team Canada for U18 Women's World Championships

Dec 11, 2024

Czechia import Kubiesa is putting on a show in his inaugural campaign with the Green and Gold with three goals and four assists in 12 appearances.

Martin is also off to a good start in his second season with the Raiders, scoring a goal and five assists through eight games while Peardon has a pair of goals and a trio of assists in eight games to kick off his sophomore season.

Additionally, one local skater was also given an ‘A’ grade on the list. Prince Albert’s own Tanner Howe is a projected first-round pick following his impressive numbers with the Regina Pats. Howe has spent three seasons in Regina, collecting 72 goals and 104 assists in 152 career games. So far this season as captain of the Pats, he has managed eight goals and 12 assists in 13 games.

The Raiders are in Swift Current on Wednesday before returning to the Art Hauser Centre to face the Broncos on Saturday night.

Of the more than 330 prospects named to the list, 161 hail from the CHL, with 63 in the WHL. The 2024 NHL Draft is set to be held in June in Las Vegas.

—

loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com