Will McBride’s monster March help his draft stock?

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Whether that has enticed NHL scouts will remain to be seen as McBride could range just about anywhere in the draft.

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“Does it help, maybe. It’s hard to say,” said McBride. “Maybe teams look for it, but they really look for a full body of work.”

McBride was ranked seventh among North American goaltenders by NHL Central Scouting. He was also featured in Bleacher Report’s sleepers list, as well as ranking 188th overall by hockeyprospect.com.

Players will tell you that they try their best not to think about the draft during the season, more on the task at hand. Their minds tend to wander once their season is over, but not for McBride. He’s already thinking about next year.

“Surprisingly, I’m not actually thinking about it that much,” said McBride. “I’m really just thinking about getting ready for next season.

“If I get drafted, great, if I don’t get drafted, it’s going to be completely fine. I’m just focused on next season.”

Next year will be very interesting, especially on how it will shape up in goal for the Raiders.

The Raiders will bring back an 18-year-old McBride and a 19-year-old Rylan Parenteau as incumbents for the role. Ian Scott, who the Raiders picked ninth overall in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft, will be eligible to start his WHL career and Curtis Meger, who put up stellar numbers in Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League, is also in the mix as a 17-year-old.

Despite the potential logjam between the pipes, McBride knows he has to put his best foot forward, regardless.

“I just got to go in and play my game,” said McBride. “I’ve been in the league for a couple seasons now, I know what it’s all about. I just got to go in there and work hard. I have to lead by example for the younger goalies.”

Also eligible for the draft this year is Parenteau, Brendan Guhle, Matteo Gennaro and Reid Gardiner.

Fun facts about McBride

McBride won the 2015 Western Hockey League Scholastic Player of the Year on May 6. Even while balancing the rigours and travel in a major junior hockey season, McBride had a 96 per cent average in his Grade 12 year.

He also changed his jersey number from 33 to 40 for his sophomore season. McBride said he’s always worn 40 in his youth. Although he couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason why he grew to love the number, he said Patrick Lalime and his rise from nowhere on the Ottawa Senators may have had something to do with it.

NHL Entry Draft

The first round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft will take place on Friday, starting at 5 p.m. Rounds 2-7 will get done on Saturday starting at 8 a.m.

jdandrea@panow.com

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea