FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CALGARY, AB — Aaron Ekblad of the Barrie Colts remains Future Considerations’ top-ranked prospect for 2014.

Ekblad topped Future Considerations’ March ranking for the 2014 NHL Draft, a spot he’s held since taking over the position from Sam Reinhart of the Kootenay Ice on December’s list. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound defenseman has 21 goals and 47 points in 52 games this season.

Reinhart remains second directly behind Ekblad. The 18-year-old is Future Considerations’ top forward and hasn’t been ranked lower than second all season. He’s set the Western Hockey League on its ear of late and has a career-high 94 points in 53 games this season.

Sam Bennett, one of two Kingston Frontenacs skaters to make the top-30, is third. William Nylander of MoDo, the top-ranked European skater, and Nick Ritchie of the Peterborough Petes round out the top-5.

At 13, Boston College’s Thatcher Demko is the top-ranked goaltender for the 2014 NHL Draft.

1). D Aaron Ekblad, Barrie (OHL), 6-4, 215
2). C Sam Reinhart, Kootenay (WHL), 6-1, 185
3). C/LW Sam Bennett, Kingston (OHL), 6-0, 180
4). C William Nylander, MODO (SHL), 5-11, 170
5). LW Nick Ritchie, Peterborough (OHL), 6-2, 230
6). LW/C Michael Dal Colle, Oshawa (OHL), 6-2, 180
7). C Leon Draisaitl, Prince Albert (WHL), 6-2, 210
8). D Haydn Fleury, Red Deer (WHL), 6-3, 200
9). LW Brendan Perlini, Niagara (OHL), 6-2, 205
10). LW Jake Virtanen, Calgary (WHL), 6-1, 210
11). LW Nikolaj Ehlers, Halifax (QMJHL), 5-11, 165
12). RW Josh Ho-Sang, Windsor (OHL), 5-11, 165
13). G Thatcher Demko, Boston College (NCAA), 6-4, 180
14). LW Ivan Barbashev, Moncton (QMJHL), 6-1, 185
15). C Dylan Larkin, USNTDP U18 (USHL), 6-1, 190
16). C Jared McCann, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL), 6-0, 180
17). RW Kasperi Kapanen, KalPa (SM-Liiga), 5-11, 170
18). RW Alex Tuch, USNTDP U18 (USHL), 6-4, 215
19). D Roland McKeown, Kingston (OHL), 6-1, 200
20). C Robby Fabbri, Guelph (OHL), 5-10, 165
21). LW Sonny Milano, USNTDP U18 (USHL), 5-11, 185
22). LW Kevin Fiala, HV71 J20 (SuperElit), 5-10, 180
23). RW Conner Bleackley, Red Deer (WHL), 6-1, 195
24). C Adrian Kempe, Modo J20 (SuperElit), 6-2, 190
25). D Jack Dougherty, USNTDP U18 (USHL), 6-1, 185
26). RW David Pastrnak, Sodertalje (Allsvenskan), 6-0, 170
27). RW Nikolay Goldobin, Sarnia (OHL), 6-0, 175
28). RW Anton Karlsson, Frolunda J20 (SuperElit), 6-1, 190
29). C Nick Schmaltz, Green Bay (USHL), 5-11, 170
30). C Eric Cornel, Peterborough (OHL), 6-2, 175