In the past three years, twice he’s watched brothers get their names called to the stage at the NHL Draft.

Now Sam Reinhart is ready for his turn.

The 17-year-old captain of the Western Hockey League’s Kootenay Ice has made quite a name for himself well in advance of the 2014 NHL Draft. The top-ranked player for the 2014 NHL Draft blasted on the WHL scene as a rookie, recording 62 points in 67 games alongside brother Max and followed up that performance with a mammoth 35-goal, 85-point year last season.

He did this in the span of 72 games and was a key catalyst in Kootenay’s dramatic rise from the basement of the WHL standings and  into a playoff spot.

Reinhart has earned rave reviews from scouts regarding his complete game and polished – almost NHL like – skill set but it’s his elite hockey sense that has Future Considerations’ scout Zenon Herasymiuk intrigued.

“Reinhart’s defining attribute is his definitely his hockey sense, which is nothing short of elite,” said Herasymiuk. “The way he thinks the game is already at an NHL-level and whether it’s a nice play in the defensive zone or a seeing-eye pass through traffic, Reinhart always seems to be one step ahead of the game. He posses a lethal shot when to along with his good size and strength.”

He’s put that on display internationally, too.

Reinhart has become a leader for Canada, earning the captaincy at both the World Under-18 Championship and Ivan Hlinka Memorial – scoring a combined six goals and 13 points in 12 games at the two events.

Reinhart also attended Canada’s National Junior Team summer development camp and is in line to compete for a spot on said squad come December.

He will come into Ice camp this fall as the undisputed number one player on the team and it would be an understatement to say he’ll get every opportunity to torch the league this season.

If he’s able to do so, he’ll not only compete as the top pick in 2014.

And become the highest-drafted of the Reinhart family.