Jakob Chychrun and Matthew Tkachuk, Future Considerations’ highest-ranked Canadian Hockey League skaters for the 2016 NHL Draft, were among the 40 players named to play in the BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Vancouver on Jan. 28.
The game features eight prospects from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, 20 from the Ontario Hockey League, and 12 from the Western Hockey League. Players were chosen by the 30 NHL teams; rosters were set by NHL Central Scouting.
“The BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game provides a unique opportunity for NHL scouts and General Managers to evaluate top CHL talent for the 2016 NHL Draft in a best-on-best competition,” NHL Central Scouting Director Dan Marr said in a release. “The game is also a unique opportunity for the players to take advantage of the spotlight in what is consistently an exciting and highly competitive showcase.”
Chychrun and Tkachuk are ranked second and third respectively in Future Considerations’ December ranking for the 2016 draft.
They’ll be joined by Julien Gauther (No. 6), Alexander Nylander (7), Pierre-Luc Dubois (9), Michael McLeod (13), Olli Juolevi (14), Max Jones (15), Alex DeBrincat (17), Tyler Benson (19), Logan Brown (20), Samuel Girard (21), Vitali Abramov (22), Sam Steel (24), Jake Bean (25), and Kale Clague (29) as players currently ranked in the first round by Future Considerations.
Thirteen CHL players who competed in the 2015 CHL Top Prospects Game were selected in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft.
In 20 years, 278 CHL players from this event have been chosen by NHL clubs in the first round of the NHL Draft representing 47 percent of all players selected.
Since the game was introduced in 1996, it has featured 13 players selected with the first overall pick in the NHL Draft, including Connor McDavid, Aaron Ekblad, Nathan MacKinnon, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall, John Tavares, Steven Stamkos, Patrick Kane, Marc-Andre Fleury, Rick Nash, Vincent Lecavalier, Joe Thornton, and Chris Phillips.
“The BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is one of the highlights of the hockey season,” CHL President David Branch said in a release. “Since 1996 the CHL’s top prospects have showcased their skills in this event providing NHL scouts, General Managers, and fans the opportunity to catch the next wave of NHL talent which in recent years has featured first overall picks Connor McDavid, Aaron Ekblad, Nathan MacKinnon, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
“We look forward to January 28 with coaches Don Cherry and Bobby Orr, and 40 of the top CHL players eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft competing before the passionate hockey fans in Vancouver and to CHL fans across Canada watching live on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.”
TEAM CHERRY
Goaltenders
Evan Fitzpatrick (Sherbrooke Phoenix)
Zach Sawchenko (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Defencemen
Jakob Chychrun (Sarnia Sting)
Kale Clague (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Sean Day (Mississauga Steelheads)
Samuel Girard (Shawinigan Cataractes)
Lucas Johansen (Kelowna Rockets)
Markus Niemelainen (Saginaw Spirit)
Forwards
Vitali Abramov (Gatineau Olympiques)
Tyler Benson (Vancouver Giants)
Logan Brown (Windsor Spitfires)
Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters)
Dillon Dube (Kelowna Rockets)
Julien Gauthier (Val-d’Or Foreurs)
Tim Gettinger (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Noah Gregor (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Max Jones (London Knights)
Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)
Michael McLeod (Mississauga Steelheads)
Sam Steel (Regina Pats)
TEAM ORR
Goaltenders
Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Dylan Wells (Peterborough Petes)
Defencemen
Jake Bean (Calgary Hitmen)
Luke Green (Saint John Sea Dogs)
Libor Hajek (Saskatoon Blades)
Olli Juolevi (London Knights)
Mikhail Sergachev (Windsor Spitfires)
Logan Stanley (Windsor Spitfires)
Forwards
Nathan Bastian (Mississauga Steelheads)
Will Bitten (Flint Firebirds)
Pierre-Luc Dubois (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)
Brett Howden (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Boris Katchouk (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Jack Kopacka (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Pascal Laberge (Victoriaville Tigres)
Alexander Nylander (Mississauga Steelheads)
Taylor Raddysh (Erie Otters)
Otto Somppi (Halifax Mooseheads)
Simon Stransky (Prince Albert Raiders)
Matthew Tkachuk (London Knights)