NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking

NHL Central Scouting, an absolutely excellent source when it comes to ranking players for The NHL Draft has released it's final rankings for the 2011 draft. Central scouting releases four lists, one each for North American skaters and goalies, and the same for Euorpean skaters and goalies.

Three future Badgers and two current members were featured in this edition by CS. Although in the case for three out of the five, their rankings dropped since Central Scouting released their mid-terms in early January.

2011 forward recruit Joseph LaBate from the Academy of Holy Angels in the twin cities leads the charge at #51 overall. That's up from #60 at the mid-terms. Next is current Badger winger Michael Mersch at #83. Mersch was #63 at the mid-terms. After that is 2011 forward recruit Brendan woods at #147, up 9 spots. Badger defenseman Frankie Simonelli checks in at #154, down from #92 at the mid-term. And finally 2012 or 13 forward recruit Brad Navin from Waupaca rounds out the list of Badgers at #163, down from #150 at the mid-terms due to a knee injury.

Badgers on NHL Central Scouting
#51-Joseph LaBate-Academy of Holy Angels (2011 recruit)
#83-Michael Mersch-Wisconsin
#147-Brendan Woods-Muskegon Lumberjacks (2011 recruit)
#154-Frankie Simonelli-Wisconsin
#163-Brad Navin-Waupaca (2012 or 13 recruit)

Wisconsin natives on NHL Central Scouting
#134-Aaron Harstad-Stavens Point (Colorado College)
#159-Max McCormick-DePere (Ohio State)
#163-Brad Navin-Waupaca

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Four Badgers on NHL Central Scouting Mid-Terms

NHL Central Scouting, an excellent resource for the NHL Draft has released it's annual mid-term rankings today. Two current and two future Badgers were fortunate enough to be recognized by Central Scouting.

The two current Badgers, forward Michael Mersch and defenseman Frankie Simonelli need no introduction. I think both players have exceeded expectations a bit this season at Wisconsin and both are looked upon as important players as the Badgers move forward in their season. Both players are expected to be drafted and their rankings by Central Scouting reflect as much.

Mersch, a 6'2, 198 pound winger is ranked as the #62 North American skater by NHL Central Scouting. Adding in European players and goalies, that's a third round projection for Mersch in this summers NHL Draft.

Simonelli, who is listed at 5'10.75, 190 pounds is ranked as the #92 North American skater by CS. When you add in Euro's and goalies, That's around the 4th of 5th round in this summers draft.

An interesting name to follow regarding the draft is Wisconsin recruit Brad Navin. The 6'3, 183 pound center from Waupaca high school is ranked as the #150 North American Skater by Central Scouting. That puts Navin right down towards the end of the draft. Many feel that he would have increased his draft stock by moving to the USHL this season when the opportunity presented itself. I think unquestionably that this is the case but I can see from his point of view why he decided to stay at Waupaca for his senior season.

The other Badger recruit on the list is 6'2.5, 190 pound winger Brendan Woods from Muskegon of the USHL. Last season Central Scouting had Woods listed as the #52 North American skater and he got passed by all 30 NHL teams in all 7 rounds of the draft. Woods isn't lighting up the score board in the USHL by any means so it will be interesting to see if any NHL team takes a shot on him in this draft. Also note that his father is an assistant coach for the Washington Capitals.

There are three other players with Wisconsin ties to be featured by Central Scouting. Stevens Point native and Colorado College recruit Aaron Harstad is ranked #149. Harstad, who plays for the Green Bay Gamblers was passed over in last years draft. Max McCormick, a DePere, WI native and Ohio State recruit is ranked #159. McCormick is having a great rookie year in the USHL with Sioux City. And finally at #190 checks in defenseman Joey Fiala from Verona. Fiala, a Western Michigan recruit is playing with the USA NTDP U18's this season.

Photo courtesy of Melody Hasse

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NHL Releases Final Central Scouting Rankings

NHL Central Scouting released it's final Draft rankings literally minutes ago and there is a handful of Badgers/future Badgers listed. The 2010 NHL Draft will be in held in Los Angeles, California this summer.

The highest ranked Badger is 2010 incoming recruit Jason Clark who is currently playing at Shattuck St. Marys High School in Fairbult, MN. Clark, a 6'2, 180 lb forward is listed by Central Scouting as the #81 ranked North American prospect. Clark had a solid season for Shattuck recording a line of 23-23-46 in 54 games.

The next future Badger listed is 2011 recruit Brendan Woods who is playing for the Chicago Steel of the USHL. Woods, a 6'2, 188 lb forward is listed by Central Scouting as the #83 ranked North American prospect. Woods, who has had to overcome a pre-season broken leg, has recorded 10 points in 34 games for the Steel this season. Woods, who's father is Washington Capitals assistant coach Bob Woods looks like a real nice pick up for the 2011 class.

Current Badger defenseman John Ramage is the next player listed by Central Scouting. The 6'1, 184 lb defenseman from St. Louis has had an outstanding freshman season for the Badgers far exceeding expectations. Ramage, who went un-drafted in his first year of eligibility is listed by Central Scouting as the #131 best available North American player. He was ranked #187 during the mid-term rankings. Ramage has put up some numbers, 12 points in 39 games, but the best part of his game is being a lock down defenseman. He's as good or better than advertised.

Also of note, former Stevens Point defenseman and current Green Bay Gamblers defenseman Aaron Harstad checks in at #94 on the latest Central Scouting Rankings. Harstad, a Colorado College recruit is a really, really nice player. He would have looked very good in cardinal and white but it's always great to see Wisconsin born players advancing to the next level, except when they go to Minnesota.

Current and Future Badgers on Central Scouting

NHL Central Scouting released it's mid-term report today and there are (obviously) current and future Badgers on the list. There were obviously some surprises and some that were exactly where I thought they would be. There are also some that weren't included who I thought should be but that's the way it goes sometimes.

The only current Badger on the list is freshman forward Jordy Murray. You all should be fairly aware of Jordy and his history so I won't waste your time. It was fairly surprising that he wasn't drafted last season. He's put up a respectable line of 5 goals, and 5 assists for 10 points in 24 games. Jordy checks in at #191 on the list.

Wisconsin's highest rated recruit is John Ramage at #87. Ramage is defenseman who plays for the USA NTDP and will come in next season. Wisconsin picked up Ramage not long after it became apparent that Nick Pryor wasn't going to be able to get into school at UW. Not a bad replacement eh?

After Ramage, New Prague forward Tyler Lapic makes his way onto the list at #111. Wisconsin caught a lot of flack from un-informed internet posters/bloggers from un-named rodent loving schools when it picked up a committment from Lapic. Most thought it was simply a ploy to gain the respect of Seth Ambroz, another star forward at New Prague. Ploy or not, Wisconsin has themselves a player in Lapic. I got to see him in Eau Claire 2 weekends ago and he was impressive. While I felt he could be more explosive, he just had the "it" factor that makes some players tansition to the next level that much easier.

Like Jordy Murray, future recruit Tyler Barnes was eligible for last seasons NHL draft. Barnes, who hails from Burnsville, MN and is a forward for the Waterloo Black Hawks, checks in at #137. I'm a tad surprised at his inclusion on the list but it's not that he isn't deserving. That opinion is based solely on him not being taken last season. While it's not impossible for a player to be passed over one year and selected the next, (see Patrick Johnson last summer) it's certainly not the norm.

So to recap, Jordy Murray is the only current Badger on the mid-term list at #191. 2009 defense recruit John Ramage from the NTDP is at #87. New Prague forward Tyler Lapic checks in at #111. And 2009 forward recruit Tyler Barnes rounds it out for the Badgers at #137.

You also have to keep in mind that some recruits and (again obviously) there are a ton of players on the roster already drafted. Justin Schultz is the only current incoming recruit that is already drafted. He went in the second round last summer. It's tough to keep drafted players back another year, just ask Patrick Wiercoich.