Red Deer Rebels defenceman Kayle Doetzel is listed in the NHL Central Scouting final rankings for the second year in succession.
Doetzel was ranked 90th among North American skaters in last year’s CS final rankings and was passed over completely in the NHL entry draft. This year he’s ranked 178th, making him a fringe possibility to be selected in the draft as a 19-year-old.
Meanwhile, teammates Haydn Fleury and Conner Bleackley are locks for the draft, with both likely to be picked in the first two rounds.
Fleury, listed ninth overall among North American skaters, is the No. 2 ranked defenceman and will almost certainly be taken in the first round. Bleackley, a centre, is ranked 35th.
Kingston Frontenacs forward Sam Bennett is ranked first overall, with Barrie Colts defenceman Aaron Ekblad and forwards Sam Reinhart of the Kootenay Ice, Leon Draisaitl of the Prince Albert Raiders and Michael Dal Colle of the Oshawa Generals rounding out the top five.
Other WHL players ranked in the top 30 are forward Jake Virtanen of the Calgary Hitmen at No. 6, Swift Current Broncos defenceman Julius Honka at No. 11, Saskatoon Blades forward Nikita Scherbak (15th), Brandon Wheat Kings forward John Quenneville (23rd), Broncos rearguard Brycen Martin (26th) and Raiders forward Reid Gardiner (29th).
Justin Paulic of the Moose Jaw Warriors is the top-ranked WHL goaltender at No. 17. Ty Edmonds of the Prince George Cougars is ranked 18th.