A pair of Red Deer Rebels have cracked the NHL Central Scouting preliminary players to watch list for the 2022 NHL Draft.
Forward Kai Uchacz and defencman Jace Weir were both given “C” grade by the central scout bureau, meaning they could be in line for a late-round selection in the draft this summer.
Uchacz, a six-foot-one, 190-pound centre was acquired by the Rebels from the Seattle Thunderbirds in the offseason but didn’t play last in the shortened campaign after it was discovered he directed racist remarks towards a teammate.
With the Rebels, the 18-year-old has made the most of his second chance so far. He has two goals and three assists in eight regular-season games this year. In five preseason games for the Rebels, he scored four times and added four assists.
The Calgary product has mostly centred the third line with the Rebels this season, between Dallon Melin and Kalan Lind.
Weir, 17, has two goals and four assists in eight games. The six-foot-two, 185-pound defender has developed in his second WHL season, evven gaining some power play time under new Rebels head coach Steve Konowalchuk. Last season in his rookie year in the WHL, the Coldstream B.C. product had nine points in 22 games.