Mathew Dumba doesn’t put a whole lot of stock in scouting lists.
The International Scouting Service has Dumba ranked sixth overall — including North American and overseas players — for next year’s NHL entry draft, while Central Scouting lists him as No. 3 among Western Hockey League skaters.
Clearly, the hard-hitting, hard-shooting rearguard is a highly-regarded prospect with a bright future. But, as he pointed out, only his on-ice actions will determine his path.
“Those little things, like rankings, are nice, but I kind of don’t pay too much attention to them,” he said Thursday, just hours after Central Scouting released its top 25 list for each of the Canadian major junior leagues.
“I just focus on my game and on improving each day. People can always judge you by (rankings), but when it comes down to it you just have to prove yourself to one (NHL) team, and that’s the team that’s picking you. Hopefully I can prove to some team that I’m a worthy draft pick next summer.”
Dumba’s accomplishments — WHL rookie of the year, serving as captain of Canada’s under-18 team — are well-documented. He’s a player who has been in the spotlight for several years.
As for Rebels netminder Patrik Bartosak . . . well, not so much. While the 18-year-old stopper has played internationally for the Czech Republic, he was overlooked in the 2011 NHL entry draft.
However, he’s currently the third-ranked WHL goaltender by Central Scouting, which is not difficult to comprehend given his excellent play through the first two months of the season.
“He was on the NHL radar last year,” said Rebels GM/head coach Jesse Wallin. “I think a lot of teams had him in the mix. But it’s a tough position, it’s so unique, so it really depends on the draft and which teams are looking for a goaltender and how many picks they have and where they’ll be able to fit him in.
“So he could have been drafted last year in the right situation, but being over here now, playing this calibre and with scouts in the building every night . . . I think it’s only going to help him.”
Bartosak, as Wallin noted, has several positive attributes.
“If he continues to play the way he has there’s no reason why he won’t be drafted (in 2012),” said Wallin. “He’s an NHL prospect based on his competitiveness alone. His ability level is certainly high, skill-wise and ability-wise he has the tools. But he’s also one of those guys whose compete level is going to put him over the top. He just works so hard and wants to be a pro, so he’s a guy who is certainly very appealing in my eyes.”
Just notes: Everett Silvertips GM Doug Soetaert was busy last weekend and on Monday, acquiring veteran forwards JT Barnett from the Kamloops Blazers and Teal Burns from the Prince Albert Raiders, surrendering respective third- and sixth-round picks in the 2013 bantam draft. Barnett is the son of former Phoenix Coyotes GM Mike Barnett and had four goals and two assists in 16 games with Kamloops this season, his fourth in the league. Burns had eight assists in 16 games between Prince Albert and Vancouver this season. Soetaert is hopeful that Barnett, in particular, can fill some of the offensive void created by the recent departure of Tyler Maxwell, who has requested a trade. “I’ve always liked JT. He has some offensive abilities and I see him playing in our top six forwards. I just see him contributing offensively and it makes up for some of the goals we lost with Maxwell being out of the lineup,” the ‘Tips GM told Nick Patterson of the Everett Herald. . . Vancouver Giants 19-year-old star forward Brendan Gallagher signed a three-year, entry-level NHL contract with the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday. Gallagher’s Edmonton-based agent, Gerry Johannson, said the deal took only a couple of days to complete and will pay Gallagher more than the average fifth-round pick. “Montreal was very respectful of Brendan,” Johannson told Steve Ewen of the Vancouver Province. “Montreal recognized that he had exceeded his draft position and rewarded him accordingly.”
gmeachem@www.reddeeradvocate.com