NAHL numbers steady on NHL CSS November Watch list

November 24, 2014

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) is please to announce that 13 total players (10 current, 3 alumni), were recognized on the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Central Scouting’s Preliminary 2015 November Players to Watch list. 

 

The list included 10 players that are currently playing in the NAHL this season and three former players that are in another league. The only other non-major junior league in North America that had more players listed than the NAHL was the USHL.

 

It is the same number of players that was originally published back in late September when NHL Central Scouting released its original ‘Prospects to Watch’ list.

 

 

The lists, comprised of "A," "B" and "C" players for the upcoming season in each of the major junior hockey leagues, are sent to NHL team scouts for the purpose of tracking the top draft-eligible players entering the 2014-15 season.  All "A" skaters have been identified as potential first-round picks, while "B" players are considered second- or third-round candidates. The players on the "C" list are thought to be fourth-, fifth- or sixth-round possibilities. 

 

Vaughan Ahrens, G, Minnesota Magicians

Ryan Bednard, G, Johnstown Tomahawks

Tim Faulkner, D, Odessa Jackalopes

Hugo Gallet, D, Austin Bruins

Christian Hausinger, D, Odessa Jackalopes

Matthew Jurusik, G, Janesville Jets

JC MacLean, F, Austin Bruins

Tristan Rostagno, D, Amarillo Bulls

Tanner Schachle, F, Kenai River Brown Bears

Matej Tomek, G, Topeka RoadRunners

 

Logan Halladay, G, Janesville Jets (2013-14)

Zach Jordan, F, Minnesota Wilderness (2013-14)

Ryan Larkin, G, Michigan Warriors (2014-15)

 

Players from the NAHL on the list include Topeka RoadRunners goaltender Matej Tomek, who is the highest ranked NAHL player on the list with a B-rating.  Tomek had a great start to the season, but was injured in the middle of October. He made his return to the line-up this past weekend and posted a shutout in his first game back. Tomek leads the NAHL with a 1.19 goals against average and is 2nd with a 94.9% save percentage.

 

Other current NAHL players on the list include: 

 

Vaughan Ahrens, G, Minnesota Magicians: Ahrens got off to a great start this season, but was injured in mid-October. He is expected to return to the line-up in December. The 17-year-old has posted a 2.82 GAA and a 91.8% save percentage to go along with his 5-2 record.

 

Ryan Bednard, G, Johnstown Tomahawks: Bednard has been a workhorse this season for the Tomahawks. The Bowling Green commit has appeared in 14 games with a 7-6-1 record, a 2.93 GAA and a 90% save percentage.

 

Tim Faulkner, D, Odessa Jackalopes: In mid-October the 6’4/210 lbs. defenseman was traded from Springfield to Odessa. Faulkner has three points in 21 games played and picked up an assist this past weekend in Odessa’s series in Corpus Christi.

 

Hugo Gallet, D, Austin Bruins: Gallet has been steady along the blueline this season. He has five points (all assists) in 22 games played and his +7 rating is second best on the team and best among all defensemen.

 

Christian Hausinger, D, Odessa Jackalopes: The Scared Heart commit has had a great season so far along the blueline despite the Jacks struggles. His 13 points is tops for all Odessa defensemen and ranks tied for 3rd in team scoring.

 

Matt Jurusik, G, Janesville Jets: Jurusik has been a major factor behind Janesville’s run to 1st place in the North. He ranks in the Top 8 in NAHL goaltending statistics including games/minutes played, goals against average and wins.

 

JC MacLean, F, Austin Bruins: Maclean has been hot as of late with two goals in his last three games. He has five points in 22 games so far this season and all his points have been goals.

 

Tristan Rostagno, D, Amarillo Bulls: The Michigan Tech recruit has three points (2 goals, 1 assist) in 18 games played for the Bulls this season.

 

Tanner Schachle, F, Kenai River Brown Bears: Schachle has appeared in all 23 games so far for the Brown Bears this season. He current has two goals and two assists to his credit.

 

This year’s list also features three former NAHL players. They include goalie Logan Halladay, who played for the Janesville Jets last season, played in the 2014 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament as a part of the NAHL 18U Selects and committed to the University of Minnesota while playing in the NAHL last season. Also included in former Minnesota Wilderness forward Zach Jordan, who played in the NAHL during the 2013-14 season and goaltender Ryan Larkin, who began this season with the Michigan Warriors.

 

NHL Central Scouting will release its midseason rankings of 2015 draft-eligibles in January, followed by its final rankings in April.  The Florida Panthers will host the 2015 NHL Draft at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida. Next year's Draft will be held over two days, Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27, 2015. NHL club executives, scouts and coaches will be present on the NHL Draft floor while more than 15,000 fans and 500 print, television and radio media are expected to attend.

 

A total of six players with NAHL ties were selected in this past summer’s 2014 NHL Entry Draft.