SIX PATS RATED FOR NHL DRAFT
The NHL Central Scouting Service released its final player rankings ahead of the 2015 NHL Draft on June 26 and 27 in Sunrise, Florida. Six Regina Pats players (Austin Wagner, Connor Hobbs, Jesse Gabrielle, Sergey Zborovskiy, Adam Brooks, Adam Berg) made it onto the list with five increasing their standing.
Austin Wagner is the Pats’ highest ranked player at 35th among North American skaters. Wagner found his scoring touch this season, picking up 39 points (20G, 19A) in 61 games. The speedster became one of the WHL’s top shorthanded threats with eight shorthanded points (5G, 3A). He was 43rd in the mid-term rankings.
Connor Hobbs finishes the year 72nd on the North American list despite only playing 45 games in the WHL this season. Hobbs totaled 18 points (2G, 16A) with 16 of those points coming in his final 24 games. The Saskatoon, SK product dressed for Team Canada’s U18 squad at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament prior to the season, and Team Canada West at the World Junior-A Challenge in December. Hobbs was 100th on the mid-term rankings.
Jesse Gabrielle sits right behind Hobbs at 73rd in the rankings. The forward joined the Pats just ahead of the 2015 WHL Trade Deadline from the Brandon Wheat Kings. Gabrielle tallied 44 points (23G, 21A) in 66 games this season. Gabrielle also finished second on the Pats with 112 penalty minutes. The Moosomin, SK native was 61st on the mid-term rankings.
Sergey Zborovskiy was the Pats fastest riser, moving all the way to 103 from 197 at the mid-term. Zborovskiy turned in a strong rookie season, accumulating 19 points (3G, 16A) and a +15 plus/minus rating while playing in 71 games this season, missing just the final game of the year. He is tied for 3rd in the WHL Playoffs with a +7 plus/minus rating.
Adam Brooks makes his first appearance on the rankings at 176th among North American skaters. The 18-year old is in his second year of draft eligibility. Brooks enjoyed a break out season leading the Pats in goals (30) and points (62). Brooks finished ahead of teammate Austin Wagner leading the WHL with nine shorthanded points (4G, 5A). He also has two shorthanded goals in the first four games of the playoffs.
Recent call-up Adam Berg rounds out the list at 200th. Berg played most of his season with the Calgary Mustangs in the AJHL, finishing third on the team with 36 points (16G, 20A) in 49 games. Berg played in 12 regular season games with the Pats, picking up three points (1G, 2A). He has two assists in four playoff games. He was not listed on the mid-term list, but was mentioned in the preliminary ‘Watch List’.
Pats prospect Liam Finlay sits 199th among North American skaters.
(Courtesy Daniel Fink)
