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The NHL's Central Scouting Service recently released its final rankings of the top players eligible for this year's NHL Entry Draft. Four BC commits are ranked among the top 210 skaters in North America.
BC's 2012 commit Mike Matheson is the seventh highest ranked college commit of this year's rankings, ranked #30 among all North American skaters. Matheson is a 6-2, 175 pound defenseman from Point-Claire, Quebec, currently playing for the USHL's Dubuque Fighting Saints. This season, Matheson scored 10 goals and 14 assists in 51 games for Dubuque. Matheson will have an opportunity to log some minutes right away with the departures of Tommy Cross (Boston), Brian Dumoulin (Carolina) and Edwin Shea.
RW Chris Calnan, a 6-1, 190 right wing from Noble & Greenough Prep in Dedham, was ranked #69 on the Central Scouting's final draft rankings. Calnan scored 28 goals and 27 assists in just 29 games this year for Nobles. Calnan is a 2013 commit.
Center Frank Vatrano checked in at #88. The 5-10, 218 pound center spend this past season with the U.S. Under 18 NTDP Team. Finally, defenseman Travis Jeke was ranked #184 in this year's final rankings. Jeke is a 6-1, 185 pound blueliner for Northwood Prep in Lake Placid, New York.
From Hockey East, Boston University led the way with eight players ranked among the 210 best North American skaters. Jack Parker even threw in a goaltender, Sean Macguire, currently playing for the BCHL's Powell River. Maine has five players, while future HEA program Notre Dame placed three skaters on the list. Northeastern placed two players on the list, while UMass-Lowell, Providence, Vermont and Merrimack each had one player or commit make the final rankings.
Just five players on the Eagles' current roster are property of an NHL team -- Patrick Wey (Washington Capitals), Isaac MacLeod (San Jose Sharks), Kevin Hayes (Chicago Blackhawks) and Johnny B. Gaudreau (Calgary Flames).
The 2012 NHL Entry Draft will be held will be held on June 22-23, 2012 at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, the site of next year's Frozen Four.