2013 NHL Draft Preview – Fall Preliminary Rankings

Nov 21, 2012

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Portland Winterhawks defenceman Seth Jones is the top-ranked WHL skater in NHL Central Scouting’s fall preliminary rankings for the 2013 NHL Draft.

Originally drafted by the Everett Silvertips in the first round of the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft, Jones was acquired by the Winterhawks in May 2012. He is no stranger to professional sports as the son of former NBA player Ronald “Popeye” Jones, who played 535 games over 11 seasons with Dallas, Toronto, Boston, Denver, Washington and Golden State. Although he grew up surrounded by the courts, ice arenas was more appealing to Jones as a fan of the Colorado Avalanche.

Number 2 on the list is Medicine Hat Tigers’ forward Hunter Shinkaruk who has been a force for the Tigers last season scoring 49 goals and 91 points.

Number 3 is Brandon Wheat Kings’ defenceman Ryan Pulock who currently leads WHL defencemen in scoring.

Seattle’s Shea Theodore is the fourth-ranked WHL skater in NHL Central Scouting’s preliminary rankings. The Aldergrove, B.C. product posted 35 points in 69 games as a 16-year-old rookie last season and currently sits among the T-Birds’ scoring leaders this season.

Rounding out the top 5 ranked skaters for the 2013 NHL Draft is Regina Pats’ star forward Morgan Klimchuk.

For a complete list of WHL Players in NHL Central Scouting’s fall preliminary rankings, visit WHL.ca.