TORONTO – Right wing Nail Yakupov (Nizhnekamsk, Russia) of the Ontario Hockey League’s Sarnia Sting and center Mikhail Grigorenko (Khabarovsk, Russia) of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Quebec Remparts were named the No. 1 and No. 2 draft-eligible skaters from North America, respectively, as NHL Central Scouting released its mid-season rankings today. This marks the first time a pair of Russian-born players top Central Scouting’s North American-based skaters list.
Yakupov recently competed in the 2012 World Junior Championships, where he tied for the tournament lead with nine assists helping Russia to a silver medal. In his second season with the Sarnia Sting, he leads the team with 21 goals in 26 games (21-32–53). In 2010-11, he led OHL rookies in scoring with 101 points (49-52–101) in 65 games — it was the most points by a first-year OHL player since Patrick Kane had 145 points in 2006-07.
Also, his scoring in Sarnia surpassed Steven Stamkos’ team records for goals (42) and points (92) by a rookie.
Grigorenko, who also earned a silver medal at the 2012 World Junior Championships, leads the Quebec Remparts and all QMJHL rookies in scoring with 58 points (25-33–58) in 36 games this season.
Joining the debate over which player will be selected first overall is Swedish center Filip Forsberg, the top-rated European-based player and youngest member of the gold medal-winning Team Sweden at the 2012 World Junior Championships. Forsberg, no relation to former NHL All-Star Peter Forsberg, recorded 40 points (21-19–40) in 36 games playing for Leksand in the Swedish Under-20 league in 2010-11 and is currently playing for Leksand in the second division of Sweden’s senior league.
Western Hockey League defenseman and Everett Silvertips captain Ryan Murray (Regina, Sask.) is the No.3-ranked North American skater and the first of seven defensemen to be ranked among the top 10. A trio of defensemen follow Murray in the rankings: No. 5-ranked Morgan Rielly (Vancouver, BC) of the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors, No. 6-ranked Olli Maatta (Jyvaskyla, Finland) of the OHL’s London Knights and No. 7-ranked Mathew Dumba (Regina, Sask.) of the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels.
An undisputed top prospect, Alex Galchenyuk (Milwaukee, WI), of the OHL’s Sarnia Sting was listed under Limited Viewing (LV) by NHL Central Scouting due to an injury suffered in a 2011-12 preseason game.
Goaltender Malcolm Subban (Toronto, Ont.) from the OHL’s Belleville Bulls is the top-ranked North American goaltender. His brother P.K., was selected in the 2007 NHL Draft and is in his second full season with the Montreal Canadiens. Russian goaltender Andrei Vasilevski (Tyumen, Russia) is the top-ranked European goaltender.
The mid-season ranking features the top 210 skaters and 36 goaltenders in North America as well as the top 135 skaters and 10 goaltenders from Europe.
In its 37th year of operation, the NHL Central Scouting provides scouting and evaluation of draft-eligible players to NHL member clubs. Headed by Director of Central Scouting Dan Marr, NHL Central Scouting employs eight full-time and 16 part-time scouts throughout North America.
To report on prospects playing in Europe, the NHL employs the services of Goran Stubb and his staff of five scouts at European Scouting Services based in Finland. Combined, the NHL Central Scouting and European Scouting Service will see in excess of 3,000 games this season.
The full ranking in all categories is available at NHL.com/draft, media.nhl.com
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