There are nine players with ties to California who have appeared on watch lists or ranked at various times this season by the NHL Central Scouting Service. Here is a closer look those draft prospects. An NHL amateur scout offered his assessment of selected prospects.
F Nic Kerdiles, 6-foot-2, 201-pounds, USNTDP
Kerdiles led the U.S. National Development Team Program in scoring this past season with 48 points in 54 games. That figure included team highs in goals (22), assists (26) and power-play goals (seven). The former LA Select was ranked the 29th North American skater in NHL Central Scouting Service’s final pre-draft rankings, and he capped his USNTDP career by helping Team USA to its fourth consecutive gold medal in the World Under-18 Championships in the Czech Republic in late April. The University of Wisconsin-bound forward saved his best for last, scoring two goals and adding three assists in the 7-0 gold-medal triumph over Sweden. … Scout: “The first thing I noticed this season was he has gotten bigger and stronger. He’s always had good vision and offensive awareness with the puck. Now he has the body to go with that ability to create on the rush and off the wall. You saw his production at Worlds.”
F Miles Koules, 5-11, 189, USNTDP
The former LA Select appeared on the fall watch list and in both rankings, finishing as the 201st North American skater. … LA native had 16 points, including 12 assists in 42 games. … He recently de-committed to North Dakota to play for Medicine Hat of the WHL next season. … Scout: “Has big-time skill, gets pucks to people. Smart but needs to work on his strength and skating to separate himself from the pack.”
F Nik Olsson, 6-1, 194, USNTDP
Olsson (Escondido) had his season again ended early by injuries. He was rated 136th in the mid-term rankings. Five goals in 41 games. … Scout: “Tough for a team to pick him because of lack of games. Depending on what he does school-wise he might be drafted out of college.”
F Adam Reid, 6-4, 205, Northeastern (Hockey East)
Freshman from Chino Hills emerged as a top-notch penalty killer and energy player who chipped in nine points (including six goals) in 33 games. … Was 143rd in mid-term rankings in his second year of draft eligibility. … Scout: “He plays a north-south power game. A character player. If he’s not drafted, he could be a college free-agent target.”
Three more players were ranked on the fall watch list:
F Adam Chlapik, 6-0, 181, left shot, Muskegon (USHL)
The former LA Jr. King had 16 points in 43 USHL games with three clubs this season.
D Chris Buchanan, 6-1, 185, right shot, Alaska (NAHL)
The San Jose native and former Jr. Shark provided solid defense in 47 games for the Avalanche.
C Dennis Kravchenko, 5-9, 168, left shot, Cedar Rapids (USHL)
The former LA Select (Laguna Niguel) had 21 points in 34 games for the Roughriders after putting up 18 points in 30 games for Wichita Falls of the NAHL. … A 2013 Vermont commit.
In addition, left wing Stefan Matteau, who played for the San Jose Jr. Sharks as a Mite, was rated 17th among North American skaters on the final rankings. The 6-2, 210-pounder also plays for the USNTDP.
And defenseman Josh Hanson, who played for the LA Selects Midget 16U AAA team in 2009-10, climbed to 102nd in the final rankings after being 149th at mid-term. The 6-2, 199-pounder had 13 assists for Portland of the WHL.
Chris Bayee's Hockey Blog 