Three Rockets listed on NHL Central Scouting’s final ranking of N.A. skaters
Three Kelowna Rockets players have been listed on NHL Central Scouting’s final ranking of North American skaters for the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX. on June 22-23.
Forward Kyle Topping, defenceman Libor Zabransky, and forward Leif Mattson all made the list released on Monday morning.
18-year-old Topping just concluded his second full season with the Rockets. In 125 regular season games so far, the Salt Spring Island, B.C. native has recorded 36 goals and 58 assists for 94 points. His 22 goals this season placed him fifth on the Rockets in goals, and his 65 points made him fifth in points on the Rockets roster. The skilled forward has also added two goals and four assists for six points in 19 playoff games thus far, including two goals and three assists for five points in four post season games this season. Topping is ranked at number 59 on the NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings of North American skaters.
17-year-old Zabransky just completed his rookie campaign with Kelowna after being selected 51st overall by the Rockets in the 2017 CHL Import Draft. In his first year in the WHL the Brno, Czech Republic native was one of two players on the Rockets roster to play all 72 regular season games. The smooth-skating defenceman notched two goals and added 17 assists for 19 points in his first season. Zabransky is ranked 115th on NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings.
18-year-old Mattson just finished his second season with the Rockets. After his rights were acquired via trade in October of 2016 from the Brandon Wheat Kings, Mattson has played in 109 regular season games for Kelowna scoring 34 goals and 40 assists for 74 points. Playing in 63 games this season, his 25 goals were fourth most on the Rockets roster behind only Carsen Twarynski(45), Kole Lind(39), and Dillon Dube(38). His 60 points ranked him sixth in team scoring. The Stonewall, MB native is ranked 157th among North American skaters on the NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings.
For more info and full ranking list click here: https://atnhl.com/2H2QUB8
