NAHL boasts several “Players to Watch”
By Matt Mackinder –
The National Hockey League feels potential future stars of the league are playing this year in the North American Hockey League.
Eleven league players, including two in-state skaters, were recognized on the NHL Central Scouting Bureau’s “Players to Watch” list for 2012 draft-eligibles released on Oct. 21.
Players from the NAHL on the list include Michigan Warriors defenseman Derek O’Flynn, Traverse City forward Kyle Schempp, Wichita Falls forwards Dennis Kravchenko and Adam Wilcox, Corpus Christi defenseman Christopher Taff and goaltender Anthony Stolarz, Dawson Creek defenseman Luke Ripley, Aberdeen forward Cory Ward, Coulee Region forward Jakob Batcha, Alexandria goaltender Jameson Shortreed and Alaska defenseman Chris Buchanan.
“When I first heard that I was on the list, I was very excited and it was a good feeling knowing that I’m getting some recognition from the NHL for all my the hard work I have put in so far,” Schempp said. “For the next set of rankings, I would love to improve but most importantly, just keep playing consistently and working hard because if I know if I do that, I will able to be successful and I will reach my goals.”
For Kravchenko, a California native and University of Vermont recruit, he was a bit humbled by seeing his name on the list.
“It was kind of a shock, but at the same time, a lot of people told me that I would be (recognized),” Kravchenko said. “My goal has always been to be in the NHL, so all I can do is work as hard as I can and be the best that I can.”
O’Flynn learned of his name on the watch list from what he originally thought was an unreliable source.
“My initial feeling when I found out I was on the list was disbelief,” O’Flynn said. “A teammate told me while we were packing the bus for Kalamazoo and I didn’t believe him. I called my dad to make sure my teammate wasn’t just messing with me and sure enough, he wasn’t. At that point, I was very happy and proud of myself.”
Central Scouting will release its midseason rankings in January, followed by its final rankings in April.
The 2012 NHL Entry Draft will be the 50th edition of the event and will be held on June 22-23, 2012 at the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh.
CURTALE STANDS ALONE
Texas Tornado head coach Tony Curtale became the winningest coach in U.S. junior hockey history on Oct. 27 as the Tornado topped New Mexico, 4-0, for Curtale’s 530th regular season win, topping the former record of 529 held by longtime USHL coach Mike Hastings.
“I think this record is more a reflection of the players that I have had a chance to coach,” Curtale said. “There have been some really good ones. You remember those who make it to the NHL and the NCAA, but you also remember the ones that go onto become doctors, Wall Street bankers, or the guy who moved on to help run the family business after they were done playing hockey. It makes it all worthwhile for me when I hear about how well they are doing and how their time in junior hockey helped mold them into who they are today and that I had a little something to do with that.”
ONWARD AND UPWARD
Recent NCAA D-I commitments from the NAHL — Coulee Region captain Eric Drapluk has committed to Lake Superior State, Traverse City defenseman Chris Leibinger will play at Michigan Tech, Wenatchee forward Kyle Vogel picked Army, Topeka defenseman Chris Bond committed to Connecticut and New Mexico forward Adam Chapie chose Massachusetts-Lowell.