GRAND FORKS, ND: The central scouting branch of the National Hockey League announced its final rankings today, and the USHL enjoyed its most successful ranking to date. A total of 210 skaters and 30 goaltenders from North America were ranked, a number that doesn’t include players from Europe who are ranked separately. Of the 210, 31 current USHL skaters and two current goaltenders made the list. Additionally, ten players listed on USHL team affiliate lists and two former USHL players were also ranked.

The 2007 NHL Draft will be held in Columbus, Ohio on June 22-23. The first round will be conducted the evening of the 22nd with rounds two through seven taking place on the 23rd.

"For years the USHL has been known as the foremost producer of talent for the NCAA. But over the course of the past few years we’ve seen a dramatic increase in the number of players being drafted by NHL teams, signing contracts with NHL teams and eventually playing for NHL teams," said USHL president Gino Gasparini. "Players are beginning to figure out that they can play at a high level in our league and it can get them to the NHL. The players ranked this year are the next generation of players in that progression." Sioux City forward Max Pacioretty, the Official Game Puck/USHL Rookie of the Year is the highest ranked skater in the league, coming in at #16. Pacioretty appeared in all 60 games for the Musketeers and scored 21 goals and assisted on 42 more, tying him for tenth in the league.

Three other USHL players are ranked in the top 30 - Omaha defenseman Nick Petrecki at 21, Tri-City forward Patrick White at 23 and Lincoln defenseman Colby Cohen at 25. The top 30 is significant. With 30 teams in the league, it represents players that could be selected in the draft’s first round (the numbers will change when the European skaters are factored into the equation). If the four were to go in the first round it would be the highest number of USHL players ever taken in the opening round. Three players went in round one in 2000 and again in 2005.

Des Moines’ Ben Ryan, ranked 37th, rounds out the five USHL players in the top 50.

Omaha led the way with six players ranked. Lincoln and Sioux Falls had five apiece and Waterloo had four. Indiana was the only team without a current player ranked, but they led the way in the affiliate category with four players listed.

NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings – USHL Players
16-Max Pacioretty (Sioux City)
21-Nick Petrecki (Omaha)
23-Patrick White (Tri-City)
25-Colby Cohen (Lincoln)
37-Ben Ryan (Des Moines)
57-Brad Malone (Sioux Falls)
65-Jake Hansen (Sioux Falls)
86-Drew Leblanc (Chicago)
92-John Lee (Waterloo)
97-Travis Erstad (Lincoln)
99-Blake Kessel (Waterloo)
101-Aaron Palushaj (Des Moines)
109-Nick Larson (Omaha)
114-Corey Tropp (Sioux Falls)
118-Jordy Christian (Sioux Falls)
119-Jack Downing (Omaha)
123-Robin Bergman (Cedar Rapids)
128-Calle Ridderwall (Tri-City)
130-Taylor Matson (Des Moines)
132-Jeff Foss (Sioux Falls)
134-Tristin Llewellyn (Tri-City)
136-Joe Beaudette (Omaha)
143-Barry Almeida (Omaha)
145-Jason Gregoire (Lincoln)
147-Danny Hobbs (Ohio)
149-Andrew Conboy (Omaha)
152-Baylor Dieter (Green Bay)
158-Billy Maday (Waterloo)
161-Tommy Wingels (Cedar Rapids)
200-Carter Camper (Lincoln)
207-Josh Turnbull (Waterloo)

NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings – USHL Goaltenders
12-Kent Patterson (Cedar Rapids)
18-Bryan Hogan (Lincoln)

NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings – USHL Affiliate Players
12-Tommy Cross (Ohio)
56-Nico Sacchetti (Indiana)
87-Andrew Glass (Ohio)
100-Paul Carey (Indiana)
105-C.J. Severyn (Ohio)
116-Ben Blood (Des Moines)
140-Tyler Kiefer (Lincoln)
179-Brennan Vargas (Indiana)
210-Ryan McKiernan (Des Moines)

NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings – USHL Affiliate Goaltenders
10-Reid Ellingson (Chicago)
22-John Muse (Indiana)

Former Sioux City forward Sam Gagner, currently playing with the London Knights of the OHL is ranked sixth overall. Former Sioux Falls goaltender John Murray, currently of the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL is 19th among North American goaltenders.

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