14 recognized by NHL Central Scouting

January 9, 2008

Fourteen (14) players with North American Hockey League ties were recognized by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau on its midterm rankings of 2008 draft-eligibles released on Jan. 9.

Second-year Mahoning Valley Phantoms defenseman Eric Ringel is listed No. 163rd overall among North American skaters. This season, the University of Notre Dame recruit from Hinckley, Ohio, has four goals for 16 points in 25 games.

Nine players from the U.S. Under-18 Team are ranked, including forwards Danny Kristo (40th overall among North American skaters), Jimmy Hayes (65th), Robby Czarnik (116th), Justin Florek (121st); Vinny Saponari (122nd), David Wohlberg (189th) and Grant Scott (192nd); and defensemen David Warsofsky (103rd) and Ryan Grimshaw (210th).

Three U.S Under-18 Team goaltenders are recognized: Joe Cannata (21st overall among North American goaltenders), Mike Clemente (22nd) and Nick Maricic (27th).

Former National Team Development Program forward Colin Wilson, now a freshman at Boston University, is ranked ninth overall among North American skaters.

NHL Central Scouting will release its final rankings in April prior to the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, which will be held on June 21-22 in Ottawa.