No change for Warriors listed in most recent NHL Central Scouting rankings

With no games to show just how much players have progressed in the Western Hockey League, the most recent National Hockey League Central Scouting Player to Watch rankings saw little change for the Moose Jaw Warriors.

That means Warriors forward Ryder Korczak remains an ‘A’ level prospect and is therefore still projected to go in the first round of the NHL Draft, which is projected to take place July 23-24, one month later than the normal day of days for young prospects.

Korczak is one of six WHL players to receive the top ranking, joining Edmonton’s Sebastian Cossa and Dylan Guenther, Winnipeg’s Carson Lambos, Seattle’s Conner Roulette and Medicine Hat’s Cole Sillinger.

Korczak got off to an outstanding start to the 2019-20 campaign, putting up two goals and 10 points in his first five games to hold the WHL scoring lead heading into October. All told, he’d cap the campaign with 18 goals and 67 points in 62 games, leading the Warriors in scoring.

The Canadian Hockey League website recently chatted with Korczak about his off-season and upcoming draft prospects as part of their five-question Sunday Spotlight feature, touching on what it’s like to be recognized as a top-ranked prospect.

“The recognition is awesome, but the WHL is a tough league to play in,” Korczak answered. “There are gritty teams, skill teams, and there are unbelievable players in the WHL. To be recognized as one of the top prospects is definitely an honour. But the work is just starting now. I feel that I have so much more to display this coming season and I cannot wait to share it with you guys.”

Korczak wasn’t the only member of the local squad listed.

First-round Bantam draft pick Eric Alarie (7-14-21) and defenceman Cole Jordan (1-6-7) both received ‘C’ ratings, as did first-round Import Draft pick Martin Rysavy (15-20-35 with three Czech Republic teams). A ‘C’ ranking indicates a fourth- to sixth-round selection.

Rysavy is the only ranked player with Moose Jaw connections currently playing, as he’s taking the ice with his hometown HC Prerov in the Czech Republic First League -- the second-tier level of men’s hockey in the country after the Extraliga -- and has three goals and seven points in 11 games. Rysavy also suited up for six games with Vitkovice in the Extraliga but was held without a point.

Warriors 2019 Import Draft first round pick Jesper Wallstedt of Sweden is also an ‘A’ ranked prospect after suiting up for his country at the 2021 World Junior Hockey Championship earlier this month.

Only the Brandon Wheat Kings, Prince Albert Raiders, Portland Winterhawks, Red Deer Rebels and Seattle Thunderbirds also had three current players listed.

You can check out the complete list right here.