New Hope, Minn. – Five of the top 25 players on the National Hockey League’s Central Scouting Service (CSS) final rankings are former players in the Upper Midwest High School Elite League.
CSS released its final pre-draft rankings today, and Shattuck-St. Mary’s Emerson Etem – currently playing with Medicine Hat in the Western Hockey League – is ranked #8 on the North American Skaters list. Just behind him at #9 is Derek Forbort of Duluth East – currently playing with the National Team Development Program – and Blaine High School’s Nick Bjugstad at #13. Rounding out the top 25 are Tyler Pitlick of MSU-Mankato at #18 and Warroad’s Brock Nelson at #25.
Other current Minnesota high school players in the top 50 are Mark Alt of Cretin-Derham Hall at #37, and Minnetonka teammates Justin Holl (#47) and Max Gardiner (#49).
Zane Gothberg of Thief River Falls is #6 on the North American goaltender list.
“It’s gratifying to see that Central Scouting recognizes the talent that competes in the Elite League, and we’re very excited for these players,” said John Russo, founder and Commissioner of the Elite League. “The Elite League will continue to work hard to provide young hockey players with an environment in which they can improve and display their skills as part of moving on to the next level.”
In last June’s NHL Entry Draft, 17 Elite League players were selected, including first-round choices Nick Leddy (#16 by the Minnesota Wild) and Jordan Schroeder (#22 by Vancouver). This year’s NHL draft will take place June 25-26 in Los Angeles.
A complete list of Elite League players on the CSS list is attached.
The Upper Midwest High School Elite Hockey League is a non-profit hockey league designed to provide high-level competition supplementing the regular high school hockey season. For more information, and draft-day updates, visit the league’s website at www.hselitehockey.com.
Upper Midwest High School Elite League Players on NHL Central Scouting Service
Final Rankings List of April 7, 2010
| Rank | Name | Team | Pos |
| 9 | Derek Forbort | USA U-18 (Duluth East) | D |
| 13 | Nick Bjugstad | Blaine | C |
| 18 | Tyler Pitlick | MSU-Mankato (Centennial) | C |
| 25 | Brock Nelson | Warroad | C |
| 37 | Mark Alt | Cretin-Derham Hall | D |
| 47 | Justin Holl | Minnetonka | D |
| 49 | Max Gardiner | Minnetonka | C |
| 54 | Joe Basaraba | Shattuck-St. Mary's | RW |
| 81 | Jason Clark | Shattuck-St. Mary's | C, LW |
| 94 | Aaron Harstad | Green Bay (USHL) (Stevens Point HS, WI) | D |
| 104 | Max Gaede | Woodbury | RW |
| 109 | Caleb Herbert | Bloomington Jefferson | C |
| 118 | Joe Faust | Bloomington Jefferson | D |
| 145 | Brett Stern | Centennial | D |
| 165 | James Mullin | Shattuck-St. Mary's | RW, C |
| 166 | Christian Isackson | St. Thomas Academy | RW |
| 182 | Chris Casto | Hill-Murray | D |
| 187 | Tyson Fulton | Breck School | RW |
| 198 | Garrett Hendrickson | Virginia/MIB | C |
| 200 | James Polk | Shattuck-St. Mary's | RW |
| 205 | Andrew Prochno | Minnetonka | D |
