16 Minnesotans on Central Scouting 2021 Draft Watch List

NHL Central Scouting released their Watch List for the 2021 NHL Draft. There are 16 Minnesotans on the list, headlined by the talented Chaz Lucius, a University of Minnesota recruit and current member of the NTDP U-18 Team. Lucius was given an ‘A’ ranking by Central Scouting, meaning he’s considered as a potential first round pick.  Lucius has not played so far this season as he’s sidelined with a lower body injury.  

Jack Peart was rated as a ‘C’ Player on the preliminary list released back in October but is now listed as a ‘B’ Player to Watch. His impressive play with Fargo of the USHL showed he can play at a higher level with success. Peart is currently back playing at Grand Rapids High School. Connor Kelley, Charlie Laurie, and Connor Kurth are Minnesota prospects that are new to the list. All are rated as ‘C’ rated players.

The Minnesota rankings are standard as there tends to be 15-20 players on the list annually.  Connor Kelley of UMD (Maple Grove) is the only Minnesotan that is an “over-ager” on the list, as he was not selected in the 2020 NHL Draft. Kelley has displayed his shutdown defense on the Bulldog blueline this season. 

‘A’ Players to Watch DOB TEAM 
Chaz Lucius 5/02/2003 NTDP U-18 
‘B’ Players to Watch DOB TEAM 
Tristan Broz 10/10/2002 Fargo (USHL) 
Justin Janicke 6/30/2003 NTDP U-18 
Luke Mittelstadt 1/22/2003 Eden Prairie HS 
Jack Peart 5/13/2003 Grand Rapids HS 
‘C’ Players to Watch DOB TEAM 
Cade Ahrenholz 11/30/2002 Lakeville South HS 
Jackson Blake 8/3/2003 Chicago (USHL) 
Connor Kelley 1/30/2002 UMD (NCAA) 
Kyle Kukkonen 11/13/2002 Maple Grove HS 
Connor Kurth 7/30/2003 Dubuque (USHL) 
Luke Levandowski 9/26/2002 Rosemount HS 
Charlie Laurie 3/11/2003 Shattuck St. Mary’s 
Henty Nelson 3/25/2003 Maple Grove HS 
Joe Palodichuk 2/26/2003 Hill-Murray HS 
Joey Pierce 10/2/2002 Hermantown HS 
Bennett Schimek 4/15/2003 Sioux City (USHL)