Draft Lists

Draft List Release Schedule

• January 15: 1992 and 1993 birth year players from the United States
• January 23: 1992 and 1993 birth year players from Ontario, Canada
• February 24: 1991 birth year players from the United States**

** Will also feature adjustments made to the 1992 and 1993 birth year lists from the United States and Ontario, Canada.

Over the weeks and months to come, USHL Central Scouting will be releasing our USHL Central Scouting Draft Lists and Rankings for American players in the 1991, 1992 and 1993 birth years as well as Ontario players born in 1992 and 1993. Before doing so, I would like to make potential USHL/NCAA recruits aware of the procedure on how we will release the lists, and offer some facts for players looking to make the jump from AAA youth hockey to the four highest leagues of junior hockey in North America -- the USHL, OHL, WHL and QMJHL which are the USHL, OHL, WHL and QMJHL. I will do so in a FAQ form.

1) What is USHL Central Scouting?

USHL Central Scouting is a USHL league office operated scouting service that serves all 13 USHL (12 current teams and 1 future member) - acting as a support arm for the member teams' scouting staffs. USHL Central Scouting employs a staff of more than 20 scouts throughout the United States and Ontario, Canada, instructed to identify the top players and then pass this information along with evaluations and contact information onto member teams.

USHL Central Scouting also informs and educates top recruits on the USHL Central Scouting Draft List about the facts regarding junior, college and pro hockey so that young players in grades 9-11 (freshmen to juniors) can make informed and educated decisions about their educational and athletic futures.

2) How does USHL Central Scouting arrive at what players are on the USHL Central Scouting lists?

The staff of USHL Central Scouting constantly watches games beginning at the USA Hockey Select Festivals and then regular season, playoff and tournament play throughout the 2007-08 season. If our scouts feel a player has the potential to one day play in the USHL and then go on to NCAA Division I hockey, he is added to the draft list.

Some players will be added right at the beginning of the 2007-08 season and others could be added at the end of the season. Nothing should be read into when a player is added because some players are not seen until later in the year.

It should also be noted that in the eyes of USHL Central Scouting, some players have a greater chance of going onto the USHL and NCAA Division I hockey then others on the list. Thus, USHL Central Scouting will rank the players who made the list at three separate times throughout the year; once in January, again in March and finally in early May, just prior to the USHL Draft.

3) On USHL Draft day who makes the draft selections?

The USHL's 13 member teams do. Each USHL member team has their own scouting staffs. They form their own opinions, with the help of USHL Central Scouting and the USHL Central Scouting list.

4) Will 1992 and 1993 players make an impact in the USHL, OHL, WHL or QMJHL in 2008-09?

There are rare exceptions, but for the most part 1992's and 1993's will make no impact at all at the top levels of junior hockey. Junior hockey teams win games and championships with primarily 17 to 20 year-old players.

5) Why are the four Tier I junior leagues in North America recruiting 1992 and 1993 players this year, if outside of the rare exception, they can't make an impact at the top levels of junior hockey until the 2009/2010 season?

There is a competition for players.

6) What advice does USHL Central Scouting have for 1992 and 1993 birth year players for the 2007/2008 season?

Always keep a level head and do not get swept up in the hype that recruiting brings. Worry only about the things you can control which are your conditioning, your hockey skills, your team and your education.

7) What advice does the USHL have for most 1992 and 1993 birth year players for the 2008/2009 season?

Play at the highest level of hockey you can where you will get a regular shift, not the promise of a regular shift.

Second, play in an environment that will put your education first and your hockey a close second.

Third, keep your NCAA option open. Given that basically no 1992 or 1993 will make an impact at the highest level of junior hockey in 2008/2009, think long and hard before you play any Canadian Major Junior games in the OHL, WHL or QMJHL. Once a player takes part in one Canadian Major Junior game, he has surrendered his chances of playing NCAA Division I hockey. Given that most players don't enter the NHL full-time until they are 22-years-old, there is no reason a career decision has to be made at 14 or 15. Don't make a decision that will have a significant impact on your future until you at least 17-years-old.

Draft Lists

• USA 1991
• USA 1992
• USA 1993
• Ontario 1992
• Ontario 1993

Bob Turow
Director, USHL Central Scouting and Recruiting
President, Prospects Tournaments Inc.

For more information contact Bob Turow, Director of USHL Central Scouting and Recruiting, at 519-893-6005 or send a message.