Northern BC could be well represented in next year’s NHL draft.
NHL Central Scouting’s Preliminary Players to watch list released today, two Cougars forwards and two players from northern BC found themselves named.
Cougars forwards Riley Heidt and Koehn Ziemmer are both rated highly.
Heidt is ranked as an “A” – a projected first round candidate.
He has 12 points in 10 games so far this season (4g, 8a), including four assists in his last two games.
Heidt has been ranked 14th in the upcoming draft according to the Daily Faceoff’s early draft rankings, posted in early October.
His linemate, Koehn Ziemmer, is ranked as a “B” – a projected second or third round pick.
Ziemmer leads the Cougars in points and goals, he has 17 points in just 10 games (7g, 10a).
He is sitting fourth place in overall league scoring, third of all players in their first draft eligible year across the CHL, and is in a four way tie for second in powerplay goals.
Ziemmer is listed as the Daily Faceoff’s top notable player outside their projected first round, though other rankings have had him as high as the mid first round alongside Heidt.
Prince George local Nico Myatovic has been ranked a “C” – a fourth to sixth round candidate.
The forward has seven points in eight games (3g, 4a) with the Seattle Thunderbirds so far this year. Last season he scored 28 in 67 (4g, 24a).
He was a part of the Cariboo Cougars program from 2018-2021.
Myatovic will return to Prince George this weekend with the undefeated Thunderbirds for a doubleheader against the Cougars on Friday and Saturday.
Terrell Goldsmith, a Fort St. James product, has also been ranked at “C.”
He has been playing with the Prince Albert Raiders, where he has two goals in 13 games so far. The defenceman also has 31 penalty minutes in that time.
Last season in 47 games to had four points and 40 pims.
You can find the full rankings list here.