NHL Central Scouting released its final rankings for the 2021 NHL Draft on Thursday and the list features five players who participated in the 2020-21 BC Hockey League pod season. There are four skaters ranked and one goaltender.
The 2021 NHL Draft is set for July 23 (first round) and July 24 (second through seventh rounds). For the second straight year, the draft will be conducted virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chilliwack Chiefs forward Sasha Teleguine is the top-ranked BCHL player at 134th among North American skaters. The 2002-born centre from North Attleborough, MA had four goals and 18 points in 20 games as a rookie with the Chiefs this past season. He was named Chilliwack pod top rookie and is committed to Northeastern University for this September.
Victoria Grizzlies forward Ellis Rickwood is ranked 144th among North American skaters. The 2002-born uncommitted right wing was second in scoring during the pod season with 13 goals and 30 points in 20 games. The Brantford, ON product was voted BCHLNetwork rookie of the year and Island pod top rookie and most valuable player.
Salmon Arm Silverbacks forward Noah Serdachny comes in at 208th among North American skaters after putting up six goals and 24 points in 20 games this past season. His efforts earned him Vernon pod top rookie honours and a spot on the BCHLNetwork Third All-Star Team. The 2003-born Edmonton product hasn’t locked down an NCAA commitment as of this writing.
Silverbacks defenseman Joaquim Lemay slots in at 224th among North American skaters according to NHL Central Scouting. The 2002-born blueliner from St-Pierre-les-Becquets, QC notched 10 assists in 15 games for Salmon Arm during the pod season. He is set to begin his NCAA career this fall at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
Top-ranked goaltender and a notable alumnus
Trail Smoke Eaters goaltender Logan Terness is the 25th ranked North American goaltender in the final rankings. Terness, who’s headed to the University of Connecticut this fall, was 7-5-0 with a 2.76 goals-against-average, a .925 save percentage, and two shutouts during the pod season this spring. The 2002-born Burnaby, BC product was the 2019-20 BCHL rookie of the year.
Meanwhile, University of Michigan forward Kent Johnson (61 goals and 86 assists in 112 games with Trail from 2018-20) is listed as the third-ranked North American skater. Johnson, a sure-fire first-round pick from Port Moody, BC, had 27 points in 26 games as a freshman for Michigan this past season.
