GENEVA, ILLINOIS — The NHL Central Scouting Preliminary Watch List for the 2023 NHL Draft, released Tuesday, includes seven current Chicago Steel players, the most among independent USHL clubs, and one alumnus, Adam Fantilli, currently playing NCAA hockey.
"We're proud to have seven current players and one alumnus named to the NHL Central Scouting list," said Steel head coach and general manager Mike Garman. "Our players are constantly working to become NHL-caliber players and it's nice to see their hard work and effort be recognized. This is just the beginning for these eight skaters and numerous other Steel draft-eligible players not yet recognized."
Players are rated A, B or C with A-rated players slated as possible First Round picks, B-rated players as possible Second or Third round selections, and C-rated players possible Fourth, Fifth, Sixth or Seventh Round selections. The Central Scouting Watch List will be updated during the 2022-2023 season ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft.
The players listed by NHL Central Scouting on the current Steel roster are as follows (alphabetical):
· 'C' Rating – Chris Able
o Hometown – Libertyville, IL, USA
o Defenseman
o 6'2'' 198 lbs.
o 2022-2023 Stats: 10 Games Played, 2 Points (1G, 1A)
o College Commitment – Ohio State University
o Currently in second season with the Steel
· 'C' Rating – Leo Eperjesi
o Hometown – Kosice, Slovakia
o Defenseman
o 6'4'' 193 lbs.
o 2022-2023 Stats: 8 Games Played, 2 Points (2A)
o College Commitment – University of Maine
o Currently in first season with the Steel
· 'C' Rating – Michael Hagens
o Hometown – Hauppauge, NY, USA
o Defenseman
o 5'11'' 168 lbs.
o 2022-2023 Stats: 10 Games Played
o College Commitment – Harvard University
o Currently in first season with the Steel
· 'C' Rating – Jack Harvey
o Hometown – Stacy, MN, USA
o Forward
o 5'10'' 176 lbs.
o 2022-2023 Stats: 10 Games Played, 11 Points (5G, 6A)
o College Commitment – Boston University
o Currently in third season with the Steel
o Member of the 2021 Clark Cup Championship team
· 'C' Rating – Cameron Johnson
o Hometown – Vancouver, BC, CAN
o Forward
o 5'8'' 155 lbs.
o 2022-2023 Stats: 10 Games Played, 7 Points (2G, 5A)
o College Commitment – Harvard University
o Currently in first season with the Steel
· 'C' Rating – Jake Livanavage
o Hometown – Gilbert, AZ, USA
o Defenseman
o 5'11'' 175 lbs.
o 2021-2022 Stats: 10 Games Played, 5 Points (1G, 4A)
o College Commitment – University of North Dakota
o Currently in third season with the Steel
o Member of the 2021 Clark Cup Championship team
· 'C' Rating – Jayden Perron
o Hometown – Winnipeg, MB, CAN
o Forward
o 5'9'' 160 lbs.
o 2022-2023 Stats: 10 Games Played, 15 Points (4G, 11A)
o 2021-2022 USHL All-Rookie Second Team
o College Commitment – University of North Dakota
o Currently in second season with the Steel
There is one Steel alum listed by NHL Central Scouting, as follows:
· 'A' Rating – Adam Fantilli
o Hometown – Nobleton, ON, CAN
o Forward
o 6'2'' 195 lbs.
o Steel 2020-2022
o Career USHL Stats – 103 Games Played, 110 Points (55G, 55A)
o Career USHL Honors – 2021-2022: USHL First All-Star Team; 2020-2021: USHL All-Rookie Second Team, Clark Cup Champion, Clark Cup Playoffs MVP
o Current Team: University of Michigan (NCAA)
The full NHL Central Scouting 2022-2023 Preliminary Watch List can be accessed here.
Over the past three NHL Drafts, the Steel have totaled the most draft picks of any independent junior team in the world.
In total, the United States Hockey League has 82 players with USHL ties named on the Preliminary List including 69 current players.
Chicago Steel games may be streamed on FloHockey at FloHockey.com (Subscription required) and video may be streamed on available devices through Mixlr.com and the Mixlr app (Free audio).
Chicago Steel Upcoming Schedule presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:
Saturday, October 29 at Green Bay Gamblers (7:05 pm CT)
Friday, November 4 vs. Green Bay Gamblers (7:05 pm CT) Elvis Night
Saturday, November 5 vs. Madison Capitols (7:05 pm CT) Wayne's World 30th Anniversary Night | Post-Game Skate with the Steel
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