January 14, 2004
Central Scouting Releases Mid-Term Rankings

The NHL's Central Scouting Service has released its mid-season rankings of the top players eligible for the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. The rankings list North American and European players separately, as well as separating goalies from skaters (forwards and defensemen).

Michigan's Al Montoya is the top-rated North American goaltender, while North Dakota forward Drew Stafford, at No. 9, leads all college players on the North American skaters list. College players make up six of the top 29 players on the North American skaters list.

The North American lists rank 240 skaters and 40 goalies, all playing in the U.S. and Canada. In addition to college players the list features draft-eligible major junior players, as well as a number of college-bound high school, prep and junior players

Eight of the 18 collegians in the rankings, including each of the top four, were born after Sept. 15, 1985, meaning that they would have to "opt-in" to next summer's draft in order to be selected. Players who have already enrolled in school forfeit their NCAA eligibility if they opt in to the draft (junior players, on the other hand, can opt in and retain their eligibility).