July 22, 2005
Central Scouting Releases Final Rankings

With the official announcement of next weekend's NHL Draft, the NHL's Central Scouting Service has released its final rankings of the top eligible players. The rankings list North American and European players separately, as well as separating goalies from skaters (forwards and defensemen).

Jack Johnson, a defenseman headed to Michigan next season, heads all college or college-bound players on the list at fourth among North American skaters, up one spot from the Mid-Term Rankings. Jack Skille, a forward headed to Wisconsin who played with Johnson at the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, checks in at No. 11.

Boston College forward Dan Bertram is the top-rated returning college player at No. 36 among North American skaters, edging out Cornell's Sasha Pokulok (No. 39), who dropped nine spots since the Mid-Term Rankings.

The North American lists rank 250 skaters and 30 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.