The 2015 NHL draft is something Tyler Soy, who was the 78th-ranked North American skater, would like to wipe from his memory.
Passed over in June, the Victoria Royals forward will get another crack at it for the 2016 draft. The native of Cloverdale is listed on Central Scouting’s preliminary list, released Tuesday, of players to watch.
Soy and Royals defenceman Ralph Jarratt were given C ratings, which indicates fourth-, fifth- and sixth-round candidates. The rating of B indicates second- and third-round candidates and the rating of A is for first-round prospects.
Also given C listings from the WHL were Prince George Cougars blue-liner Josh Anderson from Duncan and defenceman Brendan De Jong of Victoria, the lone Portland Winterhawk listed.
“I’ve been through this process before and am more calm about it,” said Soy.
“It’s early in the season. There’s a lot work ahead.”
The Royals, facing a backup goaltender, lit up the Winterhawks for 10 goals in opening with 4-1 and 6-5 victories. But Soy had a disappointing opening weekend and failed to register a point while racking up a minus-2 rating.
“I personally didn’t have a great weekend, but the team did,” he acknowledged.
“I need to contribute and I have to step up and produce more offence. But it’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
The Royals can take heart that they can win without one of their most potent threats being a factor. But that can’t happen too often this season. The Royals need Soy accumulating points if they are to be successful.
“I have a bigger role this season,” noted Soy.
“I watched [2015 graduated] forwards like Austin Carroll and Brandon Magee stepping up more as they got older during their careers, and it’s something I want to do, as well.”
Jarratt’s progress, meanwhile, has been sure and steady since he made the Royals as a 16-year-old last season out of Fort St. John.
“This [draft listing] is a nice pat on the back, but it’s just the start,” said the six-foot-two blue-liner.
“I’m excited for what the future holds. I had to work hard to make the team last year at 16. I enter this second year [in the WHL] with more confidence.”
Jarratt made a crucial defensive move Saturday by clearing the puck off the Royals’ goal line in the third period against Portland. He also absolutely tattooed a shot from the point to the back of the Winterhawks net.
“My goal is to be a two-way defenceman and contribute offensively, as well,” he said.
“I worked on my shot over the summer. Part of it is that I’m stronger and heavier this season.”
The WHL has 40 players cited by Central Scouting, led by A-listers Tyler Benson of Vancouver, Maxime Lajoie of Swift Current, Sam Steel of Regina and Kale Clague of Brandon. The Prince Albert Raiders lead the WHL with five players listed.
Also in major-junior, the Ontario Hockey League has 57 players listed and the Quebec Major Junior League 34.
Perhaps in a sign of shifting times in hockey development, the U.S. Hockey League has 52 players listed for the 2016 NHL draft while U.S. high school hockey contributed 26 players to the preliminary rankings.
The B.C. Hockey League comes through with nine, including A-rated blue-chippers Dante Fabbro and Tyson Jost of the Penticton Vees. The lone Island Division player is C-rated Kyle Betts from the Powell River Kings. Overall, there are 19 Junior A players listed.
There are 103 players listed from European junior leagues, led by an impressive wave of 41 from Sweden compared to 29 for Russia.
The 2016 NHL draft is scheduled for June 24-25 at First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York.
Central Scouting will release two numbered rankings before then, at mid-season, followed by a final assessment at the end of the season.
ICE CHIPS: The opening-week accolades continue rolling in for Royals forward Alex Forsberg, who had seven points in the two games against Portland. The 20-year-old was named CHL player of the week Tuesday, following his WHL player-of-the-week award announced Monday.
