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Ahac picked for Top Prospects Game

Layton Ahac has gotten further confirmation of his status as one of the best young junior A hockey players in Canada.
ahac
Defenceman Layton Ahac of the Prince George Spruce Kings carries the puck away from Logan Shaw of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks during an October game at Rolling Mix Concrete Arena. Ahac has been named to Team Canada West for the CJHL Top Prospects Game. – Citizen file photo

Layton Ahac has gotten further confirmation of his status as one of the best young junior A hockey players in Canada.

Ahac, a 17-year-old defenceman for the Prince George Spruce Kings, was named Tuesday to the CJHL Top Prospects Game, which will be held Jan. 22 in Okotoks, Alta. He'll be on Team Canada West in the contest against Team Canada East, a showcase event that will serve as a magnet for NHL scouts. Players who landed roster spots for the game were selected by NHL Central Scouting and are considered the top 40 CJHL prospects for the 2019 draft in Vancouver.

Ahac, from North Vancouver, has been tabbed as a potential second- or third-round pick in the draft. He's also fresh off an appearance in the World Junior A Challenge in Bonnyville, Alta., where he won a bronze medal as part of Team Canada West. In the game for the medal, a 3-1 win against the Czech Republic, he had a pair of assists.

"We are proud of Layton on being named to the CJHL Top Prospects Game," said Spruce Kings head coach Adam Maglio in a Tuesday media release. "This is another well-deserved accolade for Layton. He had a great World Junior A Challenge and we look forward to watching him in another Canada-wide event."

Ahac is one of 11 B.C. Hockey League players on Team Canada West for the Top Prospects Game. The others are: defencemen - Jeremie Bucheler (Victoria); Jack Judson (Vernon); Mason Snell (Penticton); forwards - Harrison Blaisdell (Chilliwack); Alexander Campbell (Victoria); Ethan Leyh (Langley); Alex Newhook (Victoria); Massimo Rizzo (Penticton); Alex Swetlikoff (Vernon); and Kevin Wall (Chilliwack).

Team Canada West is rounded out by talent from the Alberta Junior Hockey League, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and Manitoba Junior Hockey League.

Ahac is in his second BCHL season with the Spruce Kings. In 31 games, he has 17 assists. In 57 games as a rookie last season, he had six goals and 23 helpers.

Ahac is committed to Ohio State University (NCAA Division 1) for 2019-20.

The Spruce Kings, first overall in the BCHL with a 24-9-1-2 record, will face the Langley Rivermen (16-18-1-0) on Thursday night in Langley and will wrap up the 2018 portion of their schedule with a Friday game in Surrey against the Eagles (8-25-1-2).