L-R: Kai Uchacz, Jace Weir, Charlie Wright. (Photos courtesy of the Red Deer Rebels and Saskatoon Blades)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Kai Uchacz And Jace Weir

Two Rebels named to NHL’s ‘Players to Watch’ list

Oct 21, 2021 | 2:27 PM

A pair of Red Deer Rebels and a Saskatoon Blade from central Alberta are among the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) 45 players that have been named to NHL Central Scouting’s ‘Preliminary Players to Watch’ List ahead of the 2022 NHL Draft.

The ‘Players to Watch’ list was issued this week by the NHL Central Scouting Service.

Rebels players on the list include centre Kai Uchacz from De Winton, AB and defenceman Jace Weir from Coldstream, B.C.. Saskatoon Blades defenceman Charlie Wright from Olds, AB is also on the list.

NHL Central Scouting identifies players with a rating system that includes four categories. The ‘A’ rating indicates players projected to be first-round candidates. The ‘B’ rating indicates players projected to be second- or third-round candidates, and the ‘C’ rating indicates players projected to be fourth-, fifth-, or sixth-round candidates.

Though no players received this designation, WHL officials say ‘LV’ represents a player who has not had sufficient viewings, due to injury.

Chad Krahn

Unofficial 2024 By-Election Results

10h ago

Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association

Lacombe farmer speaks at provincial conference about increasing rural crime and mental health strains

16h ago

April 23-May 2, 2024

Red Deer Public Schools set to launch Open House series

16h ago

Three WHL players earned ‘A’ ratings: Winnipeg ICE forwards Conor Geekie and Matt Savoie, and Moose Jaw Warriors defenceman Denton Mateychuk.

Five WHL players were given ‘B’ ratings, including Swift Current Broncos forward Josh Davies and Kamloops Blazers teammates Mats Lindgren and Fraser Minten. 37 WHL players received ‘C’ ratings, including Uchacz, Weir, and Wright.

Overall, 18 of 22 WHL Clubs are represented in the updated ‘Players to Watch’ List.

The Prince George Cougars, Seattle Thunderbirds and Swift Current Broncos all boast four players each to lead WHL Clubs.

Seven other WHL Clubs each have three players listed.

Four WHL Clubs are represented with two players on the list, while four further WHL Clubs have a single player on NHL Central Scouting’s list.

A total of 24 WHL forwards find themselves on the list, joined by 15 WHL defencemen, and six WHL goaltenders.