Pistons’ Thiessen top ranked CJHL netminder by NHL Central Scouting

Steinbach Pistons’ goaltender Matt Thiessen is the top ranked CJHL netminder in the mid-term rankings by the National Hockey League Central Scouting for the 2018 NHL Draft this June in Dallas.

Thiessen, 17, is one of 20 CJHL players ranked by Central Scouting. The native of Altona is having an outstanding season, reflected in his 20-3 record and league-leading GAA of 2.00. He also has two shutouts this season.

Recently, Thiessen was named the CJHL’s Gongshow Gear 3rd star for December, in addition to being named the MGEU MJHL Goaltender of the Month for December. Thiessen, 6-foot-2, 195-pounds, also recently committed to University of Maine where he’ll join fellow MJHL alumni Brady Keeper (OCN).

Topping the CJHL contingent among North American skaters is Toronto Jr. Canadiens (OJHL) centre Jack McBain, who was slotted 29th overall.

He was followed by defenceman Stanislav Demin of the Wenatchee Wild (BCHL) at No. 32.

Others in the Top 100 include a trio of blueliners in Jonathon Tychonick of the Penticton Vees (BCHL), Jacob Bernard-Docker of the Okotoks Oilers (AJHL) and Seth Barton of the Trail Smoke Eaters (BCHL) who were ranked 45th, 62nd and 81st respectively.

Of the group of 20 on this list, 19 of them were selected, in conjunction with NHL Central Scouting, to compete in the CJHL Prospects Game, which goes Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET at Port Credit Memorial Arena in Mississauga, Ont.

The following is the list of CJHL players and goaltenders on the NHL Central Scouting mid-term draft rankings:

SKATERS

RANK PLAYER POS. CJHL TEAM LEAGUE
29 Jack McBain C Toronto Jr. Canadiens OJHL
32 Stanislav Demin D Wenatchee Wild BCHL
45 Jonathon Tychonick D Penticton Vees BCHL
62 Jacob Bernard-Docker D Okotoks Oilers AJHL
81 Seth Barton D Trail Smoke Eaters BCHL
105 Sean Comrie D Spruce Grove Saints AJHL
115 Maxwell Crozier D Nanaimo Clippers BCHL
138 Brendan Budy LW Langley Rivermen BCHL
139 Angus Crookshank LW Langley Rivermen BCHL
146 Brett Stapley C Vernon Vipers BCHL
154 Ethan De Jong RW Prince George Spruce Kings BCHL
175 Josh Prokop C Vernon Vipers BCHL
178 Matthew Kelleberger D Oakville Blades OJHL
185 Mason Snell D Wellington Dukes OJHL
196 Dustyn McFaul D Pickering Panthers OJHL
212 Ethan Manderville C Ottawa Jr. A Senators CCHL
214 Austin Wong C Okotoks Oilers AJHL
GOALTENDERS
RANK GOALTENDER POS. CJHL TEAM LEAGUE
11 Matt Thiessen G Steinbach Pistons MJHL
23 Adam Scheel G Penticton Vees BCHL
30 Jett Alexander G North York Rangers