NEWS

Today NHL Central Scouting unveiled their preliminary rankings for the 2013 NHL Draft and three OJHL players were ranked on the list. Matt Buckles of the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots headlined the group with a ‘B’ Ranking, followed closely by Bryson Cianfrone of the Toronto Jr. Canadiens and Chad Duchesne of the Kingston Voyageurs, who both were listed as ‘C’ Ranked. Along with the three players, six OJHL graduates who have moved on to different clubs, were also ranked by Central Scouting.

MATT BUCKLES (F) - (pictured - photo credit:  Mike Ivall/OJHL Images)
ST. MICHAEL’S BUZZERS
The 6’1”, 204 lbs. native of Toronto, Ontario joined the Buzzers this season after an off-season trade from the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots where he starred as a 16-year old. Buckles tasted instant success in 2011-12 with the Patriots, recording 15 goals and 36 points to finish seventh in scoring on the club. He would notch another 11 points in 21 playoff games, while gaining invaluable experience during the Pats playoff run to the South-East Conference Final. Other successes last season included a spot on Team East at the CJHL Prospects Game series held in Langley, B.C., as well as being a member of the OJHL South Division All-Stars at the inaugural Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge held in Smiths Falls, Ontario. Thus far this season, Buckles has showed a playmaking ability, recording assists in all five games he has played, along with six points to sit tied for third on the club in scoring. Last season Buckles confirmed his commitment to join the Cornell University Big Red beginning with the 2013-14 season.

CHAD DUCHESNE (D)
KINGSTON VOYAGEURS
Another 16-year old rookie last season that tasted instant success and would play regular minutes for his club, Chad Duchesne would finish second on the Voyageurs in scoring from the blueline with 3 goals and 17 points in 41 games played. The 5’11”, 170 lbs. native of Kingston would continue his success throughout the playoffs as the Vees surprised many by marching to the East Division Final. Duchesne would notch another four points in fifteen playoff contests. The rearguard would also join Buckles as a member of Team East at the CJHL Prospect Game series and was a member of the South Division All-Stars at the Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge. This season, Duchesne is counted on to be one of the pillars on the Kingston back-end and has already notched two points in just five games played. Most recently, he confirmed a commitment to join the Northeastern University Huskies beginning with the 2015-16 season.

BRYSON CIANFRONE (F)
TORONTO JR. CANADIENS
Another up-and-coming star from the 2011-12 season was Bryson Cianfrone, a 5’9”, 170 lbs. native of Stoney Creek, Ontario. Cianfrone made the jump to junior hockey as a member of the Oakville Blades, but following a slow start that would see him notch one goal and seven points in 14 games played, the forward was moved to the Toronto Jr. Canadiens. While with the Canadiens, his play would improve and by season’s end, he was one of the club’s go-to guys, finishing out the year with 21 points in 29 games and 28 points overall to finish sixth on the club in scoring. He would notch another 7 points in 10 playoff games and joined Buckles as a member of the South Division All-Stars at the Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge. Cianfrone is committed to join the University of Michigan Wolverines beginning with the 2013-14 season.

Also ranked by NHL Central Scouting were six graduates of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, as follows:

Justin Scott (Burlington Cougars) – Scott played his full rookie season as a member of the Cougars, finishing fourth on the club in scoring with 14 goals and 35 points before joining the Barrie Colts this season.

Conor McGlynn (Oakville Blades) – Also playing his full rookie season in the OJHL, McGlynn notched 20 points and was named an OJHL 2nd Team All-Prospect.

Josh Burnside (Mississauga Chargers) - Burnside played six games as a member of the Chargers, while also playing 13 with the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors.

Max Domi (St. Michael’s Buzzers) – Domi played two games as an affiliated midget with the Buzzers before joining the OHL’s London Knights.

Darnell Nurse (St. Michael’s Buzzers) – Nurse played two games as an affiliated midget with the Buzzers before joining the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

Zack Nastasiuk (Orangeville Flyers) – Nastasiuk played one game as an affiliated midget with the Flyers before joining the Owen Sound Attack.

Congratulations to all players who were ranked by NHL Central Scouting and best of luck as they look to fulfill their hockey dreams!

For a full list of the rankings, please CLICK HERE.