SUDBURY, Ont. – National Hockey League Central Scouting announced Tuesday its initial Players to Watch List as a prelude to the 2021 NHL Draft and a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League standout was one of those named.
Rayside-Balfour Canadians centre Nick DeGrazia was tabbed a B-rated player, which features those who are projected to be selected in the second or third round of the 2021 NHL Draft.
The NOJHL’s rookie of the year and a first team all-star last season, DeGrazia led all first-year skaters in the NOJHL in goals with 32, in just 42 outings, while ending up tied for top spot in overall points among rookies with 61.
His total numbers tied him for sixth overall in league scoring and DeGrazia was also a member of Team Canada East that captured a silver medal at the 2019 World Junior A Challenge.
Meanwhile, former Powassan Voodoos goaltender Joe Vrbetic was listed as a B-rated prospect among netminders.
Vrbetic spent 2019-20 with the North Bay Battalion of the OHL.
You also had former Rayside-Balfour forward Chase Stillman tabbed as another B-rated prospect.
“Today’s news is yet another example of how players from our league continue to receive attention at all levels of the game,” offered NOJHL commissioner Robert Mazzuca.
“This is a testament to the effort put forth by not only these players, but our league coaches and team management who continue to recruit, develop and help produce top-level talent,” added Mazzuca.