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Billy Blade
01-14-2005, 11:14 AM
Source: http://www.tsn.ca/chl/whl/news_story.asp?ID=111199&hubName=whl

ISS releases NHL prospect rankings

Canadian Press
1/14/2005

Right-winger Bobby Ryan of the Owen Sound Attack has jumped to fourth spot in 2005 NHL draft rankings of skaters compiled by International Scouting Services.

Rimouski Oceanic centre Sidney Crosby remained No. 1, U.S. national team defenceman Jack Johnson stayed No. 2 and Vancouver Giants centre Gilbert Brule again was No. 3 in the January rankings released by the independent ISS group. Jumping to No. 4, from No. 7 in December and No. 17 last October, Ryan continues to impress the scouts.
"Ryan has turned into an absolute force within the OHL and has been a major part of the Owen Sound Attack's major run," says ISS. "With all the hype surrounding the London Knights, Ryan and the Attack went on a string of 20 games with only one loss to serve notice that London won't be sailing to the league championship.

"Ryan's commitment to fitness has allowed him to become lighter and although he'll never beat Ilya Kovalchuk in a foot race, he has become an adequate skater. Ryan's real genius is his ability to carry guys to the net and he has hands that are too good for a kid of his size."

He's only 17. The six-foot-one forward weighs in at about 210 pounds. He's from Cherry Hill, N.J., and after 39 OHL games he has 23 goals, 36 assists, 59 points and 26 penalty minutes. He's been selected to play in the annual Top Prospects Game in Vancouver on Jan. 19.

"Ryan has become a player that ISS could see becoming a franchise player and that will be evident at the next draft," says ISS.

NHL Central Scouting is in the process of finalizing its rankings to be released this month.

ISS is the main Canadian-based independent scouting service. U.S.-based Red Line is another. In its third year, ISS has 35 scouts across the world. The service is sold as an aid to general managers and scouts to help them to discover and evaluate talent.

Chicoutimi Sagueneens centre Marek Zagrapan remained No. 5 in ISS rankings.

Kitchener Rangers defenceman Jakub Kindl, who was No. 5 last month and No. 3 last October, now sits at No. 13. His adaptation to the North American style of hockey has been slower than anticipated, says ISS.

"His inconsistency is a concern and we are bothered by the fact that he picks his spots in terms of physical play," says the ISS analysis. "When he decides to turn it up, he is definitely a force.

"But these instances are becoming more sporadic. His dismissal from the Czech national junior team also raises some questions."

Up to No. 6 is Sudbury Wolves left-winger Benoit Pouliot, who had been No. 8.

Erie Otters centre Ryan O'Marra is No. 7, right-winger Nicklas Bergfors of the Swedish team Sodertalje is No. 8, Drummondville Voltigeurs right-winger Guillaume Latendresse is No. 9, and Seattle Thunderbirds centre Chris Durand is No. 10.

Latendresse was 12th and Durand 13th in December.

Carey Price of the Tri-City Americans remains No. 1 in ISS goaltender rankings.

Left-winger Michael Frolik, 16, a member of the Czech team and youngest player at the world junior tournament, is the ISS pick as early front-runner to go No. 1 in 2006. Last October, Frolik was No. 6 but he's moved up with an exceptional season.

"He will have some strong competition from American phenom Phil Kessel, who reminds scouts of Mike Modano, and Finnish power forward Jesse Joensuu just may turn out to be the best of the bunch in the long run."

Top-rated Canadian on the ISS 2006 list is Barrie Colts centre Bryan Little at No. 8. He was No. 5 when the season began.

ISS also ranks players who will be eligible for the next drafts by major junior leagues.

Mark Katic, 15, a Timmins defenceman, tops the OHL preliminary rankings.

Kyle Beach, 15, a Kelowna centre, currently is No. 1 for the WHL draft.

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