Penticton Vees forward Beau Bennett rode a strong second half of the 2009/10 regular season to a share of the British Columbia Hockey League's scoring title, and the scouts have noticed. On Wednesday, Bennett took a big leap up Central Scouting's final rankings for the 2010 National Hockey League Entry Draft, jumping from 48th to 32nd amongst North American skaters.
With his current draft ranking, Bennett has an excellent chance to be selected in the first or second round when the draft hits his home state of California on June 25th and 26th. He also appears in line to beat out Zac Dalpe, who was selected 45th overall in 2008, as the highest recent pick out of the Vees organization.
A number of Bennett's Penticton teammates were also listed amongst Central Scouting's top 210 North American skaters and 30 goaltenders.
Luke Curadi came in at 125th in the final rankings after a rookie season that saw the six-foot-five, 255 pound defenceman score seven goals and add 10 assists in 58 games. Curadi has committed to the NCAA Div I. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Meanwhile, Isaac MacLeod saw his stock remain steady at 133rd amongst North American skaters. The Boston College-committed blueliner from Nelson, B.C. picked up 23 assists in his first full BCHL season.
Rounding out the Penticton Vees contingent was Sean Bonar, who is ranked 21st amongst North American goaltenders. The Princeton commit first grabbed the attention of scouts with his stellar play for Team Canada West at the 2009 World Junior A Challenge in Summerside, PEI.
Alberni Valley Bulldogs forward Mark MacMillan made his first appearance in the rankings at 135th. The Coastal Conference Rookie of the Year scored 26 goals and added 54 assists in 59 regular season games.
A pair of Westside Warriors rounded out the BCHL's representation in the rankings, as Grayson Downing and Spencer Humphries checked in at 144th and 172nd respectively. Downing contributed 18 goals and 18 assists during the regular season before leading the Warriors in scoring with 10 points during a two-round playoff run. Humphries' first season in the league included two goals and 14 points for the Delta, B.C. product.
The 2010 NHL Entry Draft will take place in Los Angeles, with the first round going on Friday, June 25th and rounds two through seven set for Saturday, June 26th.
