Vernon Matters file photo

By Liam Verster

Prospects

Viper defenseman among BCHLers on NHL watch list

Oct 25, 2022 | 12:20 PM

A Vernon Vipers defenseman is among the dozen current, former and future BCHL players listed on NHL’s ‘Players to Watch’ list.

NHL Central Scouting has released its list of potential future professional hockey players ahead of the 2023 NHL Entry draft, and Dylan Compton is on the list.

Vernon Vipers defenceman, Dylan Compton, is listed as a C Prospect on the NHL Central Scouting Players to Watch list (photo courtesy of the BCHL)

Compton, a BCHL rookie currently playing for the Vernon Vipers, is a Victoria product who has spent the past several years at the Shawnigan Lake program. In his final year with Shawnigan in 2021-22, he collected 46 points in 36 games.

The 17-year-old has just one goal and two assists in five games with the Vipers this season, as he has been injured and out of action since early October.

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Compton, who is committed to Northeastern University, is listed as a C prospect, which indicates he is likely to be picked up in the fourth, fifth or sixth rounds of the draft.

Compton is one of nine active BCHLers on the Players to Watch list.

The other prospects are:

• Bradly Nadeau, forward for the Penticton Vees (B Prospect)
• Owen Beckner, forward for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (C Prospect)
• Donavan Frias, forward for the Cranbrook Bucks (C Prospect)
• AJ Lacroix, forward for the Chilliwack Chiefs (C Prospect)
• Brady Smith, defenseman for the Trail Smoke Eaters (C Prospect)
• Hoyt Stanley, defenseman for the Victoria Grizzlies (C Prospect)
• Aydar Suniev, forward for the Penticton Vees (C Prospect)
• Carter Richardson, goalie for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (C Prospect)

One future BCHL prospect, Jonathan Castagna, who is committed to the Penticton Vees next season, was also listed on the Players to Watch list as a C prospect.

Two former BCHL forwards, Cameron Johnson (Chilliwack Chiefs) and Matthew Wood (Victoria Grizzlies) were also listed on the scouting report. Wood was listed as an A prospect, while Johnson was a C prospect.

Central Scouting noted A prospects are potential first-round pick candidates, while B prospects are projected to be picked in the second or third rounds.

The 2023 NHL Entry Draft will run June 28 and 29, 2023 in Nashville.

Click here to see the complete Players To Watch list.