Andrew Cristall of the Kelowna Rockets (Photo credit: Steve Dunsmoor)

By Pete McIntyre

WHL

Rockets forward upgraded to ‘A’ prospect by Central Scouting

Nov 21, 2022 | 1:45 PM

Kelowna Rockets assistant captain Andrew Cristall was given an updated ‘A’ rating on NHL Central Scouting’s Players to Watch list Monday, meaning he’s a potential first-round pick.

It brings the number of projected first-round picks from the WHL to 10 ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft.

Three WHL players, including Cristall, Tri-City Americans defenceman Lukas Dragicevic and Prince George Cougars forward Koehn Ziemmer were all bumped from their original ‘B’ rating on Central Scouting’s list, released last month.

Cristall leads Kelowna in scoring with 35 points (15G-20A) and along with Ziemmer is in a third-place tie among WHL scoring leaders.

The Rockets forward from Burnaby B.C. is currently riding a career-high eight-game point streak that has seen him record 22 points (8G-14A) over that span.

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“Andrew has been an offensive catalyst in Kelowna this year. He’s very gifted offensively, good on the power play, has great vision and knows how to score,” John Williams of NHL Central Scouting told NHL.com Monday.

Joining Cristall, Dragicevic and Ziemmer as ‘A’ rated players from the WHL are Regina Pats forward Connor Bedard, Winnipeg ICE forward Zach Benson, Brandon Wheat Kings goaltender Carson Bjarnason, Wheat Kings forward Nate Danielson, Heidt, Vancouver Giants forward Samuel Honzek and Moose Jaw Warriors forward Brayden Yager.

The 2023 NHL Draft will be held June 28-29 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.