Five Manitobans have been named to NHL Central Scouting’s Preliminary ‘Players to Watch’ list for the 2023 NHL Draft.

Brandon Wheat Kings goaltender Carson Bjarnason of Carberry was one of seven WHL players who was given an ‘A’ rating. Portland Winterhawks forward Carter Sotheran (Sanford), Steinbach Pistons forward Ty Paisley (Steinbach), Chicago Steel forward Jayden Perron (Winnipeg), and Prince George Cougars defenceman Hudson Thornton (Winnipeg) were given ‘C’ ratings.

NHL Central Scouting identifies players with a rating system that includes four categories. The ‘A’ rating indicates players projected to be first-round candidates. The ‘B’ rating indicates players projected to be second- or third-round candidates, and the ‘C’ rating indicates players projected to be fourth-, fifth-, or sixth-round candidates. Though no players received this designation, ‘LV’ represents a player who has not had sufficient viewings, due to injury.

MANITOBANS ON NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING’S PLAYERS TO WATCH LIST

PTW	Position	First Name	Last Name	Hometown	Current Team
A	G	Carson	Bjarnason	Carberry	Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
C	F	Carter	Sotheran	Sanford	Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
C	F	Ty	Paisley	Steinbach	Steinbach Pistons (MJHL)
C	F	Jayden	Perron	Winnipeg	Chicago Steel (USHL)
C	D	Hudson	Thornton	Winnipeg	Prince George Cougars (WHL)