GRAND FORKS — UND is expected to have a handful of mid- and late-round NHL Draft picks this summer.
Six UND commits are on the NHL Central Scouting Bureau's midterm 2022 NHL Draft rankings, which were released this week.
The highest on the list is forward Dylan James of the Sioux City Musketeers. James, noted for his explosive skating ability, is ranked No. 67 among North American skaters, which means he's a projected mid-round pick.
Other UND-committed skaters on the list are defenseman Jake Livanavage of the Chicago Steel (No. 90), defenseman Tyler Dunbar of the Muskegon Lumberjacks (No. 105), forward Cole Spicer of Grand Forks and the U.S. Under-18 Team (No. 122) and forward Bowden Singleton of the Okotoks Oilers (No. 192).
Additionally, UND goalie commit Hobie Hedquist of Alberni Valley is No. 23 among North American netminders.
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Warroad High senior Daimon Gardner, a Clarkson commit, is ranked No. 101.
The NHL Draft is scheduled for July 7-8 at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
Central Scouting typically releases its final rankings in April or May.
One UND commit who did not make Central Scouting's rankings, but is drawing attention from scouts this season is Fargo's Ben Strinden, who plays for the Muskegon Lumberjacks.
Strinden has been draft eligible the last two years but has gone unselected. This is his final year of draft eligibility.
Three UND commits have already been drafted — forward Jackson Blake (Carolina Hurricanes, Round 4), forward Owen McLaughlin (Philadelphia Flyers, Round 7) and defenseman Nate Benoit (Minnesota Wild, Round 6).
There are still some uncommitted players on Central Scouting's list — most notably No. 2-ranked prospect Logan Cooley of the U.S. Under-18 Team. Cooley originally committed to Notre Dame but re-opened his recruiting and is being pursued by numerous schools, including UND.
Central Scouting midterm rankings
UND commits
North American skater rankings
67. Dylan James, forward, Sioux City (USHL)
90. Jake Livanavage, defense, Chicago (USHL)
105. Tyler Dunbar, defense, Muskegon (USHL)
122. Cole Spicer, forward, U.S. Under-18 Team
192. Bowden Singleton, forward, Okotoks (AJHL)
North American goaltender rankings
23. Hobie Hedquist, Alberni Valley (BCHL)
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Other notable
North American skater rankings
101. Daimon Gardner, forward, Warroad HS (Clarkson commit)
