Owen Sound Attack forward Colby Barlow, who grew up in Orillia, and Barrie Colts defencemen Beau Akey are both expected to hear their name called in the first two rounds of this summer's NHL Entry Draft.
According to NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings for the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Barlow is the top-rated Ontario Hockey League player, at No. 12 overall among all North American skaters, while Akey comes in at No. 33.
There are 56 OHL players included in the final rankings ahead of the NHL draft, which will be held June 28-29 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. The list includes 30 OHL forwards, 19 defencemen and seven goaltenders.
Barlow, an 18-year-old left-winger, was among the OHL's leading goal-scorers this season with 46, fifth most in the league. He added 33 assists for 79 points in 59 games during the regular season. The Attack was swept in the first round of the OHL playoffs by the London Knights, with Barlow scoring three goals in four games.
Akey, an 18-year-old Waterloo native, had 47 points (11G, 36A) in 66 games with the Colts this year, his second season in Barrie. His point total put him 19th overall in the league among blue-liners. The Colts face the North Bay Battalion in Game 3 of their second-round playoff series tonight at Sadlon Arena. The best-of-seven series is tied 1-1.
Kitchener Rangers winger Carson Rehkopf, who grew up in nearby Utopia, just outside of Barrie, is ranked No. 29. He had 59 points (30G, 29A) in 68 games this season. The Rangers are down 2-1 to London in their second-round series, which continues tonight at Kitchener Memorial Auditorium.
Other OHL players included in the final rankings include Oshawa Generals centre Calum Ritchie and Sudbury Wolves winger Quentin Musty at No. 13 and 14, respectively. London Knights defenceman Oliver Bonk comes in at No. 20, followed by winger Nick Lardis of the Hamilton Bulldogs at No. 27.
Barrie Colts forward Beau Jelsma is ranked No. 190. The Bowmanville native had 30 goals and 31 assists for 61 points in 67 games this season. He also has three goals and three assists in five playoff games.
Outside the OHL, Midhurst native Larry Keenan is ranked No. 73. The big defenceman, who attends Culver Academy in Indiana, had nine goals and 20 assists for 29 points in 29 games this season. He was ranked No. 107 in the midterms.
For NHL Central Scouting's complete final rankings for the 2023 NHL Draft, visit nhl.com.
