The NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings were posted online today and two T-Birds were ranked in the list. Turner Ottenbreit and Nolan Volcan were among those selected as prospective NHL players for the future. Ottenbreit was number 169 out of 210 and Volcan was number 206. They weren’t in the top spots, but they still made the midterm rankings. Fans usually get pretty excited over this list because it’s not just letter grades assigned to the players; we actually get to see who is being considered in real time.

Neither selection should come to a surprise to T-Bird fans. Both Ottenbreit and Volcan have had great seasons. Both have been with the Birds for more than one season. Ottenbreit, #4 on the team, is from Yorkton, SK. He shoots left, stands at 6’3 and weighs 192. He came to the Birds from the Saskatoon Blades last season and has been a strong presence on the team since, working on his skating and his strength both in and off season. When asked about how he stays in such fit shape, he answered, “I have been going to the gym every day and working out really hard and skating two days a week.” Ottenbreit has played 124 games, scoring six goals and making 19 assists. He has had 100 penalty minutes. During playoff games, he has played in six games and made one assist.

Volcan, #26 on the team, plays left wing. He is from Edmonton, AB. He weighs 194 and stands at 5’9. Volcan played for the MLAC Bantam AAA team before joining the Birds in the 2013 to 2014 season. He has played in 101 games, scoring 19 goals and making 21 assists for a total of 40 points. He has had 55 penalty minutes. Volcan has also played in six WHL playoff games, making one assist during that time.

Some fans are complaining about Scott Eansor not making the list. Eansor has definitely been a talented player on the team, appearing in 151 games and scoring 21 goals and a whopping 46 assists for a total of 67 points. Granted, there are plenty of talented players on the tea to choose from and the argument could be made for several of them. Which players do you think were overlooked? Which ones do you think should have been listed alongside Turner Ottenbreit and Nolan Volcan? Let us know in the comments.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia