The Prince George Cougars have signed one of their top-rated 17-year-old prospects.
Jared Bethune, a forward projected as a potential second- or third-round pick in next year's NHL draft, is already in Prince George but won't be cleared to play until next week, when his transfer to the WHL is approved by USA. Hockey and Hockey Canada.
"He'll be able to practice with us but he won't be approved to play until Tuesday," said Cougars general manager Todd Harkins.
The six-foot, 180-pound Bethune, who turns 18 on Jan. 20, was one of first 1997-born players Harkins listed when he joined the team as head scout two seasons ago.
Bethune is a dual Canadian-U.S. citizen with First Nations status. Because he holds a Canadian passport he was prevented from playing last year for the U.S. under-17 national team. He played high school hockey in Warroad, Minn., his birthplace.
"Just being where he's at compared to the other top '97s in Canada, with his ranking for the upcoming NHL draft he decided this was the best route for him to go and we're very happy to have him," said Harkins.
"He's one of the players I identified early as a '97 we'd love to have so we're very fortunate he's chosen to come our way. Jared is a quality person and a highly-touted NHL prospect who comes from a great family that has sacrificed a lot to get to this point. As an organization we're confident they won't be disappointed with this decision."
Bethune has committed to play for the University of Minnesota-Duluth in the 2016-17 season.
Last season in 25 high school games for Warroad he scored 31 goals and added 51 assists for 82 points and a plus-77 rating. In the U.S. Hockey League bantam draft he was chosen in the third round, 41st overall, by the Lincoln Stars. Bethune picked up one assist in three games for the Stars this season. He registered five points in six games as a 16-year-old USHL rookie with Lincoln last season.
Bethune attended Hockey Canada's 44-player summer under-18 national team selection camp in Calgary along with Cougars centre Jansen Harkins.
"He played against Jansen at that camp -- Jansen and him have kept in touch from there and I think that's helped the situation, obviously," said Harkins.
On Friday, before they took on the Vancouver Giants at CN Centre, the Cougars confirmed defenceman Wil Tomchuk and forwards Chance Braid and Jari Erricson as their three 20-year-old players. Teams had until Friday to make that decision, with each team allowed a maximum of three overagers.
"We're happy with our three 20-year-olds," said Harkins.
Harkins confirmed forwards Troy Bourke and Zach Pochiro, both 20, will play pro hockey this season. Bourke, drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the third round, 72nd overall in 2012, started the season Friday in the American Hockey League with the Cleveland-based Lake Erie Monsters. The Monsters opened on the road in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Bourke played 15 games for the Monsters last season and produced three goals and seven points. He ranked second in Cougars' team scoring in 2013-14, picking up 29 goals and 85 points to become the all-time Cougar points leader with 236.
"He's doing well and they're happy with him," said Harkins.
Earlier this week, the St. Louis Blues assigned Pochiro to Anchorage, Alaska, where he'll play for the Alaska Aces of the ECHL. Pochiro collected two assists in nine games last season for Kalamazoo of the ECHL. He was third in Cougars' scoring last year with 27 goals and 66 points in 63 games.
"They want Zach to start there because they play a weekend schedule and that means they can train and get stronger during the week," added Harkins.
