The season is just beginning and the 2016 NHL draft is nine months away.
That draft dream got a little closer to reality for Kody McDonald and Josh Anderson when their names appeared Tuesday on NHL Central Scouting's preliminary list of draft-eligible players to watch.
Playing for the Prince George Cougars, they still have a lot to prove before any NHL team takes a chance on them and picks them in the draft. But still, it was a momentous occasion for McDonald and Anderson knowing they're now on the radar as C prospects, meaning they're ranked as fourth-, fifth- or sixth-round candidates. Five of their Cougar teammates have already been drafted and the two 17-year-olds would love a similar reward for their hockey
efforts.
"Seeing that really made me happy," said McDonald, who will play tonight in Kent, Wash., where the Cougars play the Seattle Thunderbirds.
"I hope to see myself a bit higher (on the list), I just have to keep working. Every day, our team is working hard to make each other better so at the end of the year I should have a lot of improvement."
McDonald, a six-foot, 200-pound power forward who plays with an edge, is in his second season with the Cougars, coming off a 2014-15 season in which he netted nine goals and 12 points in 49 games.
He also picked up two playoff assists in five games.
The Cougars won 31 regular season games last year and in games in which McDonald scored they won every time, a trend they obviously hope will continue.
He knows the pro scouts will be paying attention.
"I've been told by the coaches that every game, even if they aren't coming to watch me, they'll be watching (Jansen) Harkins, (Brad) Morrison, (Jesse) Gabrielle, guys like that," said McDonald. "I just have to make sure I play my best every game."
McDonald can play any of the forward positions but grew up playing centre. He's fast on his feet, is smart with his stick and rarely gets caught out of position. That means extra duty as a penalty killer. He's been practicing this week on a line with wingers Aaron Boyd and Jordan Ross.
"Kody is a pretty versatile guy," said Cougars head coach Mark Holick. "With the depth we have there's no rush with any young guys. I don't have an issue playing him against any line. He plays hard, he's a big, strong kid and he gets involved when he plays. A lot of people think points are what's going to get you somewhere but if you play the game the right way, the points will take care of themselves."
McDonald started out playing minor hockey in his hometown, Lethbridge, but moved to Kelowna to attend the Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy for his peewee and bantam years. The Cougars selected McDonald in the second round of the 2013 bantam draft, the same year they picked Anderson third overall.
Playing in his second WHL season, Anderson can't wait to take the next step in the draft process now that he's listed.
"It's a pretty good honour to be on there," said Anderson. "It's tough getting on those lists and I just have to keep working hard to stay on there. I just want to have a good season and try not to worry about the off-ice stuff."
Anderson was one of the last cuts from tryouts in August for Canada's under-18 team, which played in the Ivan Hlinka Cup, and that got him ready for the Cougars' camp.
"I feel like I have a bit more offensive skill and I can play more offensively than defensively this year," said Anderson. "I've had full season in the league now and I'm learning to stay calm with the puck and stay calm on the ice.
Anderson, a native of Duncan, has added to his six-foot-three frame and now weighs 210 pounds. He's using that additional weight to serve up reminders to opposing forwards they'd better take the necessary precautions when they see Anderson lining them up along the boards for a crushing hit.
Anderson has a mean streak and like McDonald he's not afraid to drop the gloves if tempers boil over. He also skates well, moves the puck with confidence and has a wicked shot from the point.
"We're happy with him, he came to camp in great shape and his experience at the Hockey Canada camp helped and raised his level a bit and helped his confidence," said Holick. "He had a real good preseason and he's a guy who I think will play some important minutes for us."
Anderson is being paired with Cougars captain Sam Ruopp, who just got back from the Columbus Blue Jackets training camp.
Together, they'll draw plenty of icetime facing other team's top lines.
"It's good, he makes it a lot easier on me with a lot of talk out there and with him being in position," said Anderson. "He's bringing that NHL experience back here and all the younger guys can use that experience."
The Cougars skated in Seattle Friday.
They're without the services of RW Tyler Mrkonjic (upper-body injury), D Shane Collins (upper-body), and D Max Martin (upper-body).
Holick said Ty Edmonds will start tonight in goal. Game time is 7:05 p.m. (94.3 FM, The Goat).
