By Warren Kozireski–
Five players born in late 1998 or 1999 are among those listed by Central Scouting as possible NHL draft picks for the June draft in Chicago.
The highest among those is Victor native David Farrance of the U.S. National Development Program in Plymouth, Michigan who is ranked 46th among North American skaters
A defenseman, Farrance racked up 17 points in 25 USHL games this past season—his first with Team USA. The 5’11”, 187 lb. left shot is committed to Boston University this coming fall.
Center Dylan Seitz of Eden, the Nichols School and a former Buffalo Jr. Sabres is ranked 123rd. The 6’2” 180 lb. left shot netted eight goals and ten assists over 60 games in his first OHL season with Kitchener. He was also a member of Team USA who won silver at the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup.
Buffalo product Stephen Dhillon is the 21st ranked North American goaltender. Playing the three past seasons with the Niagara IceDogs in the OHL, the former Buffalo Regal earned the starting job this past season and a 3.46 GAA and .914 save percentage in 59 games for the rebuilding team.
Oyster Bay native Tyce Thompson, the brother of former St. Louis Blues first round draft pick and Team USA gold medalist Tage Thompson, is ranked 160th among North American forwards. The 6’5”, 205 lb. center has been playing high school hockey in Connecticut where he netted 25 points over 20 games this past season and is committed to Providence College this fall.
And Jacob Tortora is ranked 165th among North American skaters. The Victor product is a teammate of Farrance with the U.S. National Development team and netted nine goals with eight assists in 17 USHL games. Listed ta 5’7”, 162 lb. the left wing is committed to Boston College this fall.
