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Two Bulls Make Final NHL Central Scouting Draft Rankings
Belleville Bulls defenceman Shawn Lalonde and forward Stephen Johnston were among those ranked by NHL Central Scouting in their final report released on Thursday. Lalonde is ranked as the 32nd best North American skater for the 2008 NHL Entry Draft while Johnston was ranked 101st. The final NHL Central Scouting ranking includes the top 210 skaters and 30 goaltenders in North America along with the top 175 skaters and 15 goaltenders from Europe that are eligible for the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
Both Lalonde and Johnston saw their ranking improve from the NHL Central Scouting mid-term report. Lalonde was ranked 49th in the mid-term report while Johnston was 186th. The 2008 NHL Entry Draft will be held June 21-22 in Ottawa.
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Lalonde is in his second season with the Bulls and is enjoying a strong sophomore campaign. In 66 games played this season with Belleville, Lalonde recorded nine goals and 31 points while adding 67 penalty minutes and finishing with an impressive +28 rating. He has also scored twice and added five assists in 14 playoff games to date. The native of Orleans, Ontario was the Bulls first round selection in the 2006 OHL Priority Selection and enjoyed an excellent rookie season last year recording 26 points in 58 games. This past summer, Lalonde represented Canada at the Under 18 2007 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament held in the Czech Republic and Slovakia where he finished with four points in four games. He also participated in the ADT Canada Russia Challenge this past November in Sudbury.
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Johnston is in his rookie season with the Bulls and recorded two goals and nine points in 56 regular season games. The native of Guelph, Ontario has really picked up his game in the playoffs, scoring four goals and adding two assists in 14 games. Johnston was selected by Belleville in the sixth round of the 2006 OHL Priority Selection and led the team in preseason scoring in September.
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Photos: Jeff Boyce
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