North Bay Battalion forward Brandon Coe continues to move up the NHL central scouting rankings.
The Ajax, Ontario product was rated 47th in mid-term rankings but has moved up to 35th for North American skaters in the rankings which were released on Wednesday.
Coe, who turns 19 on Dec. 1, scored 25 goals and earned a team-leading 32 assists for 57 points in 60 games in 2019-20. In 188 games over three seasons, he has 52 goals and 65 assists for 117 points.
“When it comes to ability, Brandon has several outstanding qualities," said Adam Dennis, North Bay Battalion GM.
"He’s an excellent skater with excellent puck skills and can play with a mean streak. The sky’s the limit for this young man, and any NHL team will be lucky to have him.”
Dennis noted that the 2017 third overall OHL draft choice has worked hard and improved in a lot of areas in the second half of the season.
“He was an integral part of the team’s late playoff push and a key contributor to the offence," said Dennis.
Coe is among 55 Ontario Hockey League skaters in the final rankings.
A total of 134 Canadian Hockey League skaters are on the list, including 46 from the Western Hockey League and 33 from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
Ranked 104th is left winger Carson Bantle, whom North Bay took in the 14th round of the 2018 OHL Priority Selection. Bantle has played the last two seasons with the Madison Capitols of the United States Hockey League.
The top-rated OHLer is centre Quinton Byfield of the Sudbury Wolves at No. 2, followed by defenceman Jamie Drysdale of the Erie Otters at No. 3.
Ranked first overall is Team Canada World Junior star forward Alexis Lafreniere of the QMJHL’s Rimouski Oceanic.
NHL Central Scouting conducted its final meetings via video conferencing for the first time in its 44-year history due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.
The date and location of the draft remain in question because of the coronavirus.
The event had been initially scheduled for Bell Centre in Montreal on June 26-27 but was postponed March 25.
