Penticton Vees defenceman Jonny Tychonick and goaltender Adam Scheel have been ranked on the NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings released on Monday.
Tychonick, from Calgary, Alberta, is in his second season with the Vees and has already surpassed his offensive totals from last season. In 35 games this season, Tychonick has scored eight goals and racked up 26 assists. In the 2016-17 season, Tychonick skated in 48 games scoring three goals with 20 assists. He is ranked 45th amongst North American skaters for the upcoming 2018 NHL Entry Draft in Dallas, Texas.
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“He is playing really solid games since he came back from Christmas and to be honest, he is playing a more simplified game,” said Vees head coach and general manager Fred Harbinson. “It is funny how that works, sometimes people think you have to make flashy plays to create offence but he has simplified his game and he is still putting up the numbers. Actually, he creating more offence by doing that and making quicker decisions with the puck.”
The defenceman has also represented Canada on the international stage this season, being named an assistant captain for Team Canada West at the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge in Truro, Nova Scotia. Tychonick scored a goal and an assist in five games, helping Canada claim gold at the event. He is also set to represent Team West at the annual CJHL Top Prospects game in Mississauga, Ont. Tuesday, Jan. 23. Tychonick earned the BCHL player of the week honours for helping the Vees get three straight wins (Prince George, Merritt and Trail) and earning seven points in that time frame.
Related: Vees Tychonick named to CJHL Top Prospects game
Scheel, from Lakewood, Ohio, is in his first season north of the border and has established himself amongst the elite goaltenders at the Junior ‘A’ level. Scheel has a record of 20-7-2-3 in 33 appearances this season, sitting second in goals against average and save percentage at 2.01 and .930 respectively. He has been ranked 23rd amongst North American goaltenders for the NHL Entry Draft.
“I’m not surprised at all by that. He has been good all year and one of the top goalies in the BCHL. As an 18-year-old he is athletic, plays the puck extremely well and his numbers reflect that he should definitely be considered for the draft,” said Harbinson. “It is yet to be determined if he will be drafted, but if I was an NHL team I would be looking seriously at him.”
Related: Penticton Vees goalie duo packs a punch
The goaltender has also represented his country on the international stage, winning a gold medal at the World Under-18 Hockey Championships in 2017 with Team USA.
Both Tychonick and Scheel are slated to attend the University of North Dakota next season.