NEWS: Hopkins and Niedermayer Named To NHL Central Scouting Players To Watch

PENTICTON, B.C. – National Hockey League (NHL) Central Scouting announced their preliminary list of Players To Watch for the 2022 NHL Entry Draft which includes Vees defensemen Ryan Hopkins and Josh Niedermayer.

Hopkins has yet to play in a regular season game for the Vees, skating in three preseason games before suffering an injury. The University of Maine commit is in his first season with the Vees after playing two seasons at Stanstead College, captaining the team during the 2020/21 campaign. Although Stanstead did not play any games during the last season, Hopkins produced 8 goals and 23 assists for 31 points in 58 games played.

Niedermayer is in his second season with the Vees, posting a pair of goals in Penticton’s regular season opening matchup against the Vernon Vipers. During his rookie season, Niedermayer posted 11 points in 18 games while finishing tied for the team lead in points from the blue line.

In addition to Hopkins and Niedermayer, current Vees recruit and St. Andrew’s College forward Eli Sebastien has also been named to the Central Scouting Players To Watch List.

For a full list of the Players To Watch from NHL Central Scouting, CLICK HERE.

The Vees will hit the road for the next three games, beginning with the BCHL Showcase in Chilliwack as Penticton will face-off against the Langley Rivermen on Wednesday night at Chilliwack Coliseum. Puck drop is slated for 7:30 PM with the game broadcasted on Bounce 800 Radio as well as on BCHLTV.ca beginning with the pre-game show at 7:10 PM.