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Spokane Chiefs

Spokane Chiefs have pair named to NHL Draft Prospect list

Spokane Chiefs Ty Smith passes to a teammate during practice, Wed., Sept. 20, 2017, in the Spokane Arena. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)

Spokane Chiefs Ty Smith and Eli Zummack were recognized on Tuesday on NHL Central Scoutings’ annual preliminary players to watch list for the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

Smith, a 17-year-old defenseman out of Lloydminster, Alberta, is one of only 24 players to receive an “A” rating, indicating a potential first round draft candidate. Selected by the Chiefs with the first overall pick in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft, Smith has continued to turn heads after finishing 13th in scoring among all WHL rookies a year ago (third among 16-year-olds). He served as an alternate captain for Team Canada at this past summer’s U-18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup, winning gold.

Zummack, a 17-year-old forward from Kelowna, B.C., earned a “C” grade as a potential fourth-sixth round choice. Acquired by the Chiefs in a trade with Red Deer during the 2015-16 season, Zummack scored nine goals and added 13 assists in 50 games as a rookie last season. He has a goal and two assists in four games so far this year.

Full NHL Central Scouting players to watch list available here.