2021 NHL Draft: Chicago Steel alum Owen Power tops NHL Central Scouting rankings

Chicago Steel alum Owen Power is the No. 1 North American skater in NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings for the 2021 NHL Draft.

Central Scouting has announced its final ranking of the top North American skaters and goalies and the top International skaters and goalies. Left wing William Eklund of Djurgraden in the Swedish Hockey League is No. 1 in the final ranking of International skaters. Sebastian Cossa of the Edmonton Oil Kings in the Western Hockey League is the top North American goalie and Jesper Wallstedt of Lulea in the SHL is the No. 1 international goalie.

The 2021 draft will be held virtually, with the first round July 23 and rounds 2-7 on July 24. The NHL Draft Lottery will be on June 2 to determine the first 15 picks in the draft. The Chicago Blackhawks effectively have the 11th-best odds for the top pick because the Arizona Coyotes forfeited their first-round selection for NHL combine testing violations.

Power scored 16 points (three goals, 13 assists) in 26 games during his freshman season at Michigan. His point total ranked second among Michigan defensemen behind Cameron York, a 2019 first-round pick by the Philadelphia Flyers. Power was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team. He has two assists and is averaging 14:52 of ice time in four games with Canada at the 2021 IIHF World Championship in Latvia.

Power scored 65 points (23 goals, 42 assists) in 103 regular-season games for the Steel. He had two assists in 11 playoff games from 2018-2020.

The Steel have nine players from their 2021 Clark Cup championship team make NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings.

NHL Central Scouting rankings

North American skaters

North American goalies

International skaters

International goalies