Hockey Press
Kaizen Sports: Four Athletes Named to NHL Central Scouting Final List for 2024 NHL Entry Draft
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Penticton, BC – April 16, 2024 – Kaizen Sports is proud to announce that four of its athletes have been recognized by the NHL Central Scouting Final List for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The highly anticipated draft is scheduled to take place at the state-of-the-art Sphere in Las Vegas on June 28th and 29th, 2024. This event will mark the final centralized draft before the NHL transitions to a decentralized process.
Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, AJ Spellacy earns the distinction of being ranked #72 by NHL Central Scouting, with a reputation as the draft’s fastest skater, according to Bardown (see video below) testing. This towering 6’4 power forward took control in the latter half of the season, notching an impressive 21 of his 38 total points. Windsor Spitfires GM, Bill Bowlers, highlighted Spellacy’s immense potential in the Windsor Post, stating, ‘We just see a potential huge talent for our hockey club. Just an athletic kid with determination and drive. For a guy that size, his skating is already elite. A big frame that covers a lot of ice. A real good player who, with more reps, we just see the future is so bright.’
How would you do in a race against AJ Spellacy? 🚀
— BarDown (@BarDown) January 16, 2024
Head to TSN’s YouTube page to watch BarDown join the Windsor Spitfires for a jam-packed road trip: https://t.co/rPlu2G5KnF@SpitsHockey pic.twitter.com/2TN6kf0dku
Kaizen Sports next listed NHLCS athlete ‘will remain confidential, in accordance with Kaizen’s commitment to NCAA amateurism bylaws,’ as per Michael O’Rafferty, Senior Managing Director of Kaizen Sports.
Parker Alcos secures the #112 spot after a stellar season with the Edmonton Oil Kings in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Standing tall at 6’3″, this right-handed defenseman boasts a simple yet reliable style of play, showcasing particular prowess in transition. In his rookie campaign, Alcos notched an impressive 15 points (1 goal, 14 assists) in 67 games, demonstrating his adeptness at utilizing his size and reach to his advantage. His performance may even prompt teams to reconsider his initial ranking.
Meanwhile, hailing from Red Deer, Alberta, Caleb Hadland makes his mark at #212 on the NHL Central Scouting final rankings following a standout season. Selected in the 2021 WHL first round and having played in Brandon last year, Hadland emerged as a versatile player, a Swiss Army knife, and a potential future captain of his organization. Drawing comparisons to teammate and Washington Capitals draft pick Brett Hyland, Hadland amassed an impressive 39 points (12 goals, 27 assists) in 68 games, solidifying his status as a key player to watch.
O’Rafferty further highlighted the arduous journey ahead for these athletes, emphasizing, “our athletes understand the dedication required to fulfill their aspirations. This recognition marks an important milestone in a player’s journey, but it’s crucial to remember that the identification process is just one small step in a long and challenging journey, with a short window of opportunity. Being identified is indeed an accomplishment, as is getting drafted, but it merely initiates the professional process. It’s about persevering through the journey and continuing to prove oneself at every turn.”
Kaizen Sports remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting these athletes as they navigate their careers.
NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings here
Kaizen Sports Agency exists to provide access and advantage – in sport and beyond. We represent athletes in full: mind, body, and brand. Our model is simple: recruit through talent, build through trust. “Kaizen” is the philosophy of continuous improvement – deliberate, disciplined, and built to last. www.kaizensportsint.com
