Three members of the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League (USHL) had their names appear on the NHL Central Scouting Bureau’s Preliminary Watch List for the 2020 NHL Draft.

Goaltender Colin Purcell (Shaker Heights/Cleveland Jr. Barons), and forwards Ben Schoen (Maumee) and Trevor Kuntar were all listed as “C” prospects meaning they are considered candidates to be selected in rounds 4-6 of the draft. 

Purcell, who is committed to the University of Massachusetts (2021) stopped 67 of 71 shots in his first two USHL starts, leading Youngstown to victory in both.

Kuntar, who will join Harvard University next fall, is Youngstown’s second-leading scorer through the first five games of the season with six points (3-3-6).  This is his third season playing with the Phantoms.

Schoen (Penn State 2021), meanwhile, has collected three assists in four games played. 

A fourth Ohio-born player, Perrysburg’s Tanner Dickinson, was named as a “C” Prospect.  Dickinson is early in his rookie season with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).  The 5’11”, 150-pound center has transitioned well from the Belle Tire U18s, and has picked up six assists through his first six games played at the major junior level.

Another player with an Ohio connection, Ohio State left-winger Michael Gildon, also made the list.  Gildon, a 6’2”, 195-pound winger from Plano, TX, played the last two seasons with the USA National Team Development Program.

Just across the border, four members of the OHL’s Erie Otters were listed, beginning with “A” Prospect Jamie Drysdale.  Drysdale is in his second year playing in Erie, and has had his name bandied about as potentially the top blue liner available this year and a likely Top 10 pick.

Cranberry Township, PA’s Aidan Campbell was playing for Seneca Valley High School and U16 for the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite program just last year, but is considered a “B” Prospect as he begins his junior career with the Otters.

Otters centers Hayden Fowler and Brendan Hoffman also made the list as “C” Prospects.

Click here to see the full list.