Everett Silvertips defenseman Ryan Murray is the highest-ranked WHL player among North American skaters eligible for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft in NHL Central Scouting’s mid-term rankings, which were released on Wednesday.

Murray, a product of White City, SK, ranks third among North American skaters, behind only Nail Yakupov of the Sarnia Sting and Mikhail Grigorenko of the Quebec Remparts.  The 18-year-old is already in his third season in the WHL with the Silvertips, and recently helped Canada win a Bronze medal at the 2012 World Junior Championship.

The Silvertips’ first-round pick, ninth overall, in the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft, Murray scored six goals and 46 points in 70 games last season while being named to the WHL Western Conference Second All-Star team.  He also narrowly missed out on earning a spot on Canada’s national junior team last year.

Murray is the first of five defensemen who are among the Top 10 skaters in the mid-term rankings.  Moose Jaw Warriors’ smooth-skating rearguard Morgan Rielly is franked fifth and thrilling Red Deer Rebels defenseman Mathew Dumba ranks seventh on the list.  Edmonton Oil Kings rearguard Griffin Reinhart is right behind Dumba at eighth on the list while Derrick Pouliot of the Portland Winterhawks ranks 10^th among North American skaters

Colton Sissons of the Kelowna Rockets remains the highest ranked forward, coming in at No. 14 on the list.  Sissons, a product of North Vancouver, B.C., currently leads the Rockets with 21 goals this season after putting up 17 goals and 41 points in 63 games as a rookie last year.

Mike Winther of the Prince Albert Raiders has propelled himself up to 26^th in the rankings with his strong play.  Winther, a product of Trochu, AB, leads the Raiders with 22 goals this season.

18-year-old Russian netminder Andrey Makarov of the Saskatoon Blades is the top-ranked WHL goaltender in Central Scouting’s mis-term rankings, coming in at No. 8 among North American netminders.  Makarov helped Russia to a Silver medal at the 2012 World Junior Championship.

Red Deer’s Patrik Bartosak is ranked 10^th on the list while Chris Driedger of the Calgary Hitmen and Mackenzie Skapski of the Kootenay Ice come in at No. 12 and No. 14, respectively.

In total 39 WHL skaters and five WHL goaltender are among those ranked in NHL Central Scouting’s mid-term rankings.

NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING MID-TERM RANKINGS:

North American Skaters

North American Goaltenders