Bobcat Forward Irey Named Player to Watch for 2019 NHL Draft
TORONTO, ONT — The NHL Central Scouting Service named Bismarck Bobcats forward and Bismarck native Kirklan Irey a “Player to Watch” for the upcoming 2019 NHL Draft on Wednesday.
“I found out about [being on the list] when my brother called me this morning,” recalled Irey, a product of Century High School in Bismarck. “It’s exciting to be on Central Scouting’s radar and it’s also very humbling.”
Irey has had a meteoric rise since making the Bobcats out of Main Camp in 2018: not did the former Patriot get the nod from the NHL CSS, he also committed to play Division I college hockey for Bemidji State after being recruited during the Cats’ three preseason games.
“It’s always exciting for our program to be able to have a player on the Central Scouting list, but it’s even more special for us to know that we helped get the exposure and opportunity for a guy from right here in our backyard,” stated Bobcats head coach and general manager Layne Sedevie, himself a product of Bismarck.
“And I think that this may be one he prints out and frames and keeps as a memory forever—any time you have something with your name and the letter ‘NHL’ it’s a really special thing.”
For the 2018-19 season, Central Scouting has given players ratings of A, B, C, and Player to Watch; ‘A’ through ‘C’ correspond with prospects that have the highest odds of being picked in the 2019 NHL Draft, while prospects on the “Players to Watch” list are those whose draft stock is on the rise and has the potential to move up into the letter grade range.
It is the second straight season that at least one current or former Bobcat has made the NHL’s official draft prospect list; Ryan Ullan and Bobcat alum Chase Hartje were both listed throughout the 2017-18 season.
Irey and the Bobcats will play their first home game of 2018-19 on Friday at 7:15pm when the archrival Minot Minotauros come to the VFW Sports Center for the Cats’ 2018 Home Opener.
Fans can buy & print tickets 24 hours a day at BismarckBobcats.com or by clicking “Shop Now” on the team Facebook page.
Season tickets for the 2018-19 campaign are still available and going fast! Fans can sign up or find more information at BismarckBobcats.com or by calling the Bobcat Box Office at 222-3300.