NHL Central Scouting released its Preliminary Players to Watch List for the 2024 NHL Draft on Wednesday, and the list includes three Penticton Vees in Max Heise, Connor MacPherson, and Francesco Dell’Elce.
Heise and Dell’Elce are ranked as ‘C’ skaters, which indicates a second or third round candidate for the NHL Draft. MacPherson is ranked a ‘W’ skater, which indicates a sixth or seventh round pick.
Heise, 17, is in first year with the Vees and has eight points (4G, 4A) in his first 11 games. The Calgary, AB, product has scored four goals in his last three games. The Michigan State commit sits seventh in team scoring.
Dell’Elce is also in his rookie season with the Vees and the 18-year-old defenceman has recorded 10 points (1G, 9A) in 12 games thus far. The King City, ON, product is sixth in team scoring and ranks fifth in the BCHL in points by defencemen. Dell’Elce is committed to the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
MacPherson leads the Vees in scoring with 17 points (6G, 11A) in 12 games this season. He sits third in the BCHL scoring race. The rookie forward is riding a six-game point streak where he has amassed five goals and 10 points. MacPherson is committed to the University of New Hampshire.
In total, 14 BCHL players have been named to NHL Central Scouting’s Players to Watch List.
UP NEXT: The Vees (9-1-1-1) return home on Friday, October 27th, to face the Vernon Vipers at the SOEC. It’s Halloween Night, sponsored by Real Canadian Superstore. Tickets are available at the SOEC box office, or online at www.valleyfirsttix.com.