BROOKS, AB (October 4, 2016) – Brooks Bandits defenceman Cale Makar (Calgary, AB) has been named to the NHL Central Scouting Players to Watch List as a “B”-rated, or 2nd – 3rd round, prospect, it was announced today.
It’s the highest NHL scouting rank for a Bandit player in team history, and Makar is one of three players in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) named to the rankings released today.
Makar, 17, is currently the fifth-highest scoring defenceman in the AJHL, having recorded 8 points (1 goal, 7 assists) in 8 games so far.
In July, the 5’10”, 175lb defenceman was also named to the NHL Central Scouting Futures List, indicating likely draft-eligible prospects.
He was named the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) and Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) Rookie of the Year after scoring 55 points (10 goals, 45 assists) in 54 games in his first season of Junior A competition with the Bandits last season. Makar was also a member of the gold medal-winning Team Canada West at the annual World Junior A Challenge, where he was named to the tournament’s all-star team.
The 5’10”, 175lb defenceman added 14 points (3 goals, 11 assists) in 13 playoff games en route to the Bandits’ AJHL championship win. He scored 7 points (1 goal, 6 assists) in 6 games at the 2016 Western Canada Cup, was named that tournament’s Top Defenceman, and was named to the All-Tournament Team.
Makar also led the 2016 RBC Cup in scoring with 7 points (4 goals, 3 assists) in the 4-game round robin stage, winning the tournament’s Top Scorer, Top Defenceman, and Most Valuable Player awards, becoming only the third player in the history of the RBC Cup to win three individual awards.
He is currently committed to the NCAA Division I University of Massachusetts.
The Bandits’ next home game is this Wednesday, when the team hosts the Olds Grizzlys for another Wild Wednesday, with tickets and alcoholic beverages half-price, a 10% discount at the team merchandise store, and unused season tickets being exchangeable for free tickets to the game. Tickets are available at tickets.brooksbandits.ca with puck drop at 7:00 PM.