NHL scouts continue to have eye on Wasilla native

WASILLA — National Hockey League scouts continue to keep an eye on Tanner Schachle,

Schachle of Wasilla, is once again listed among NHL Central Scouting’s players to watch for the 2015 NHL draft. The 17-year-old former Wasilla High standout who now plays Junior A hockey for the North American Hockey League’s Kenai River Brown Bears, was included on the bureau’s preliminary list earlier this year. Schachle’s name remains on the updated list, which was released Thursday.

“Just to be projected is a humbling honor for him. I do know he’s a player that wants to make this a career. No doubt in my mind, he has the potential to do that if he continues down the right path,” Kenai River head coach Geoff Beauparlant said earlier this year, after Schachle was originally included among the scouting bureau’s players to watch.

Schachle is listed with a “C” rating, which indicates the potential to be selected in the fourth through sixth rounds of the 2015 NHL Draft, slated for June 26-27 at the BB&T center in Sunrise, Florida. Inclusion on the list does not guarantee a player will be drafted.

Schachle is one of 10 NAHL players on the players to watch list. Only Topeka goalie Matej Tomek received higher than a “C” rating. Tomek is at the “B” level, according to the bureau. Schachle is also one of two Alaska players in the NAHL on the list. Odessa defenseman Christian Hausinger, an Anchorage native, also received a “C” rating. At least two other Alaskans are also on the list. Anchorage’s Eric Schierhorn, a goalie for Muskegon of the United States Hockey League is listed with a “C” rating. Anchorage winger Gage Mackie, now a member of the Shattuck-St. Mary’s prep school program in Minnesota, also received a “C” rating.

Through Kenai River’s 6-1 loss to Wenatchee on Friday, Schachle had played in all 22 games for the Brown Bears this season. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound left wing has two goals and two assists.

For more on Schachle see http://tinyurl.com/m96d9rg.