After looking at a big riser (Logan Brown) and a player who might have dropped a bit (Michael McLeod) last week, today I look at a potential draft pick that has a varying ranking.

Perhaps it is because of the uncertainty of the league he plays in, because it isn't the greatest competition, but Tyson Jost turned a lot of heads for Team Canada at the World Under 18 Championships.

Jost is a 5'11", 190 lb center from Penticton in the BCHL, who will join the storied University of North Dakota program next season.

RANKINGS:

Central Scouting - 16th NA
ISS - 9th overall
Bob McKenzie - 11th overall
mynhldraft.com - 11th overall
McKeens - 15th overall

So as you can see, there is a wide range of thoughts on what he can become. He put up 42 goals and 104 points in 48 games with Penticton this season, so there is certainly some skill there. The last first round pick from a Canadian Jr. A league were Senators centre Kyle Turris (3rd overall) and Riley Nash (21st overall) in 2007. Players from this league traditionally go to US College, which is why they aren't in the CHL, and as a result are usually a longer-term project, just like those selected from US high school or the US Under 18 development program (Colin White for example). There will likely be 2 Penticton Vees players selected in the first round, as Jost's teammate Dante Fabbro could also be a lottery pick and is almost assured of being selected in the top 30.

Jost might not be blessed with great size, but his speed and shot are his best attributes, in a time where speed kills that is certainly a positive. He also sees the ice well and has a quick, accurate shot.

He isn't necessarily going to initiate physical play, but can protect the puck in traffic and his skill set has him with top 6 potential.

The comparisons to Turris are prevalant, and essentially he is regarded as slightly less skilled, but more open to playing in the tougher areas than Turris was at the same point in their respective development.

Jost is a guy that is probably 3, maybe 4 years away from being a real contributor at the NHL level, so this would be a pick for the future. The league he plays in obviously affects how the scouting world has been able to judge him, but his Under-18 performance (leading the tournament in scoring with 15 points in 7 games) should alleviate a lot of concerns about his top end ability and what his ceiling is.

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