Four Vancouver Giants have been named to NHL Central Scouting's midterm rankings for the 2025 NHL Draft: forwards Cameron Schmidt and Aaron Obobaifo, defenceman Mazden Leslie and goaltender Burke Hood.
NHL Central Scouting revealed the lists of the top North American skaters and goalies, along with the top International skaters and goalies, on Tuesday morning, Jan. 14.
Schmidt was once again the highest rated Giant. After being named a "B" skater in the preliminary rankings in October, Schmidt is now the 30th ranked North American Skater in these mid-term rankings, which they classify as 'Round 1'. He scored a goal and added an assist for Team CHL in the inaugural CHL USA Prospects Challenge in November and is currently second in the WHL in goals with 29. Schmidt leads Vancouver in scoring with 48 points in 35 games.
Despite only playing 13 games this season due to injury, Obobaifo was ranked 150th among N.A. skaters, or 'Round 5'. The 17-year-old started the season on fire with six goals and four assists in his first nine games. He is currently out indefinitely, but clearly made a mark on scouts with his early season play.
Leslie has been on a tear since returning from the holiday break and was ranked 196th among N.A skaters, or 'Round 7'. With an assist on Saturday in a win over Kelowna, the Giants 19-year-old captain increased his point streak to five games, with 10 points during that span. This is Leslie's third draft-eligible season.
Hood is the 25th ranked North American goaltender on the rankings. The 17-year-old is 8-6-4-0 in his first WHL season with a 3.56 goals-against average, .895 save percentage and two shutouts. He was named the WHL's Goaltender of the Week lafter going 3-0-0 with back-to-back shutouts.
Giants are one of four WHL teams with four players listed.
The Giants had previously had four players crack the 'Preliminary Players to Watch' List, which was released on October 23. At that time, Schmidt, Obobaifo, Matthew Hutchison and Hood were all named.
A total of 66 Western Hockey League players were listed on the midterm rankings, made up of 38 WHL forwards, 21 defencemen and seven goaltenders.