Joseph Raaymakers of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.Joseph Raaymakers of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Chatham

Raaymakers Among Top Draft-Eligible Goaltenders

Chatham's Joseph Raaymakers doesn't put a lot of stock in pre-draft rankings.

Despite that, the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds goaltender couldn't help but feel at least a little bit disappointed when he slipped five places to finish 9th among North American goalies according to NHL Central Scouting's final rankings.

"It's nice seeing that I'm ranked, but I can't really pay close attention to it," says Raaymakers. "You just have to keep having an open mind because anything can happen leading into the draft."

As the draft draws closer, Raaymakers will also be looking to some of his teammates for advice.

"Especially the guys who got drafted last year, like Blake Spears and Colton White," says Raaymakers. "They've helped me out along the way and if I had any questions they've been there to answer them for me, so it's been nice to have them around."

Raaymakers says he has been in contact with a few NHL teams already, but he'd still like to hear from a few more before draft day.

Fellow Chatham-native James McEwan, who plays for the Guelph Storm in the OHL, was also included on the Central Scouting final rankings. He's ranked 163rd among North American skaters.

The NHL draft is scheduled to take place from June 24-25 in Buffalo, N.Y.

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