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In a banner year for Hockey East in terms of NHL Draft prospects, Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin remain at the forefront of the NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings.
Eichel, the freshman sensation at Boston University, came in at No. 2 among North American skaters, only in back of Erie Otters star Connor McDavid. Eichel has 11 goals and 23 assists in 20 games played. The North Chelmsford, Mass. native has scored 20 of his 34 points in the third period and overtime, including Sunday's power play goal in the extra session against UMass Lowell.
Hanifin, the Boston College rookie defenseman, is the top rated defensemen in Central Scouting's midterm rankings and comes in at No. 3 overall among North American skaters. The Norwood, Mass. native has three goals and 10 assists and has a +9 plus/minus, good for third best on the Eagles.
BU recruit Jordan Greenway of the US National Team Development Program (USNTDP) is the highest rated Hockey East recruit in the midterm rankings. The big left wing from Potsdam, NY has had an up-and-down campaign, but scouts love his size and potential.
BC commit Colin White is rated No. 27, but several scouting outlets have the Hanover, Mass. native much higher. Futures Consideration, ISS and McKeen's have the center rated in the middle of the first round.
Hockey East Players on NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings (North American Skaters)
| Rank | Player | Pos. | Current Team (Commitment) |
| 2. | Jack Eichel | C | Boston University |
| 3. | Noah Hanifin | D | Boston College |
| 22. | Jordan Greenway | LW | USNTDP U-18 (Boston University) |
| 27. | Colin White | C | USNTDP U-18 (Boston College) |
| 36. | Jeremy Bracco | RW | USNTDP U-18 (Boston College) |
| 39. | Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson | C | Omaha Lancers (Boston University) |
| 40. | Christian Fischer | RW | USNTDP U-18 (Notre Dame) |
| 57. | Erik Foley | LW | Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (Providence) |
| 71. | A.J. Greer | LW | Boston University |
| 75. | David Cotton | C | Cushing Academy (Boston College) |
| 102. | Casey Fitzgerald | D | USNTDP U-18(Boston College) |
| 109. | John McDermott | C | Westminster School (Boston University) |
| 123. | Marcus Vela | C | Langley Rivermen (New Hampshire) |
| 139. | Brien Diffley | D | Boston University |
| 141. | Brett Seney | LW | Merrimack College |
| 156. | Liam Darcy | D | Berwick Academy (New Hampshire) |
| 162. | Lucas Michaud | RW | Portland Jr. Pirates (Maine) |
| 172. | Ryan Shea | D | BC High (Northeastern) |
| 174. | Jacob Henderson | RW | Omaha Lancers (Providence) |
| 175. | Ethan Spaxman | D | Waterloo BlackHawks (Merrimack College) |
| 187. | Adam Gaudette | C | Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (Northeastern) |
| 201. | Joseph Masonius | D | USNTDP U-18 (New Hampshire) |
Hockey East Players on NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings (North American Goaltenders)
| Rank | Player | Catches | Current Team (Commitment) |
| 11. | Chris Birdsall | L | Youngstown Phantoms (Boston College) |
| 16. | Mike Robinson | L | Lawrence Academy (New Hampshire) |
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Jeff Cox covers college, junior and high school hockey, NCAA recruiting and NHL Draft prospects. Follow him on Twitter @JeffCoxSports.