Draisaitl among players to watch at Memorial Cup

Kelowna-Rockets

Leon Draisaitl of the Kelowna Rockets. (Marissa Baecker/Getty)

QUEBEC — Five players to watch at the MasterCard Memorial Cup:

1. Leon Draisaitl, Kelowna Rockets: The six-foot-one, 210-pound centre led the Rockets in playoff scoring with 10 goals and 28 points in 19 games. Drafted third overall by Edmonton in 2014, the German started the season with the Oilers, then was returned to the Western Hockey League in January.

2. Adam Erne, Quebec Remparts: The Tampa Bay Lightning, already loaded with scoring talent, have another on the way with the six-foot-one 218-pound left winger. The New Haven, Conn. native was second in QMJHL playoff scoring with 21 goals and nine assists in 22 games. Picked 33rd overall by the Bolts in 2013.

3. Jan Kostalek, Rimouski Oceanic: The six-foot-one, 195 pound defenceman was force as the Oceanic topped the Remparts in the QMJHL final. The 20-year-old Czech had eight goals and 21 points in 20 post-season games. Drafted 114th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in 2013.

4. Michael Dal Colle, Oshawa Generals: Led the generals with 93 points in the regular season and tied with teammate Cole Cassels for second in OHL playoff scoring (behind Erie’s Connor McDavid) with 31 points in 21 games. Picked fifth overall by the New York Islanders in 2014.

5. Nick Merkley, Kelowna: The 17-year-old’s stock for the 2015 draft keeps rising. A five-foot-10 centre, Merkley is a playmaker with a tenacious, energetic game. The Calgary native was third in WHL playoff scoring with five goals and 27 points.

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