NHL Central Scouting released their 2012 NHL Draft Midterm Rankings and a pair of Niagara IceDogs were among the rankings.

Defenceman Jesse Graham was the top rated IceDog, ranked 119th among North American skaters, while Joel Wigle also cracked the list at 182nd.

Both Graham and Wigle are in their second year with the IceDogs and both have already bested their point totals from their first season.

Graham has been excellent for Niagara over his year and a half with the team, contributing greatly in his role as an offensive defenceman.  The sophomore defenceman currently has 21 points (three goals, 18 assists) in 39 games and sits second on the team in scoring for a defenceman, behind only Dougie Hamilton.  His 18 points during his rookie season also placed him second on the team in scoring by a defenceman last year.

In Wigle, this season has seen some great improvement in his play, already having tripled his point total from three points in his rookie year to nine points (five goals and four assists) this season.  In addition Wigle provides some solid physical play, using his 6'2", 190 lbs. frame to his advantage.  It is the combination of his size, along with some offensive skill that has caught the attention of NHL Central Scouting.

The IceDogs would like to congratulate both Jesse and Joel on their rankings and look forward to their continued success over the rest of the season leading up to the NHL Draft in Pittsburgh in June where we hope to hear their names called.