Hawks’ Trio Excited by NHL Central Scouting Nod, But Focused on Task Ahead
October 28, 2022 – Western Hockey League (WHL) – Portland Winterhawks News Release
Portland, Ore. – Earlier this week, three Winterhawks earned a spot on NHL Central Scouting’s “Preliminary Players to Watch” list, the first in a series of lists that will be published throughout the season detailing and ranking players who are likely to be selected in the 2023 NHL Draft, set for June 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tenn.
Luca Cagnoni, Carter Sotheran and Jan Špunar have caught the attention of the NHL after strong starts to the 2022-23 campaign.
Cagnoni, 17, enters his first draft-eligible season as a December-born ’04, meaning that while much the 2004-born class was eligible for last season’s draft, the Burnaby, BC native joins the 2005-born crop due to the NHL’s September birthdate cutoff for players in a given year.
But that could play to his benefit. With a full season under his belt, Cagnoni knows he has eyes on him, and is off to a strong start with a point-per-game average and the scoring lead among team defensemen with three goals and five assists. Cagnoni earned a “B” rating on the preliminary list, signifying a likely second- or third-round pick, but that’s hardly the ceiling for the electrifying blueliner.
Luca Cagnoni earned a “B” rating from NHL Central Scouting (Photo: Megan Connelly)
“Obviously it feels a bit different having that draft year…it’s in your head a little bit more that it is your draft year and you have to perform, but at the end of the day, it’s just business,” he said. “You come into the rink every day with a good mindset and every game’s the same. No matter if it was my first year here or my last, it’s the same mindset.”
The mindset Cagnoni speaks of is key to his success – while he’s keenly aware of the importance of this season, there are still eight months to go before he potentially hears his name called in Nashville.
“I don’t want to pay too much attention to it because there are still like 60 games to play. I’m just trying to focus on the little details right now with Mike and the coaching staff and just play the right way,” he said.
Cagnoni’s defense partner for much of the season also found his name listed on Wednesday.
Sotheran, also 17, has emerged as a key contributor on the Hawks’ blue line during his rookie campaign. Born in June 2005, Sotheran also enters his first draft-eligible season alongside Cagnoni thanks to his earlier birthdate.
The Sanford, Man. native starred for the Pembina Valley Hawks last season, earning the Manitoba Under-18 Hockey League’s Defenseman of the Year award and First All-Star Team honors while leading all MU18HL blueliners in both goals (20) and points (54).
Now, he finds himself on the NHL radar during his first WHL campaign, notching a “C” rating (fourth-round or later).
Carter Sotheran skates with the puck in a game earlier this month. (Photo: Pat Kempany)
“My dad sent (the list) to me and my mom…it was amazing being named with all those great players, obviously super proud, but it goes out to my teammates, my coaches for helping me get here now,” said Sotheran.
With six assists and a spot in the lineup for every game so far this season, Sotheran has clearly adjusted well to life in the Rose City. It’s a transition he says has been helped by his teammates – Dante Giannuzzi, in particular.
“Dante, living with him right now, he’s always been a really good guy, really big role model for me,” said Sotheran, “Every guy in the locker room is a great guy, they’ve all been really nice and welcoming ever since I got here and keep pushing me (to get better) every day. I think it’s been a group effort, but yeah Dante’s definitely been a big help, making the transition here easy and not worrying about home every day.”
Despite his early personal success, though, it’s all about team W’s for the Sanford product.
“There are definitely things I need to work on in the games, there’s a lot we’ve been talking about in video (meetings), but I just want to keep going and hopefully we keep winning. That’s all we really care about right now,” he said.
Another first-year member of Portland’s roster rounds out the trio, as Jan Špunar appears on the list in back-to-back years. Now in his second draft-eligible campaign, Špunar is skating in North America for the first time in his career in an effort to get more attention on his game.
Jan Špunar (left) celebrates his first WHL win on Oct. 1. (Photo: Matt Wolfe)
“It’s one part of why I am here, being closer to NHL scouts. I also wanted to see how the hockey is here (in North America), I heard it’s better here and I like it here more. So yeah half of it is because the scouts are here, half of it is because of wanting to learn the hockey and the culture here and everything,” said Špunar.
A native of Olomouc, CZE, Špunar was selected in the first round, #52 overall, of the 2022 CHL Import Draft back in July as the Winterhawks looked to bolster their goaltending ranks. Just a few months later, the 6-foot-3, 185-pound netminder is now 2-0-0 on the year and has stopped 59 of 65 shots in three total appearances to kick off his Winterhawks career.
Despite the notable language barrier between Czech and English, the general unease of coming to an entirely new culture and living with a new family and the difficulties of adjusting to the physical demands of Winterhawks practices, Špunar continues to find comfort on and off the ice in the Rose City.
“It was really hard at the start, but now it keeps getting better…my language is getting better and I feel more comfortable in the locker room,” said Špunar.
“I’m just happy to be (on the list). It’s a pleasure to see my name up there and I hope it just keeps getting better and better throughout the season.”
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