Kelowna's Seth Barton listed as a likely 2018 NHL draft pick by NHL Central Scouting

A Kelowna native and former Okanagan Rocket is one step closer to his NHL dream.

NHL Central Scouting unveiled its November edition of ‘Players to Watch’ for the 2018 draft and included on the list for the first time is defenceman Seth Barton.

Barton is a product of the Kelowna Minor Hockey Association and played two years for the Okanagan Rockets before moving on to the BCHL.

The 18-year-old has played 22 games for the Trail Smoke Eaters, who are the top team in the BCHL (15th in the country) so far this season, according to the CJHL rankings.

"Making the jump from major midget hockey to Junior A is not easy, at least it shouldn’t be, and Seth has made the transition seamlessly," said the voice of the Smoke Eaters, Wylie Henderson. "He is poised and calm on the ice and packs an offensive-punch from the blue line."

Henderson added a pretty flattering NHL comparison for Barton, at least when it comes to his poise on the ice.

"I remember when Chris Tanev found his way with the Canucks and Kevin Bieksa was quoted as saying 'Chris could play the game while smoking a cigarette.' I feel that way about Seth. He doesn’t get rattled at all."

In his 22 games with Trail, the 6’2” defenceman has four goals and nine assists for 13 points and just signed a letter of intent to play hockey for the University of Massachusetts-Lowell next year.

After commiting to the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Seth Barton makes it official, by signing his National letter-of-intention. #BCHL #NCAA pic.twitter.com/j0vpbtYtTN

— Trail Smoke Eaters (@BCHLSmokeEaters) November 15, 2017

Barton was given a ‘C’ rating by NHL Central Scouting, so he’s expected to be a fourth, fifth or sixth round pick in the draft.

Seven other BCHL players were listed as ‘Players to Watch’ including two players who are playing on Okanagan teams.

Penticton defenceman Jonny Tychonick was given a ‘B’ rating, which means he’s expected to be a second or third round pick, while Vernon Vipers forward Brett Stapley was given a ‘C’ rating like Barton.