Two Canes' in Final CSS Rankings

Lethbridge, AB - The Lethbridge Hurricanes are proud to announce 91-born forward Carter Ashton and 91-born defenseman Brennan Yadlowski have both been ranked in the NHL Central Scouting Service's Final Rankings for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft to be held this June. Ashton, the Hurricanes 1st round pick (7th overall) in the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft has been ranked 12th among North American skaters while Yadlowski has been ranked 70th.

Ashton, finished his injury shortened rookie season in 2007-2008 with nine points (5G, 4A) in 40 WHL games. He then had a breakout 2008-2009 season leading the Hurricanes with 30 goals and 10 power play goals this season. He was the recipient of the Hurricanes Top Draft Prospect Award, the Hurricanes Three Stars Award and co-winner of the Hurricanes Community Relations Award. Ashton also participated in the 2009 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Oshawa, Ontario.

Yadlowski had a solid rookie campaign in 07-08 and logged good minutes as a rookie defenseman in the WHL. He was a fifth round pick and the first defenseman chosen by the Hurricanes in the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft (97th overall). In 2008-2009, Yadlowski was a consistent contributor to a developing Hurricanes defense and has improved his rank from 153rd in the CSS Mid Term rankings to 70th. Yadlowski is now a two time winner of the Hurricanes Scholastic Player of the Year award (07-08, 08-09) as well as the Hurricanes Most Improved player award. (07-08, 08-09)

Both Ashton and Yadlowski hail from excellent hockey lineage as Ashton is the son of former NHL journeyman Brent Ashton who played for nine different NHL teams during his 15 year pro career. Yadlowski's father, Warren Yadlowski, is a former Edmonton Oilers draft pick, and WHL Calgary Wrangler. Ironically, the Wranglers would eventually move to Lethbridge to become the present day Hurricanes. Brennan's younger brother Austin is a WHL prospect drafted by the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft.

Both players have seen success in the Hockey Canada "Program of Excellence" as both Yadlowski and Ashton competed in the 2008 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in London, ON as members of Team Pacific and Team Western respectively. Ashton walked away with a bronze medal as a member of Team Western. Most recently, Ashton was selected as a member of the National Men's Under-18 Team at the 2008 Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament in Piestany, Slovakia and Breclav, Czech Republic. Ashton scored the game winning goal in the final to give Team Canada their fourth gold medal in their last five years at this tournament.