Cole Hawes of the Dartmouth Subways is the top-ranked Nova Scotian for QMJHL draft in June.
The five-foot-10, 166-pound forward from Tangier is ranked in the second round after finishing third on the Subways with 21 goals and six assists for 27 points in 35 games as a rookie in the Nova Scotia Major Midget Hockey League.
No other Bluenoser is ranked in the first three rounds.
“He’s extremely gifted offensively,” said Subways head coach Jason Troini. “He’s got a great shot, real hard, real precise, and he’s got real slick hands. He’s probably one of the best I’ve seen at handling the puck, that’s for sure.”
Local hockey fans may know Hawes’ brother, Tyler, a six-foot-three 230-pounder who spent five seasons in the Q and scored 29 goals as an over-ager with Rouyn-Noranda.
“Tyler was bigger, but Cole’s maybe more gifted offensively,” Troini said, when asked how they compare.
Halifax McDonald’s goalie Richard Tingley (fourth round), Subways forward Cody Peveril of Lower Sackville (fifth round) and Cole Harbour McCain defenceman Brendan Duke (fifth round) are others ranked in the first five rounds.
Former Subways forward Kody Orr and Halifax Lions junior A blue-liner Ian Saab earned fourth-round rankings.
