panoo

Canadian Press
Feb 12, 2007, 9:46 PM EST

TORONTO (CP) - Alexei Cherepanov, an 18-year-old right-winger playing for Omsk of the Russian elite league, is the No. 1-rated prospect for the 2007 NHL entry draft in the International Scouting Services's mid-season report.

Defenceman Karl Alzner of the WHL's Calgary Hitmen is No. 2, and left-winger James Van Riemsdyk of the U.S. under-18 program is No. 3 in the ISS rankings.

Right-winger Patrick Kane of the OHL's London Knights is No. 4, and right-winger Jakub Voracek of the QMJHL's Halifax Mooseheads is No. 5.

Rounding out the top 10 are centre Logan Couture of the OHL's Ottawa 67s, centre Kyle Turris of the BCJHL team in Burnaby, centre Sam Gagner of the Knights, defenceman Keaton Ellerby of the WHL's Kamloops Blazers, and centre Angelo Esposito of the QMJHL's Quebec Remparts.

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