Former Anaheim Jr. Ducks defenseman Slava Demin was ranked the 32nd North American skater on the NHL Central Scouting mid-term rankings, which were released recently.

That means that Demin, a 2000 birth year, is viewed as a potential second-round draft choice in June’s NHL Entry Draft.

Demin, who played Bantam and Midget 16U for the Jr. Ducks, is in his second season playing for the Wenatchee Wild of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL).

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Demin had 42 points (9 goals-33 assists) through 46 games and was the third-highest scoring defenseman in the BCHL. That total is seventh highest on the Wild, which is the highest-scoring team in the BCHL.

Demin’s Wild teammates include a trio of other former Jr. Ducks – defensemen Nicholas Kent and Chad Sasaki and forward Jack Lippis.

Demin committed to the University of Denver in late 2016 and signed a National Letter of Intent in November.

“Demin is a great skater who uses his strengths to his advantage,” Denver assistant coach Tavis MacMillan said after it was announced Demin had signed his NLI. “His ability to take away time and space will add to the tradition of great Denver defensemen.”

Demin is one of 12 players with ties to the Jr. Ducks to make a Division I commitment in the past four seasons. Current 16U AAA forward Josh Groll committed to Michigan in late October.

Six others beside Demin committed last season – Kent (Quinnipiac), forward Patrick Choi (Bentley), center Shane McMahan (Minnesota State), defenseman Rourke Russell (Miami), forward Eetu Selanne (Northeastern) and defenseman Cam York (Boston College).

Sasaki (Colorado College), Justin Dixson (UMass-Amherst) and Jack Gates (Colorado College) committed during the 2014-15 season and Rory Herrman (Arizona State) committed the next season. In addition, one of Herrman’s teammates, goaltender Carl Stankowski, is playing for Seattle of the Western Hockey League and was ranked by Central Scouting at the beginning of this season.

- Chris Bayee