23 Minnesotans in Central Scouting's final rankings before NHL draft

Minnetonka's Tommy Vannelli, a defensman for Minnetonka High School, is the highest ranked Gophers prospect in the Central Scouting Bureau's final ratings before the NHL draft in June.

His is rated No. 44, up from No. 77 in the mid-term rankings. That's a nice jump.

It's unclear whether Vannelli will be playing for the Gophers this fall or next. Coach Don Lucia recently said he will bring in three defensmen and named two of them, Jake Bischoff of Grand Rapids and Michael Brodzinski of Blaine. Brodzinski has been playing for Muskegon of the USHL all season. Bischoff joined Omaha of the USHL after the Thunderhawks' high school season ended.

Other ranked future Gophers -- who will be joining the team this fall:

Hudson Fasching, under-18 national team, Apple Valley, forward, No. 70

Taylor Cammarata, Waterloo forward, No. 193

Justin Kloos, Waterloo forward, No. 203

Also ranked is Lincoln forward Vinni Lettieri, No. 209, but he is not expected to be a Gopher until 2014 at least.

The 17 other ranked Minnesotans, which brings the total to 23:

Connor Hurley, Edina HS, No. 45 ... headed for Notre Dame

Teemu Kivihalme, Burnsville HS, No. 64 ... Colorado College

Jake Guentzel, Sioux City, Woodbury, forward, No. 80 ... Nebraska Omaha

Avery Peterson, Grand Rapids HS, forward, No. 86

Grant Besse, Benilde-St. Margaret's HS, No. 106 ... Wisconsin

Jonny Brodzinski, St. Cloud State, forward, No. 132

Parker Reno, Edina HS, defenseman, No. 140 ... RPI

Neal Pionk, Hermantown HS, defenseman, No. 141

Zach Glienke, Eagan HS, forward, No. 160

Jake Jackson, Tartan HS, forward, No. 170

Adam Johnson, Hibbing HS, forward, No. 176

Willie Raskob, Shattuck St. Mary's HS, of Hastings, defenseman, No. 178

Clint Lewis, under-18 national team, Burnsville, defenseman, No. 181

There was also one goalie listed among the top North American netminders: