A Fort McMurray born hockey player is being looked at as a potential first-round pick in this year’s NHL Draft.

Sebastian Cossa, goaltender for the Edmonton Oil Kings, is one of 36 players in the Western Hockey League named to the NHL Central Scouting’s ‘Players to Watch’ list.

Back in October, he was given a ‘B’ ranking which projected him to be a second or third-round pick, however, he’s since been upgraded to an ‘A’ rank prospect.

Only three goalies have been drafted in the first round in the past five years – Jake Oettinger in 2017, Spencer Knight in 2019, and Yaroslav Askarov.

Last season in 33 games, Cossa posted a .921 save percentage and 2.23 goals-against average.

The other five WHL players given an ‘A’ ranking include Oil Kings forward Dylan Guenther, Moose Jaw Warriors forward Ryder Korczak, Winnipeg Ice defenceman Carson Lambos, Seattle Thunderbirds forward Conner Roulette, and Medicine Hat Tigers forward Cole Sillinger.

If drafted, Cossa would become one of the few born or raised in Fort McMurray to do so – joining notable names as Scottie Upshall and Chris Phillips.