Two Vernon Vipers players are getting buzz for the 2025 NHL Draft.

Defenceman Cooper Cleaves and forward Shea Busch were listed on the NHL Central Scouting Preliminary Players to Watch list. 

Cleaves is a six-foot-four, 220-pound right-shot rearguard who has accumulated six assists in 11 games this season. Brother to former Viper Hank, the 18-year-old will attend Dartmouth University for post-secondary studies.

Dual German/Canadian national Busch is in his second season with the Vipers. After a 20-point season in 53 games in 2023-24, the six-foot-two, 200-pound forward already has 11 points in as many games to start the 2024-25 year. The 17-year-old will be attending Penn State University for post-secondary. 

Players were sorted into five categories: A, B, C, W, and LV: A indicates a first-round candidate, B a second/third-round candidate, C a fourth/fifth-round candidate, W a sixth/seventh-round candidate, and LV indicating injured players who have not had sufficient viewings to be categorized. 

Cleaves and Busch were both given the W rating. Nine total BCHL players were named to the list, representing Sherwood Park (three), Cranbrook, Penticton, Victoria and West Kelowna.

The full list can be found at