SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The Sioux Falls Stampede have two players listed in the NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings. Rookie forward Cooper Soller is ranked 183rd, while affiliate defenseman Nicklas Nelson is ranked 218th.

United States Hockey League rookie points leader Cooper Soller was previously listed as a "W" skater on the NHL Central Scouting Preliminary Players to Watch List and now checks in at 183rd in the Midterm Rankings. Through 34 games this season, the Los Angeles, Calif., native has recorded 26 points (15 goals, 11 assists). The Western Michigan University commit has posted six multi-point performances, including a five-point game on November 28 against the USA NTDP U17s. He became the first Stampede rookie to accomplish the feat since Cole Sillinger on January 29, 2021.

Soller was also named to the 2026 Chipotle All-American Game, which will be held at USA Hockey Arena. He and Head Coach Cruthers will represent Team Blue on Thursday night. Fans can watch the 6:00pm CT game on NHL Network. 

Herd affiliate defenseman Nicklas Nelson also earned a spot in the Midterm Rankings, coming in at 218th after being listed as a "W" skater on the preliminary list. Nelson is currently playing Minnesota high school hockey at Monticello High School, where he has tallied 18 points (7 goals, 11 assists) through 15 games. The left-handed defenseman is committed to play Division I hockey at the University of Connecticut.

The final NHL Central Scouting Rankings will be released prior to the draft in early April. The 2025 NHL Entry Draft will take place June 26–27 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y., and will feature a decentralized format, with teams making selections remotely while top prospects gather in Buffalo.