Rangers’ import centre Radek Faksa is hoping to be the next Kitchener product to hear his name called in the first round when the National Hockey League 2012 Entry Draft kicks off this evening at 7:00pm EST from the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

Recent drafts have seen Rangers go early: in 2008, Mikkel Boedker was a top-ten pick of the Phoenix Coyotes, a feat repeated by Jeff Skinner in 2010 when he was selected seventh overall by Carolina. Last year, two Kitchener skaters went in the opening round – second-overall pick and Calder Trophy winner Gabriel Landeskog (Colorado), and defenseman Ryan Murphy, who joined Skinner in the Hurricanes’ fold at number 12.

When the draft commences on Friday evening, the general consensus is that Faksa won’t wait long to hear his name called. Ranked seventh amongst North American-based skaters by NHL Central Scouting, the Czech-born centre is expected to go in the first round, with many observers pegging him as a possible top-ten pick. A three-time OHL Rookie of the Month, Faksa enjoyed a stellar season in Kitchener, scoring 29 goals and 66 points, more than any other freshman in the league. After moving to Canada last autumn with the goal of being noticed by scouts and finding his way to the NHL, it seems his sacrifice is about to pay off.

Faksa is not the only Ranger nervously awaiting this weekend’s draft. Four of his teammates were also included in Central Scouting’s Final Rankings: forward Matia Marcantuoni, blueliners Max Iafrate and Evan McEneny and goaltender Franky Palazzese all made the list.

The Rangers will be providing updates on players from the 2012 NHL Entry Draft through our website and on Twitter.

Televised coverage of the first round begins tonight at 7:00pm EST on TSN, followed by additional rounds beginning Saturday morning at 10:00am.