Count Ottawa 67's coach Jeff Brown among those surprised by Travis Konecny's current NHL draft ranking.

Konecny was ranked 26th among North American skaters on Central Scouting's midterm player rankings after being ranked as high as 10th on some lists heading into his first season as captain of the OHL club.

With 19 goals -- including five game-winners -- and 41 points in 42 games this season and heading into a deep draft led by the likes of Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel, Konecny will be selected later than he would be than in a year with a weaker crop.

But many will suggest the 5-foot-10, 171-pound 17-year-old still isn't getting the respect he deserves. Brown is inclined to agree

"To see him at 26 is kind of shocking," Brown said before the 67's hit the ice for practice at TD Place Thursday. "He's a great hockey player, he's a real special talent."

Konecny wasn't on the ice for practice as he was in St. Catharines to play in Thursday's CHL/NHL Top Prospects game, along with 67's goalie Liam Herbst. Even before the game, Konecny was drawing notice for his abilities leading up to the game, finishing first in the off-ice fitness testing and third in the on-ice portion behind only McDavid and London Knights' Mitchell Marner.

Brown isn't an easy guy to please and has preached the importance of playing a 200-foot game and buying into a system that takes the emphasis off individual accomplishment, repeating several times he wants guys playing for the crest on their jerseys and "not the name on the back."

Konecny, who has played on the right wing for much of the season instead of his natural centre spot, isn't immune from that criticism and is all-around game has improved as a result, even if that may translate into a few less points on his stat sheet.

"The stuff I've been hard on him (for), that's stuff you learn," said Brown. "He's got an incredible motor (and) great speed and shooting (ability), he can do it all."

The one upside to falling in the mid-season rankings, said Brown, will be the motivation factor.

"That's actually what's good about it," said the coach. "He got knocked down a bit, now he's just going to climb quick.

"He'll move back up."

Brown was also pleased to see Herbst get the call to suit up for Team Orr in the prospects showcase after Barrie goalie Mackenzie Blackwood couldn't go due to illness. Herbst recently returned after missing 13 games with an injury but has otherwise been a big part of getting the 67's back into a playoff spot this year.

"He's been pretty solid for us in the net," Brown said. "For him to get this opportunity is well-deserved and hopefully he'll make the best of it."

67'S SHINE AT PROSPECTS GAME

Both Ottawa 67's had strong showing at Thursday's CHL/NHL Top Prospeccts but it was captain Travis Konecny who stole the show.

Playing on a line with Connor McDavid and Timo Meier, Konecny had two goals just 3:28 apart in the third period and added an assist for Team Orr, which beat Team Cherry 6-0 in the annual showcase.

The 17-year-old, who was last year's OHL rookie of the year, earned player of the game honours for his team and didn't exactly hurt his efforts to climb the Central Scouting draft rankings after being listed in 26th spot among North American skaters this week. He also showed off his ability to play a physical game, laying out Adam Chlapik with an open-ice hit in the first period.

Meier, who plays for the Halifax Mooseheads, assisted on both Konecny goals as part of a three-point night of his own.

After being being a late addition to Team Orr, 67's goalie Liam Herbst was perfect in his 30 minutes of action, making 21 saves to preserve the shutout. Herbst was particularly busy in the third period as Team Cherry poured on the pressure. It was a feel-good story for the goalie, who struggled with major injuries early in his OHL career before coming to Ottawa where he's taken over as the team's top goalie this season.

BIG GAME FRIDAY

Coming off a huge weekend in which they won three games in three days, the 67's have will host the Belleville Bulls Friday night.

While any opportunity for two points is important for Ottawa, Friday's game is particularly significant with the Bulls sitting four points back of the 67's for fourth spot in the Eastern Conference. A win will give Ottawa some breathing room while a loss would drop the 67's lead to two points.

"This is a team we're battling for playoff position and it's a four-point game," said Brown.

It's also Ottawa's only game of the weekend and Brown wants to see the momentum from last weekend carry over.

"You get on a roll like that and finding ways to win, you've got to keep going and keep the pressure up," he said.

Puck-drop between the 67's and Bulls is set for 7:30 p.m. at TD Place.

Twitter: @chrishofley