Hockey : Craig Simpson, Only 16, Is a Star at Michigan State

Each year, the National Hockey League’s Central Scouting bureau rates the best amateur players who will be available for next June’s draft. Central Scouting uses eight full-time scouts and six part-timers, under the direction of Jim Gregory.

While the 1985 class does not appear to be very deep, several players already have caught the eyes of the scouts and are rated as certain first-round selections.

For the first time, an American collegiate player could be the top pick. Craig Simpson, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound center for Michigan State, became the first 16-year-old to play varsity hockey in the United States. He also was the highest-rated player coming out of midget hockey when he opted for college rather than Canadian juniors.

The native of London, Ontario, is considered the best player in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and is being wooed by Canadian Olympic Team Coach Dave King. But if the NHL calls, he said “I’ll have to listen.”

“When he’s 21, he could be a grreat skater,” said Red Berenson, a former NHL regular who coaches the University of Michigan. “In the draft, Simpson has everything the NHL teams are looking for.”

Other highly rated players in the early scouting reports are forwards Danny Gratton of Oshawa of the Ontario Hockey League, Stephane Roy of Chicoutimi of the Quebec Major Junior League, and Rayn Stewart of Kamloops of the Western League; defensemen Alain Cote of Quebec (QMJHL), David Espe of White Bear Lake (Minn.) High School, and David Manson of Prince Albert (WHL), and goalie Kay Whitmore of Peterborough (OHL).

If you think Wayne Gretzky dominates all the NHL’s offensive categories for which he is eligible, you’re in for a surprise. Gretzky surely is the greatest scorer the game has known, but he has company among league scoring leaders this year.

For instance, Tim Kerr of Philadelphia led the NHL at the halfway mark with 13 power-play goals. Mike Bullard was second with 11.

Kerr and Edmonton’s Jari Kurri (Gretzky’s linemate) were tops with six game-winning goals; Gretzky had five.

Though Gretzky had 177 shots on goal (almost 4 1/2 per game), he trailed Boston defenseman Ray Bourque by 26 shots. And Gretzky wasn’t anywhere to be seen in the shooting percentage rankings, which were led by Pittsburgh rookie Warren Young (35.7) and Kurri (29.6).

It should be no shock, however, that Young and Kurri were up there: Gretzky sets up most of Kurri’s goals with perfect passes and rookie sensation Mario Lemieux does much the same thing for Young.

Statistically, the most improved teams through 40 games were Pittsburgh, up 15 points from 23 to 38, and New Jersey and Washington, up 12 apiece. All three teams are in the Patrick Division, with the Capitals on top and the Penguins and Devils battling the New York Rangers for the fourth and final playoff berth.

The Rangers had the second-worst falloff, from 29 points to 34. Toronto fell from 35 to 17.

Philadelphia has come closest to repeating its half-season total of 1983-84, collecting 53 points this season as opposed to 52 last year.