USHL Clubs Prepare for Futures Draft
Published on May 11, 2009 under United States Hockey League (USHL) News Release
Grand Forks, North Dakota - The United States Hockey League (USHL) crowned the Indiana Ice as Clark Cup champions last Friday, bringing a close to the most exciting season in the league's 30-year history.
So, after a full weekend of respite, the League's coaches and general managers now make preparations for next season beginning with the USHL Futures Draft on Tuesday, May 12th.
The USHL Futures Draft consists of five rounds and allows each of the 13 member clubs to draft players who were born in 1993. These 65 players will then be placed on the affiliate list of their respective clubs for the 2009-10 season. USHL teams retain the rights to players selected in the Futures Draft for three years and can add these players to the active roster at any time during the season.
Traditionally conducted in the fall since it became a part of the League's player procurement process, Tuesday's Futures Draft will be held in May for the first time. The move was made by the USHL to continue its commitment of aggressively promoting the American Development Model and offering a greater opportunity for North America's elite "U-17"'s to work towards a position in the USHL. The Futures Draft is held in conjunction and cooperation with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP) selection process for U-17 players. The NTDP becomes a full-time member of the USHL for the 2009-10 season.
USHL Central Scouting has the task of identifying the top players born in 1993 and have submitted that information to USHL teams. Following the draft, 65 of these premier hockey talents begin the journey to a precious USHL roster spot.
Typically, players chosen in the Futures Draft have not yet quite reached the level of physical or emotional maturity necessary to play a regular shift over a full USHL season. Staying in contact with their USHL teams, these players generally continue to develop their hockey skills during 2009-10 at a number of levels - usually midget, high school, prep school, or a lower level of junior hockey - with the hope of entering the USHL in 2010-11 as more complete and experienced players.
The selection order for the Futures Draft is not based on standings. The order was selected through a random drawing in March, meaning every team has the same probability of gaining the top pick. Since the completion of that drawing, the USHL has awarded a new membership for a club that will play the 2009-10 season in Youngstown, Ohio. Per league rules, the new member will have the top pick in the first round of the Futures Draft.
2009 Futures Draft Order
1. Youngstown
2. Cedar Rapids
3. Waterloo
4. Lincoln
5. Fargo
6. Sioux City
7. Sioux Falls
8. Indiana
9. Green Bay
10. Des Moines
11. Chicago
12. Tri-City
13. Omaha
After the first round, the second round will pick in reverse order, meaning Omaha, which had the last pick in the first round, will have the first pick in the second round, followed by Tri-City, Chicago, and so forth.
USHL.com will provide complete coverage of the 2009 Futures Draft. To follow each of the five rounds live, visit www.ushldraft.com and visit www.ushl.com for additional information regarding the draft.
The USHL celebrated its 30th season of junior hockey in 2008-09. With over 170 players already committed to NCAA Division I schools and 16 NHL Draft picks that played in the league this season, the USHL is the nation's foremost producer of junior hockey talent. For more information, visit us on the web at www.ushl.com.
United States Hockey League Stories from May 11, 2009
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