USHL Dubuque Fighting Saints

Four Fighting Saints Named to USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game

Published on January 5, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release


Four Fighting Saints were among those named to the inaugural USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game presented by CCM, to be held on Tuesday, January 24th, 2012 at the L.C. Walker Arena in Muskegon, Michigan.

Zemgus Girgensons, Mike Matheson, and Cody Bradley are scheduled to participate in the game. Mike Downing, who was named to the roster, will not participate in the game due to the heavy academic and playing schedule he faces after returning to the Fighting Saints from international competition.

Girgensons, Matheson, and Bradley will be in their first year of NHL Draft eligibility for the 2012 Entry Draft, which will occur in Pittsburgh this summer. Downing, the youngest player on the Fighting Saints roster, will become eligible the first time for the 2013 Draft.

"I'm really happy for all of our players who were selected - this honor is well deserved," said Fighting Saints Head Coach Jim Montgomery. "They are talented young hockey players who continue to get better each day. The Fighting Saints continue to recruit and develop players who are outstanding student athletes who can develop into outstanding professional hockey players."

The game, which is the first of its kind for the USHL, will showcase many of the top USHL players eligible for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

A total of 30 players selected are in their first year of eligibility for the NHL Entry Draft. Seven of the players are draft-eligible for the second time this year. In addition, the USHL will showcase three players who are eligible to be drafted by NHL teams in 2013.

The selection process for the players was completed in cooperation with USHL General Managers, NHL scouts and decision makers, and NHL Central Scouting.

"We're proud to be able to provide such a great night and stage for some of our young stars," said USHL President and Commissioner Skip Prince. "It's also a credit not just to the players, but the education-based American development model we celebrate in the USHL - that is, that you can remain NCAA-eligible, play Division I college hockey, and fulfill the dream of playing in the National Hockey League."

The 2012 NHL Entry Draft takes place June 22-23 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Last summer, a total of 37 players with USHL experience - 28 from the 2010-11 season and nine USHL alumni - were selected by NHL teams in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

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