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Muskegon Lumberjacks

Lumberjacks Announce Affiliate and Initial Protected Lists

July 10, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


MUSKEGON, Michigan (July 10th) - Following the recent completion of Tryout Camp in June and arrival of the United States Hockey League's (USHL) deadline to submit an initial protected roster and affiliate list for the upcoming 2014-15 season, the Muskegon Lumberjacks have announced their initial 28-man protected roster that features a total of 17 players that played in the USHL during the 2013-14 season with 14 having skated for the Lumberjacks.

This season's core of returning players is led by recent NHL Draft pick of the Chicago Blackhawks (3rd round at 83rd overall) and Western Michigan University commit in Matt Iacopelli and includes an additional NHL prospect in Matej Paulovic, who was a 5th round pick (149th overall) of the Dallas Stars in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. In addition, six other returnees have already made college commitments following their respective junior careers in Joe Cecconi, Chris Dodero, Robbie DeMontis, Haralds Egle, Cooper Marody, and Jack Rowe.

Below is the list of players that are returning to the Lumberjacks after finishing the 2013-14 campaign in Muskegon:

Forwards

Chris Dodero - Bloomingdale, Illinois (Colorado College commit)

Robbie DeMontis - Kleinburg, Ontario (Yale University commit)

Haralds Egle - Liepaja, Latvia (University of Vermont commit)

Chase Hatcher - Haddonfield, New Jersey

Matt Iacopelli - Woodhaven, Michigan (Chicago Blackhawks draft pick/Western Michigan University commit)

Mason Jobst - Speedway, Indiana

Cooper Marody - Brighton, Michigan (University of Michigan commit)

Matej Paulovic - Topolcany, Slovakia (Dallas Stars draft pick)

Jack Rowe - Cary, Illinois (University of North Dakota commit)

Defensemen

Joe Cecconi - Youngstown, New York (University of Michigan commit)

Zac Goodrich - White Lake, Michigan

Daniel Willett - Bayville, New York

Christian Wolanin - Rochester, Michigan

Goaltender

Eric Schierhorn - Anchorage, Alaska

The remaining players on the Lumberjacks' initial protected list features three USHL veteran players in Griffen Molino, Tom Marchin, and Ryan Mantha. Molino and Marchin were acquired via trades from Sioux Falls and Lincoln, respectively, in early May, while Mantha was picked up during the Indiana Ice Dispersal Draft in late May. The rest of initial roster is compiled of five affiliate players from last season, five 2014 Phase Two Draft picks, and one 2014 Phase One Draft pick.

Below is the remaining list of players that makes up Muskegon's initial 28-man protected roster:

Forwards

Kevin Dineen - Faribault, Minnesota (Shattuck St. Mary's)

Grant Jozefek - Chester, New Jersey (New Jersey Hitmen and West Morris Mendham High School/Northeastern University commit)

Mike Maiden - Garden City, Michigan (Belle Tire)

Tom Marchin - Algonac, Michigan (Lincoln Stars)

Griffen Molino - Trenton, Michigan (Sioux Falls Stampede/Western Michigan University commit)

Collin Peters - Sheboygan, Wisconsin (Milwaukee Jr. Admirals/Northern Michigan University commit)

Owen Green - Williamsville, New York (Buffalo Jr. Sabres)

Defensemen

Mitch Eliot - Grosse Pointe, Michigan (Honeybaked/Michigan State University commit)

Max Gottlieb - Old Bridge, New Jersey (Bonnyville Pontiacs)

Bo Hanson - Boise, Idaho (Colorado Rampage)

Ryker Killins - Wawa, Ontario (Stratford Cullitons)

Ryan Mantha - Clarkston, Michigan (Indiana Ice/University of North Dakota commit/New York Rangers 2014 4th round (104th overall) draft pick)

David Trinkberger - Landshut, Germany (EV Landshut)

Goaltender

Ryan Larkin - Clarkston, Michigan (Honeybaked/Miami University commit)

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In conjunction, the Lumberjacks comprised a 17-man affiliate list that features a mixture of 2014 Phase One (seven players) and Phase Two (eight players) draft picks along with an affiliate player from last season and a free agent acquisition. Below is the complete affiliate list:

Forwards

Jake Smith - East Amherst, New York (Nichols High School)

Zach Zech - South Lyon, Michigan (Victory Honda)

Ty Pelton-Byce - Madison, Wisconsin (Madison Memorial High School/University of Massachusetts commit)

Garrett Hallford - McKinney, Texas (Honeybaked)

David Keefer - Howell, Michigan (Honeybaked/Michigan State University commit)

Marshall Moise - St. Clair Shores, Michigan (Victory Honda)

Jamie Armstrong - Warwick, Rhode Island (Bishop Hendricken High School and Neponset Valley River Rats)

Collin Adams - Brighton, Michigan (Honeybaked)

Mitchell Chaffee - Rockford, Michigan (Michigan Nationals)

Casey Gilling - Gaylord, Michigan (Soo Indians)

Dante Palecco - Whippany, New Jersey (Long Island Gulls/Yale University commit)

Defensemen

Andrew Barbeau - Sault St. Marie, Michigan (Soo Indians)

Andrew Cordssen-David - Montreal, Quebec (Shattuck St. Mary's)

Zachary Berzolla - Howell, New Jersey (New Jersey Devils Youth National and Freehold Borough High School)

Dylan Dix - Scotts Valley, California (Arizona Bobcats)

Alex Green - Chicago, Illinois (Chicago Mission)

Goaltender

Michael Latorella - Macomb, Michigan (Honeybaked)

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The Lumberjacks have additionally announced two trades in which they have sent the rights of Defenseman Mark Yanis to the Green Bay Gamblers in exchange for a conditional 10th round pick in the 2015 USHL Phase Two Draft. Also, Muskegon has traded the rights of Forward Ryan Lomberg to the Lincoln Stars in exchange for a conditional 11th round pick in the 2015 USHL Phase Two Draft. In addition to the trades, the USNTDP has obtained the rights to Forward Keeghan Howdeshell, who was selected by Muskegon in the 1st round (11th overall) during the 2014 USHL Phase One Draft, and the Lumberjacks have filled his spot on the team's affiliate list with Forward Mitchell Chaffee.

The affiliate and initial protected lists are subject to change as the Lumberjacks are required to have the roster cut down to 25 players by Monday, September 1st before submitting a final 23-man roster to the league office on Tuesday, September 23rd. Muskegon begins their preseason slate in the 2014 USHL Atlantic Challenge on September 5-7th.

Check out the Muskegon Lumberjacks Statistics

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