Geneva Native Lillibridge Acquired by Steel
May 2, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
GENEVA, ILLINOIS - The Chicago Steel announced Monday the acquisition of Geneva native Graham Lillibridge from the Muskegon Lumberjacks. The Steel receive the 17-year-old defenseman Lillibridge along with Muskegon's 6th round selection in tonight's USHL Phase I Draft in exchange for affiliate defenseman Colby Bukes and Chicago's USHL Phase II Draft 4th round pick. Lillibridge, a 5-foot-9, 150-pound defenseman, was tendered by the Lumberjacks in 2015. In 2015-2016, his rookie season, Lillibridge scored one goal and adding 11 assists in 47 games. Lillibridge previously played youth hockey for the Chicago Mission and now returns to his hometown of Geneva, Ill., to compete for the Steel. He is committed to Yale University.
"We are very excited that Graham will be joining our organization," said Steel Head Coach Dan Muse. "He is a player that has great vision and puck moving ability. We are thrilled that a high character player like him can be coming home to play for the Steel."
Prior to coaching the Steel, Muse was Associate Head Coach at Yale University and recruited Lillibridge to play for Division I hockey for the Bulldogs. Lillibridge announced his commitment to Yale on Jan. 29, 2015. He will return to Geneva High School as a senior in 2016-2017 while competing for the Steel at Fox Valley Ice Arena, where Lillibridge played his first four years of youth hockey.
"For me and my family, it's all positives," said Lillibridge. "I get to live at home, go back to my old high school and play in my hometown. Obviously, I'm very comfortable with Coach Muse and look forward to playing for him as a guy on the back end that can move and possess the puck."
Lillibridge knows that his friends and family are just as excited about this trade as he is. "It means a lot. My parents and extended family can be at every single game, and it is cool that I get to come home and show my friends what this league is all about and the path that I have taken. I have a lot of confidence coming into my second season and have high expectations for myself to be a dominant defenseman."
The 2016 Phase I Draft takes place tonight, Monday, May 2, at 6:00 p.m. CDT. Phase I of the 2016 USHL Draft consists of 10 rounds as USHL teams select players from the 2000 birth year. Phase I picks will be announced on a live USHL Draft Show on USHL.com. In addition to the official announcement of Phase I selections, the USHL Draft Show will have exclusive interviews with players, USHL coaches and more. The USHL Phase II Draft begins Tuesday, May 3 at 8:00 a.m. CDT. Phase II consists of players between the 1996 and 2000 birth years. Fans are encouraged to follow @ChicagoSteel on Twitter for live draft pick announcements and exclusive content. To tweet in the league-wide Draft conversation, use #USHLDraft.
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United States Hockey League Stories from May 2, 2016
- Steel Select 12 Players in 2016 USHL Phase I Draft - Chicago Steel
- Buccaneers Make Nine Selections in Phase I of USHL Draft - Des Moines Buccaneers
- Stampede Select 10 Players in USHL Phase I Draft - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Capitols Pick 11 Players in Phase I of 2016 USHL Draft - Madison Capitols
- Fighting Saints Draft Eight in Phase I, Complete Deal - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Lumberjacks Select Eight Players in USHL Phase One Draft - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Storm Completes Phase I Draft, Foskey Highlights Selections - Tri-City Storm
- Hawks Call Ten Names During Draft - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Storm Selects D Jace Foskey with First Pick in Phase I Draft - Tri-City Storm
- Stampede Select Gavin Hain with #1 Overall Pick in USHL Phase I Draft - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Thunder Bring in Top Prospect from Omaha - Bloomington Thunder
- Geneva Native Lillibridge Acquired by Steel - Chicago Steel
- Steel Announce Acquisition of Walsh and Badini Prior to USHL Draft - Chicago Steel
- USHL Phase I Draft Is Monday, May 2nd - Des Moines Buccaneers
- Capitols Pick Fourth Overall in 2016 USHL Draft - Madison Capitols
- Stampede Hold #1 Overall Pick in USHL Phase I Draft Tonight - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Black Friday, Playoff Edition - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Hawks Announce Draft Day Deal - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Lumberjacks Welcome Colby Bukes - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Lumberjacks Acquire Matt Steeves - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Tri-City Storm Acquires Fourth-Round Pick in 2016 USHL Draft - Tri-City Storm
- USHL Draft Starts Tonight - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Kielly's Postseason Shutout Record and USHL Draft Highlight Stories of the Week - Tri-City Storm
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