Hawks Defensemen Are Worth Watching
April 12, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release
Waterloo, Iowa - NHL Central Scouting released a final ranking of 2016 NHL Draft prospects Tuesday, including two current and one former Waterloo Black Hawks defensemen.
Jake Ryczek claimed the 114th slot on the list of 210 North American skaters, followed by Hawks alumnus Ethan Spaxman at 127th and Sam Rossini at 195th.
Ryczek was acquired from the Sioux City Musketeers in February. While in western Iowa, he had been slotted 116th in the Central Scouting January Midterm Rankings. During just 18 games following the trade which brought Ryczek to Waterloo, he outdistanced his Musketeers statistics, recording four goals and 16 assists for 20 points. Ryczek is committed to Providence College.
Spaxman wrapped up his freshman season at Merrimack College last month. He took the ice in 34 of the Warriors' 39 games, recording two goals and two assists. During the 2014/15 season, Spaxman joined Waterloo in November, ultimately playing in 43 contests with two goals and 14 assists.
Rossini just wrapped up his second regular season with the Black Hawks, playing his best hockey late in the schedule. The University of Minnesota recruit had an even or positive plus/minus differential in 13 of his final 14 appearances. Rossini recorded two goals and six assists in 46 2015/16 contests, and over his two seasons in Waterloo, he has 13 points in 90 games.
Players with ties to the Black Hawks have been selected in each of the last 13 NHL Drafts. In that time, 36 past, current, or future Waterloo players have been picked by National Hockey League clubs.
The 2016 NHL Draft will be conducted in Buffalo on June 24th and 25th.
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