Storm Solidifies Net and Adds Offense in Phase II Draft
May 2, 2017 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Tri-City Storm News Release
Kearney, Neb. - The Tri-City Storm selected a goaltender in the first round for the first time in 13 years and filled out its 45-man roster with 19 picks in Tuesday's 2017 USHL Phase II Draft. After snagging forward Tyler Ward seventh overall, the Storm selected Swedish-born netminder Filip Larsson with no. 8 pick. The last time the Storm picked a goaltender in the first round was 2004, when Tri-City drafted Zane Kalemba.
The Detroit Red Wings selected Larsson in the 6th round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Tri-City selected three players from Sweden and five international players in the first five rounds.
The Storm also drafted Janesville Jets (NAHL) goaltender Jake Barczewski in the 3rd round, 34th overall. Barczewski went 27-6-0-1 this season and was 3rd in the league in goals against average (1.94) and second in save percentage (.929).
The 7th-overall pick Ward scored nine goals and 16 points in 11 BCHL Playoff games with the Merritt Centennials. Storm Head Coach Bill Muckalt played for Merritt from 1991-94. Ward is committed to Denver.
Tri-City drafted 11 forwards, six defensemen and two goalies.
The Storm picked four forwards in the first four rounds, including Brown University commit Michael Maloney at no. 18 and Lake Superior State commit Jake Crespi at no. 32. In the fourth round, Tri-City drafted Filip Forsmark from Sweden.
To help the defensive corps, the Storm selected two in a three-pick span. At no. 62, the Storm selected Canadian Daniel Hilsendager and Swedish-born Hugo Blixt.
Tri-City looked for youth in the seventh, eighth and ninth rounds, selecting 17-year-old Ben Almquist and 16-year-olds Grayson Valente and Jami Krannila.
On May 4 at 7 p.m., the Storm will hold a 2017 Draft Party at the Viaero Center open to season ticket holders. Tri-City will raffle off three big prizes: a vacation (hotel and plane tickets) to Las Vegas, a trip (hotel and game tickets) to the College World Series and tickets to a Kansas City Royals game. Tri-City will also raffle Storm prize packs and have free food and drinks served.
Call 308-338-8144 or visit the Viaero Center Box Office to register for 2017-18 Storm season tickets.
1st round, 7th overall: F Tyler Ward
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 170 lbs.
Birthdate: August 19, 1999 (17 years old)
Hometown: Kamloops, British Columbia
Last Team: Merritt Centennials
Ward Stats
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1st round, 8th overall: G Filip Larsson
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 185 lbs.
Birthdate: August 17, 1998 (18 years old)
Hometown: Stockholm, Sweden
Last Team: Djurgardens IF 20
Larsson Stats
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2nd round, 18th overall: F Michael Maloney
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 185 lbs.
Birthdate: February 17, 1998 (19 years old)
Hometown: Grand Forks, North Dakota
Last Team: Janesville Jets
Maloney Stats
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2nd round, 32nd overall: F Jake Crespi
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 190 lbs.
Birthdate: December 9, 1998 (18 years old)
Hometown: Milford, Michigan
Last Team: Brighton High School
Crespi Stats
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3rd round, 34th overall: G Jake Barczewski
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 180 lbs.
Birthdate: January 6, 1999 (18 years old)
Hometown: O'Fallon, Missouri
Last Team: Janesville Jets
Barczewski Stats
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4th round, 50th overall: F Filip Forsmark
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 154 lbs.
Birthdate: June 23, 1998 (18 years old)
Hometown: Skovde, Sweden
Last Team: Orebro JK J20
Forsmark Stats
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4th round, 62nd overall: D Daniel Hilsendager
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 173 lbs.
Birthdate: March 30, 2000 (17 years old)
Hometown: Lloydminster, Alberta
Last Team: Lloydminster Bobcats
Hilsendager Stats
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4th round, 64th overall: D Hugo Blixt
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 167 lbs.
Birthdate: January 2, 1998 (19 years old)
Hometown: Sweden
Last Team: Vasteras VIK HK
Blixt Stats
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6th round, 84th overall: F Kieran Durgan
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 190 lbs.
Birthdate: August 20, 1997 (19 years old)
Hometown: Laingsburg, Michigan
Last Team: Shreveport Mudbugs
Durgan Stats
7th round, 101st overall: D Grayson Valente
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 145 lbs.
Birthdate: September 11, 2000 (16 years old)
Hometown: Vancouver, British Columbia
Last Team: Greater Vancouver Canadians
Valente Stats
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8th round, 117th overall: F Ben Almquist
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 170 lbs.
Birthdate: October 1, 1999 (17 years old)
Hometown: Victoria, Minnesota
Last Team: Holy Family Catholic
Almquist Stats
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9th round, 133rd overall: F Jami Krannila
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 141 lbs.
Birthdate: October 3, 2000 (16 years old)
Hometown: Finland
Last Team: Tappara U18
Krannila Stats
10th round, 149th overall: D Sam Rossini
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 197 lbs.
Birthdate: June 19, 1998 (18 years old)
Hometown: Inner Grove Heights, MN
Last Team: Penticton Vees
Rossini Stats
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11th round, 165th overall: F Keaton Mastrodonato
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 171 lbs.
Birthdate: September 24, 2000 (16 years old)
Hometown: Powell River, British Columbia
Last Team: North Island Silvertips
Mastrodonato Stats
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12th round, 181st overall: F Ilya Badanin
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 157 lbs.
Birthdate: March 21, 2000 (17 years old)
Hometown: Moscow, Russia
Last Team: Dynamo Moskva
Badanin Stats
13th round, 197th overall: F Roman Badanin
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 152 lbs.
Birthdate: March 21, 2000 (17 years old)
Hometown: Moscow, Russia
Last Team: Dynamo Moskva
Badinin Stats
14th round, 213th overall: F Billy Feczko
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 155 lbs.
Birthdate: August 28, 2001 (15 years old)
Hometown: Birmingham, Michigan
Last Team: Detroit Little Caesar's
Feczko Stats
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15th round, 229th overall: D Logan Martinson
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 161 lbs.
Birthdate: September 12, 2000 (16 years old)
Hometown: Allen, Texas
Last Team: Dallas Stars Elite
Martinson Stats
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16th round, 245th overall: D Oksari Oksanen
Height: 5'5"
Weight: 126 lbs.
Birthdate: January 30, 2001 (16 years old)
Hometown: Finland
Last Team: TPS U16
Oskanen Stats
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