Buccaneers make Okposo number one pick
Published on May 12, 2005 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Des Moines Buccaneers News Release
With the #1 overall pick in the USHL draft today, the Des Moines Buccaneers selected Shattuck-St. Mary's Prep team star Kyle Okposo.
A 4/16/88 birth date, Okposo is considered by many to be one of the premier players in the country for his age group. A powerful skater with natural competitive instincts, Okposo displays excellent hockey sense to go along with his skill and lethal shot. His ability to use his skating and skill in a high-tempo style game made him one of the most sought after players in the country. The Buccaneers will look to rely heavily on this with the departure of some key players from last season's team.
"We are very excited that we drafted Kyle with the number one pick. He's a proven winner and a natural leader, and was certainly the best player available," Buccaneers Head Coach Regg Simon said. "With the loss of Chad Rau (Colorado College), we'll need to replace some of our goal scoring ability at forward. I feel we've filled that void with Kyle."
Coach Simon also added, "With a good group of returning players, we were looking to add specific pieces of the puzzle to the make-up of our team. Kyle was the natural choice because he already plays our style of hockey."
Okposo helped guide his Shattuck-St. Mary's Prep team to the Midget Major AAA National Championship this past season. He is also verbally committed to the University of Minnesota and will be headed to the Gophers in the fall of 2006.
United States Hockey League Stories from May 12, 2005
- Storm's draft list includes 13 names - Tri-City Storm
- Kaunisto First of 12 Forwards Drafted by Riders - Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
- Size and skill highlights Ice's 2005 draft - Indiana Ice
- What a great season - Sioux City Musketeers
- Two goaltenders headline Storm draft picks - Tri-City Storm
- Stampede take Kangas with first round pick - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Buccaneers make Okposo number one pick - Des Moines Buccaneers
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