Des Moines Buccaneers Sign Isaac Novak and Patrick Schmiedlin to Tenders
Published on May 7, 2018 under United States Hockey League (USHL) News Release
The Des Moines Buccaneers announced they signed forwards Isaac Novak and Patrick Schmiedlin on Saturday to tender agreements for the 2018-19 season. Novak is from Waukesha, WI and is committed to the University of Wisconsin. Schmiedlin is a native of Culver, IN. The pair of forwards are the first two players in the history of the Buccaneers organization to sign tender agreements.
"The Buccaneers couldn't be more excited," said Des Moines general manager Tom Mannino. "It's a great day for these special players, their families and the Buccaneers' community. We have added two players that bring a combo punch of elite skating, playmaking ability and compete to our lineup."
Now in its seventh year, the USHL tender process allows teams to sign up to two 2002 birth year players prior to the 2018 USHL Phase I Draft, which takes place on May 7.
Novak operated at almost a point-per-game clip for Little Caesars U-18 team in Detroit. He accrued 22 goals and 18 assists for 40 points in 41 games played. The 16-year-old has always dreamed of furthering his career in the USHL.
"Growing up I always wanted to play in the USHL," Novak said. "I am just so excited for the opportunity and can't wait to become a Buc!"
"Novak has elite puck skills," Mannino said. "He demonstrates great speed and elusiveness and he played up in his age class against older competition last year."
Just as Novak comes from a prestigious AAA program in Detroit Little Caesars, so too does Schmiedlin come from a renowned hockey program in Culver Military Academy.
Schmiedlin tallied 24 points in 38 games as a 15-year-old playing on the number top ranked Culver Prep team. He is set to make his first big move away from home and can't wait to get his USHL career started.
"Des Moines is one of the most storied organizations in the USHL," Schmiedlin said. "I can't wait to get things started and am proud and thrilled to be a Buc!"
"Patrick is hands down one of the fastest skaters in North America," Mannino said. "He too played above his age group this past season."
The signing of Novak and Schmiedlin will replace Des Moines' first and second round draft choices, respectively, in the 2018 USHL Phase I Draft. Each tendered player will be on their respective team's roster the next season and play at least 55% of the team's regular season games.
Novak and Schmiedlin become the ninth and 10th players signed to a tender for the 2018-19 season, joining Ruben Rafkin (Tri-City Storm), Chase Bradley (Omaha Lancers), Colby Ambrosio (Tri-City Storm), Alex Gaffney (Muskegon Lumberjacks), Ben Schoen (Youngstown Phantoms) and Wyatt Schingoethe (Waterloo Black Hawks), Andrei Bakanov (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders) and Anthony Kehrer (Sioux City Musketeers).
United States Hockey League Stories from May 7, 2018
- Stampede Select 10 Players During USHL Phase I Draft - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Stars Select 11 Players in 2018 USHL Phase I Draft - Lincoln Stars
- Lancers Select 10 Players in USHL Phase 1 Draft - Omaha Lancers
- Jacks Select Nine Skaters, Complete Phase I Draft - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Fighting Saints Complete 2018 Phase I Draft - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Defensemen Dazzle Hawks Draft Class - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Force Select Seven Players in USHL Phase 1 Draft - Fargo Force
- Lancers Make Transactions Ahead of USHL Draft - Omaha Lancers
- Force Add 3 Players in Separate Transactions Ahead of USHL Draft - Fargo Force
- Omaha Lancers Sign Cameron Berg to Tender - USHL
- Lancers Tender Cameron Berg Ahead of USHL Draft - Omaha Lancers
- Stars Announce Trades Prior to 2018 USHL Draft - Lincoln Stars
- Des Moines Buccaneers Sign Isaac Novak and Patrick Schmiedlin to Tenders - USHL
- Bucs Sign Isaac Novak and Patrick Schmiedlin to USHL Tenders Ahead of Draft - Des Moines Buccaneers
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