Fargo Force Select Riley Tufte First Overall in Phase 1 of 2014 USHL Draft
Published on May 5, 2014 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Fargo Force News Release
FARGO, ND - The Fargo Force selected forward Riley Tufte, first overall in Phase 1 of the 2014 USHL Draft on Monday night. Through eight rounds, the coaching staff drafted a total of eight players, five forwards, two defensemen and one goaltender.
Tufte, from Ham Lake, MN, just completed his sophomore season at Blaine HS where he finished fifth overall on the team in scoring, posting 35 points (17g, 18a) in 25 games. He tallied two assists in three games throughout the post season. He is considered to be one of the top power forwards in his age class. Earlier this year, the 6'4, 190 lb. forward verbally committed to the University of Minnesota-Duluth to play for the Bulldogs following his junior hockey career.
Each year, the drafts are held in which every USHL team participates in several rounds to select players for the 2014-15 season and beyond. For Phase 1 of the USHL Draft, only players who were born in 1998 are eligible to be drafted. This single-age portion of the USHL Draft allows teams to choose players who are traditionally not ready to play in the USHL the following season, but will continue to develop at lower levels of hockey in preparation for USHL play in future seasons. The Club retains the draftee's rights for three years and can add the player to its active roster at any point during the season.
The Fargo Force selected the following players (in order of when selected):
Name Position Hometown Previous Team
Round 1 (1 overall pick)
Riley Tufte Forward Ham Lake, MN Blaine HS
*Committed to University of Minnesota-Duluth
Round 2 (17 overall pick)
Cole Gallant Forward Dover, FL Detroit Honey Baked
Round 3 (37 overall pick)
*Pick acquired from the Waterloo Black Hawks via trade
Ryan Bederka Defense Brighton, MI Detroit Honey Baked
*Committed to Michigan State University
Round 4 (48 overall pick)
Max Gerlach Forward Flower Mound, TX Colorado Thunderbirds
Round 5 (64 overall pick)
David Melaragni Defense Philadelphia, PA Team Comcast
*Commited to Northeastern University
Round 6 (80 overall pick)
Luke Cowan Forward Hartland, MI Detroit Honey Baked
Round 7 (96 overall pick)
Ben Meyers Forward Delano, MN Delano HS
Round 8 (112 overall pick)
Jack Lafontaine Goalie Mississauga, Ont. Don Mills
Phase 2 of the USHL Draft is set for Tuesday, May 6 at 8 AM. In this phase, USHL teams will select players from multiple birth years as they look to fill their protected lists with players who will compete for roster spots for the 2014-15 season. Phase 2 continues until all USHL teams have secured 45 players on their Initial Protected List. That list includes affiliate players from the 2013-14 season, players selected in Phase 1, and players signed to a tender.
United States Hockey League Stories from May 5, 2014
- Capitols Welcome New Players Via Draft & Trade - Madison Capitols
- Stampede Select 8 Players in Phase I of USHL Draft - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Tri-City Looks to Future, Drafts 9 in Phase 1 - Tri-City Storm
- Lumberjacks Begin 2014 USHL Draft Stockpiling for Future - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Saints Select Six in Phase 1 of 2014 USHL Draft - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Fargo Force Select Riley Tufte First Overall in Phase 1 of 2014 USHL Draft - Fargo Force
- Thunder Unveil New Logo - Bloomington Thunder
- Capitols Acquire Sarault from Omaha - Madison Capitols
- Clark Cup Finals Pits Ice against Black Hawks - Indiana Ice
- Phantoms Acquire Goaltender Chris Birdsall from Cedar Rapids - Youngstown Phantoms
- Jackson Earns USHL Rookie of the Year Honor - Chicago Steel
- Lumberjacks Make Trio of Moves Prior to USHL Draft - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Read Selected for Canadian National Team - Des Moines Buccaneers
- Robby Jackson Named 2013-14 USHL Rookie of the Year - USHL
- Force Tender Forward Zach Yon - Fargo Force
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