Fighting Saints Complete Phase I of USHL Draft
USHL Dubuque Fighting Saints

Fighting Saints Complete Phase I of USHL Draft

Published on May 4, 2026 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release


DUBUQUE, IA - The Fighting Saints selected 15 players in the USHL Phase I Draft on Monday.

The Saints' 2026 Phase I Draft Class was led by Nikolai Zhukov in the first round. Zhukov is a 6-2 defenseman out of Proctor, Minnesota. Zhukov kicked off a draft in which the Saints used 5 of their 15 picks on defensemen.

Dubuque's top-forward selected was Malone Cooney, a two-way forward from the Chicago Mission's 15U AAA squad.

Below is a summary of all of Dubuque's Phase I selections:

Round 1, Pick 13

Nikolai Zhukov

Defense, 6-2, 181 lbs, Proctor, MN, August 30, 2010

2025-26 Team: Hermantown High School (MN)

2025-26 Stats: 22 GP, 3G, 4A, 7P

Quote: "Has great tangibles as a right-shot and is extremely mobile. He was really impressive this year in high school and we are extremely excited to get him." - Dan Shrader, Director of Scouting

Round 2, Pick 28

Malone Cooney

Forward, 5-7, 148 lbs, Park Ridge, IL, April 9, 2010

2025-26 Team: Chicago Mission 15U AAA

2025-26 Stats: 41GP, 20G, 16A, 36P

Quote: "He's a Saint. Our prototypical forward with a great 200-ft game. Undersized, but plays with some pop. He's great along the walls and takes pucks hard to the net. We're really excited about the upside, too" - Andrew Weiss, Director of Player Personnel

Round 3, Pick 43

Cameron Coulter

Forward, 5-6, 158 lbs, Moorhead, MN, June 25, 2010

2025-26 Team: PEL North Stars 15's

2025-26 Stats: 15G, 4A, 19P

Quote: "He's a sturdy, skilled, pace-driving forward who just obliterated the Minnesota Bantam ranks. We really like the U16 team he will play for in Northstar Christian. He has big-time upside." - Dan Shrader, Director of Scouting

Round 4, Pick 58

Colin MacCormack

Defense, 5-9, 151 lbs, Philadelphia, PA, February 4, 2010

2025-26 Team: Woodbridge Wolfpack (15U AAA)

2025-26 Stats: 15GP, 4G, 3A, 7P

Quote: "He is a really intelligent two-way defender. I have always been a big fan of his and I'm excited to add him to this year's draft class." - Trevor Edwards, General Manager

Round 5, Pick 73

Porter Matchett

Forward, 6-2, 210 lbs, New York, NY, December 31, 2010

2025-26 Team: Woodbridge Wolfpack (15U AAA)

2025-26 Stats: 14GP, 3G, 3A, 6P

Quote: "He is a huge kid with a huge upside. I just don't think you find a kid with that size in this draft. He is a great kid who plays hard. He's mean, he's tough so we love him." - Doug MacCormack, Scout

Round 6, Pick 88

Mason Stonacek

Defense, 5-9, 164 lbs, Stamford, CT, December 26, 2010

2025-26 Team: Mount St. Charles (15U AAA)

2025-26 Stats: 55GP, 10G, 26A, 36P

Quote: "He is a very offensive defenseman. A really good kid and he comes from a really good family. We're excited to have him. " - Doug MacCormack, Scout

Round 7, Pick 103

Jaxon Hardy

Forward, 5-7, 140 lbs, Proctor, MN, November 22, 2010

2025-26 Team: Proctor High School (MN)

2025-26 Stats: 27GP, 11G, 27A, 38P

Quote: "He is a high-energy forward with lots of skill. He fits the mold of our Fighting Saint forwards that we've seen in the past who play a lot bigger than their size." - Trevor Edwards, General Manager

Round 8, Pick 118

Patrick Taylor

Forward, 5-7, 134 lbs, Lake Forest, IL, November 22, 2010

2025-26 Team: Windy City Storm (15U AAA)

2025-26 Stats: 53GP, 40G, 64A, 104P

Quote: "He has super high-end skill, plays a good pace and has been a high-end kid for the last four years. I think with a potential growth spurt, he can be even more high-end. We're really excited." - Andrew Weiss, Director of Player Personnel

Round 9, Pick 133

Brodie Anderson

Defense, 5-9, 154 lbs, Wayland, MA, May 7, 2010

2025-26 Team: Cushing Academy Prep

2025-26 Stats: 28GP, 3G, 9A, 12P

Quote: "Brodie is an excellent kid. He has a high hockey IQ and we expect him to be a heck of a hockey player in the USHL." - Doug MacCormack, Scout

Round 10, Pick 148

Matthew Sarno

Defense, 5-10, 134 lbs, Eden Prairie, MN, September 26, 2010

2025-26 Team: MN Lakers 15U AAA

2025-26 Stats: 19GP, 1G, 3A, 4P

Quote: "Matthew is an extremely athletic and elegant skater. We're extremely excited about the offensive upside that he presents. He will be in a great developmental environment at Eden Prairie High School and we look forward to working with him." - Dan Shrader, Director of Scouting

Round 11, Pick 162

Ethan Machado

Forward, 5-8, 165 lbs, Wayland, MA, September 7, 2010

2025-26 Team: Cushing Academy Prep

2025-26 Stats: 30GP, 2G, 4A, 6P

Quote: "We love his speed and compete. I have known him for a long time. He works extremely hard. He's a great kid on and off the ice and we expect big things." - Doug MacCormack, Scout

Round 12, Pick 176

Miras Zhumabay

Forward, 6-0, 154 lbs, Astana, KAZ, June 10, 2010

2025-26 Team: Pittsburgh Penguins Elite (15U AAA)

2025-26 Stats: 54GP, 22G, 36A, 58P

Quote: "He is a really smart two-way center. I have a lot of experience with him in Pittsburgh. I think he has a really high upside." - Trevor Edwards, General Manager

Round 13, Pick 189

Alec Walker

Forward, 6-5, 181 lbs, Lithia, FL, April 8, 2010

2025-26 Team: Florida Alliance (15s AAA)

2025-26 Stats: 51GP, 33G, 31A, 64P

Quote: "We see Alec as a high-end prospect with NHL Draft pick potential. Hoping to have the chance to develop him. Great young man from a great family and we hope to work with him in the future." - Doug MacCormack, Scout

Round 14, Pick 201

George Majic

Forward, 5-6, 135 lbs, Toronto, ON, November 23, 2010

2025-26 Team: Upper Canada College (U16 AAA)

2025-26 Stats: 59GP, 13G, 30A, 43P

Quote: "He is a really smart, crafty player who makes the other players better. Lots of room for development and growth." - Trevor Edwards, General Manager

Round 15, Pick 211

Cael Sloan

Forward, 5-2, Wayzata, MN, December 23, 2010

2025-26 Team: Wayzata Bantam

2025-26 Stats: 52GP, 29G, 35A, 64P

Quote: "He is a dynamic skater and we are really excited to work with him." - Dan Shrader, Director of Scouting

The Fighting Saints will complete the 2026 USHL Draft Process on Tuesday with the Phase II Draft beginning at 11 a.m. CT.

Check out the Dubuque Fighting Saints Statistics

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