USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks

Four Lumberjacks Chosen for Top Prospects Game

Published on January 5, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


MUSKEGON, Mich. (January 5, 2012) - The Muskegon Lumberjacks are proud to host the inaugural USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game presented by CCM, and four of their own players will take the ice along with the rest of the league's best.

Jordan Masters, Mark Yanis, Matt DeBlouw and Adam Chlapik will all represent the Lumberjacks franchise Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 7:15 p.m., as the USHL's top NHL draft-eligible players will share the L.C. Walker Arena ice sheet in the league's premier showcase.

"Ultimately we're about developing high end players and getting them to the NHL, with college as a stepping stone," Lumberjacks Head Coach/GM Kevin Patrick said. "We're very excited to have four young men that wear our jersey recognized in this way."

Fourteen USHL teams will send at least one player to Muskegon, but only the Waterloo Black Hawks, with five representatives, will have more prospects than the Jacks at this influential event. The selection process for the players was completed in cooperation with USHL General Managers, NHL scouts and decision makers, and NHL Central Scouting.

"Seeing this many of our players chosen tells me that we as an organization are doing a great job developing players toward their NHL careers," said Lumberjacks Owner/CEO Josh Mervis. The four Lumberjacks chosen to participate were all ranked on NHL Central Scouting's "Players to Watch List" last fall.

Masters, a native of Rochester, N.Y., is in his second year with the Lumberjacks. A hard-charging winger, the 5-foot-10 Masters had 11 points (four goals) last season and has nearly matched that total this winter already; he has accumulated 10 points in just over a third of the season. He has committed to play for the University of New Hampshire in the competitive Hockey East conference.

Yanis, a 6-foot-3 defenseman from Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich., is also one point shy of surpassing last season's offensive production, but much of his value lies in his physical play. The Penn State recruit has accumulated 200 penalty minutes in 75 USHL games, and he is durable despite his rugged nature; like Masters, Yanis has only missed one contest this season.

Michigan native DeBlouw has quickly risen up draft lists in recent months, largely on the strength of his skating ability. The fleet-footed forward from Chesterfield bounced back from serious injury last year to lead Muskegon in playoff scoring and has emerged as a top-line stalwart for coach Patrick this season, contributing 10 points thus far in 20 games played. He will attend Michigan State University.

Chlapik, a 6-foot forward whom the Lumberjacks plucked from the Tri-City Storm in a November trade, has been highly regarded by NHL scouts since coming over from his native Czech Republic three years ago. Now in his second USHL season, the gifted Chlapik was ranked as the seventh-best prospect in the league by the Red Line Report this summer.

"We're proud to be able to provide such a great night and stage for some of our young stars," said USHL President and Commissioner Skip Prince. "It's also a credit not just to the players, but the education-based American development model we celebrate in the USHL - that is, that you can remain NCAA-eligible, play Division I college hockey, and fulfill the dream of playing in the National Hockey League."

Other notable players selected for the game include forward Zemgus Girgensons of the Dubuque Fighting Saints and defenseman Jordan Schmaltz of the Green Bay Gamblers, both projected as potential first-round selections in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. The USHL's top-rated goaltender, Jon Gillies of the Indiana Ice, has been selected to compete as well as top defense prospects Mike Matheson of the Dubuque Fighting Saints and Brian Cooper of the Fargo Force. The current leading scorer in the USHL, Kevin Roy of the Lincoln Stars, has also been named to the roster.

"The Top Prospect Game is a positive addition by the USHL as it presents a unique and valuable opportunity for NHL scouts to view these elite USHL players as they showcase their abilities," said Dan Marr, Director of NHL Central Scouting.

All but five of the 40 players selected currently have commitments to play collegiate hockey following their USHL careers. The two 20-player teams for the 2012 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game will be announced at a later date.

Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased by contacting the Muskegon Lumberjacks at (231) 724-JACK or by visiting www.StarTickets.com. The Shoreline Inn will serve as official host hotel of the USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

Last June, a total of 28 USHL players were selected in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft - the most USHL players selected by the NHL teams in one year. In addition, nine USHL alumni were chosen in that 2011 Draft.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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