Ice Players on NHL Watch List
April 9, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Indiana Ice News Release
INDIANAPOLIS-The Indiana Ice announced today that defensemen Joshua Jacobs and Ryan Mantha have been named to the 2014 NHL Central Scouting Final Draft Rankings for the upcoming 2014 NHL Draft.
Jacobs was listed as the 43rd ranked North American skater while Mantha entered the list at 149th. 38 active members of the USHL were named in the annual release, as well as five Indy alumni and affiliate players.
In his second season with Indy, Jacobs has emerged as one of the elite defensemen in the USHL. He helps anchor an Ice defensive unit that led the league in shots against per game (25.10) and tied for first in goals against (2.35). Through 104 USHL games in two seasons, the Michigan State commit has 38 points (7G, 31A) while finishing the 2013-14 campaign second among league blueliners with a +36 plus minus rating.
Mantha, a University of North Dakota commit, brought additional size to Indy's blueline after being acquired in a trade with the Sioux City Musketeers. The 6-5, 225 pound Mantha has since added nine points (2G, 7A) in 24 games with a +11 plus-minus rating in the stretch. In 105 USHL games, the Clarkston, MI-native has 22 points (4G, 18A) and a +26 plus-minus rating.
In addition to Jacobs and Mantha, several players with Ice ties were listed in the annual scouting report. Blake Siebenaler (12-13) and Rinat Valiev (12-13) both previously spent time in Indy while Mitch Slattery (Hill Murray-MN) played one game for the Ice this year and is currently on their affiliate list.
The 2014 NHL Draft will take place June 27-28 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. Current Icemen Aidan Muir (Edmonton Oilers) and Brian Pinho (Washington Capitals) were selected in the 2013 NHL Draft from the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.
Jacobs, Mantha and the Indiana Ice look to continue their hot streak as the team hosts the Green Bay Gamblers in games one and two of the Eastern Conference semifinals from Pan Am Pavilion on Friday (4/11) and Saturday (4/12) at 7:05 pm.
Tickets for the Clark Cup playoffs, presented by Ivy Tech, remain the same at $15 for reserved seating and $10 for standing room only and can be purchased on Ticketmaster or through the Indiana Ice office at (317) 925-4423.
United States Hockey League Stories from April 9, 2014
- USHL Update - Regular Season Wrap-Up - USHL
- Ice Players on NHL Watch List - Indiana Ice
- Williams Named First Head Coach of Bloomington USHL Team - Bloomington Thunder
- Lancers Sign Forward Crone to USHL Tender - Omaha Lancers
- Storm Represented Well at Frozen Four - Tri-City Storm
- Dennis Williams Named First Head Coach of Expansion USHL Bloomington Franchise - Bloomington Thunder
- Canaries & Stampede Take Home Gold ADDY Awards - Sioux Falls Stampede
- USHL Formally Approves Expansion to Bloomington, Illinois - USHL
- Kyle Connor Excited to Represent USA at IIHF World U18 Championships - Youngstown Phantoms
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