Jackals Take Five In Amateur Draft
Published on March 23, 2005 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Elmira Jackals News Release
Elmira, NY - The Elmira Jackals announced the following selections from Tuesday's UHL North American Amateur Draft: Gary Bowman, a forward from SUNY Oswego; Mac Faulkner, a forward from Clarkson University; Dale Lupul, a defenseman from the University of Wisconsin-Superior; Jay Latulippe, a forward from Clarkson University; and Steve Silverthorn, a goaltender from Colgate University.
Gary Bowman, a 6'2", 200 lbs forward from Evansville, Wyoming was the Jackals first pick, taken in the second round. A senior at SUNY Oswego, he had 17 points (7goals, 10 assists) in 23 games this year as he helped the Lakers to a 18-4-3 record before Oswego bowed out to Plattsburgh in the SUNYAC semifinals. "Gary is a heart and soul type player," said Jackals General Manager Todd Brost. "He is a big, solid, gritty winger and there is a real chance that he will join our team soon, which was the main reason in selecting him first."
Third round pick Mac Faulkner, a 6'1", 205 lbs senior forward from King City, Ontario, ranked fourth on Clarkson in scoring with 19 points (11 goals, 8 assists) in 39 games. The captain of this season's Golden Knights, Faulkner was second on the team with five power play goals and he also had 62 minutes of penalties this season. Brost said, "Mac is a lot like Carl Drakensjo; a centerman that is good in the corners, hardworking, willing to take hits and digs the puck out." In 141 games in his Clarkson career he had 83 points (33 goals, 50 assists).
Dale Lupul, a 6'2", 210 lbs senior defenseman from Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, was the Jackals 4th round selection. He had 29 points (3 goals, 26 assists) over 27 games, which ranks fifth on the Yellow Jackets. "Dale is a very gritty defenseman," said Brost. "He plays with a big, physical presence and has ties with current players." Lupul was junior hockey teammates with defenseman Chris Shaw on the Burnaby Bulldogs of the BCHL.
In the 5th round the Jackals took Clarkson forward Jay Latulippe. The 5'10" 170 lbs Saratoga, New York native led the team in scoring with 36 points (16 goals, 20 assists) in 39 games this year. One of the assistant captains, he also led the Golden Knights in power play goals with 10. "Jay has really impressive numbers," said Brost. "He is a proven scorer, a smaller guy, but has a lot of speed and very good hands. We have had an excellent relationship with the school. Clarkson players like Drak, Don Smith and Rob McFeeters all contributed in a Jackals uniform." In his career at Clarkson, Latulippe scored 103 points (45 goals, 58 assists) in 146 games played.
Colgate goaltender Steve Silverthorn was selected by Elmira in the 6th round. At 6'2" 180 lbs. Silverthorn went 24-9-3 this year with a 1.77 GAA, a 0.925 save percentage and 5 shutouts. He helped the Raiders to a third place finish in the ECAC tournament last weekend (beating Vermont 2-1) and an NCAA tournament berth. "Steve is a big goaltender who takes up a lot of the net," said Brost. "He has good angles, a quick glove and is very proficient in playing the puck. Colgate's season is still going, they are the #4 seed in the Mid West Region set to face off with #1 seed Colorado College on Friday, March 25th at 5:00 pm at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Steve's older brother Jason played 4-years at Elmira College from 1999-2003 and played 9 games for the UHL's Motor City Mechanics earlier this season.
All of the amateurs in consideration of the draft were playing for colleges, universities and junior leagues. Stipulations for eligibility were that the players have to be 19 or above, have played in North American during the 2004-05 season and have played no UHL regular season games in their career. A majority of players taken came from NCAA Division I and III schools and the Canadian Hockey League (WHL, OHL, QMJHL). In the 6-round, 84-player draft, the Jackals did not have a first round pick, which was used to acquire Jason Sessa from Quad City in the off season.
NOTES: UHL teams are allowed to put four of their draftees on the playoff roster - in addition to the 20-man roster - without those players having to fulfill the 6-game minimum requirement. Out of the four, two players selected in the draft can be activated. Flint took the most players (nine) in the draft, while Quad City took eight and Muskegon and Kalamazoo had seven. Rockford, Missouri, Danbury and Adirondack had the standard six picks. Elmira, Fort Wayne, Motor City, and Port Huron each took five and Richmond selected the fewest with four. In a bizarre move Kansas City passed on their first round pick, then took players in the last five rounds. The draft order was based on the reverse order of the current UHL overall standings. Thus Elmira had the first pick, while Muskegon picked last.
Next up for Elmira is a Friday match up with the Danbury Trashers, a 7:30 pm face off at the First Arena. The Jackals also play at home on Sunday March 27th as they host the Motor City Mechanics at 5:00 pm.
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