Lancers Pick Six in 2014 USHL Phase I Draft
May 6, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
RALSTON, NE - On day one of the 2014 USHL Draft, the Omaha Lancers selected six players Monday in the Phase I portion of this year's league-wide entry selections. Formerly referred to as the "futures" draft, in 2014, Phase I selections are limited exclusively to 1998 birth year players. Without their first round pick due to a February trade with the Muskegon Lumberjacks for Nebraska-Omaha recruits Steven Spinner and Luc Snuggerud, nor their second-round choice, neutralized by the team's tender of Dallas Stars Elite U16 forward and Boston University commit Hank Crone in April, the Lancers claimed four forwards and a pair of defensemen on Monday.
The Lancers' third round selection, the 46th player picked overall, was right-handed shooting defenseman Callan Foote, a Denver, Colorado native. In 33 games played for the Colorado Thunderbirds Minor program last season, the 5'11", 161 lb. blueliner tallied two goals and 14 total points. "We're very excited to welcome Cal to the Lancer family," said Lancers Head Coach and General Manager Brian Kaufman on Monday. "He's a big, strong defenseman that has a chance to be an elite player in his draft class."
With their fourth round pick, Omaha tabbed Shattuck St. Mary's U16 forward Ben Lown 62nd overall. A Laguna Niguel, California native, the 5'7", 160 lb., left-handed centerman tallied 26 goals and 74 points in 2013-14 in 67 games played. "Ben is a dynamic playmaker," explained Kaufman Monday. "He's got a great motor and compete level and we're thrilled to have him on board."
With the 78th overall pick, the Lancers spent their fourth round selection on 5'10", 161 lb. Swedish forward William Fallstrom. A right-handed shooter, Fallstrom scored at a point-per-game pace in 33 contests last season for the Djurgardens IF Jr. 18 squad in Sweden. In the sixth round, Omaha grabbed Maple Grove (MN) High School forward Samuel Huff 94th overall. A right-handed shooting, 5'11", 170 lb. winger, Huff managed eight goals and 22 total points in 25 games played in 2013-14, his senior campaign at the high school level.
With their final two picks in the Phase I Draft, the Lancers claimed Brighton (MI) High School defenseman Todd Kiilunen, a 5'10", 165 lb. left-handed shooter 110th overall in the seventh round and with their eight-round choice, Omaha snatched forward Phillip Knies 126th overall from the Arizona Bobcats U15AAA program. A Phoenix, Arizona native, Knies is a 5'8", 165 lb. left-handed shooting winger.
The 2014 USHL Entry Draft continues Tuesday at 8:00 am with the 24-round Phase II Draft, open to any junior-eligible player, regardless of birth year. Full coverage of Tuesday's Phase II draft is available via USHL.com and the Lancers' official twitter feed @OmahaLancers.
In 2014-15, the five-time Anderson Cup and seven-time Clark Cup Champion Omaha Lancers drop the puck on their 29th season in the USHL. Season ticket packages for the Lancers' third campaign at the state-of-the-art Ralston Arena are available now starting at just $12.50 per game! To reserve your seats, contact the Lancers' ticket office today at 402-344-7825, extension 1, or log on to www.lancers.com for more information. Be sure to follow the Lancers on Twitter @OmahaLancers and don't forget to 'Like' the official "Omaha Lancers" fan page on Facebook.
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