Lancers Select 21 in Phase II of 2014 USHL Draft
Published on May 7, 2014 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
RALSTON, NE - On the second day of the 2014 USHL Draft, the Omaha Lancers selected 21 players Tuesday in the "Phase II" portion of selections, open to all available junior-eligible players. In addition to the Lancers' six "Phase I" choices, Omaha tabbed ten forwards and 11 defensemen, including four import players and four college-committed skaters, on the final day of the league's annual entry draft.
"We added a ton of quality talent today and we're excited about the future of our program," said Lancers Head Coach and General Manager Brian Kaufman on Tuesday. "As a staff, we're looking forward to tryout camp at the end of the month and seeing this group on the ice.It's certainly an exciting time for our team."
The Lancers' first "Phase II" choice, the 15th overall pick of the draft, was Dartmouth College recuit Ben DiMaio, a 6'2", 175 lb. left-handed defenseman and native of Pembroke, Massachusetts. "We're very excited to get Ben in the first round," said Kaufman on Tuesday. "He's a shut-down defender and an excellent puck mover."
Using each of their first four "Phase II" picks on blueliners, the Lancers chose Red Wing, Minnesota native Mickael Bigelbach 33rd overall in the second round. Another sizable defender, the 6'2", 175 lb. Bigelbach split time with the NAHL's Minot Minotauros and Janesville Jets in 2013-14 with the left-shooting defenseman tallying four goals and 16 points in 62 total games played. "Bigelbach's experience at the junior level will be helpful," explained Kaufman Tuesday. "He's a big, strong kid who plays a physical, hard-nosed game."
In the third round, Omaha spent the 53rd overall pick, acquired in October via trade from the Waterloo Black Hawks, on Moorhead, Minnesota native Will Borgen, a 6'2", 178 lb., right-handed shooting defenseman coming off a strong season for the Moorhead (MN) High School Spuds. "Will's got size, but he's very mobile," said Lancers Assistant General Manager and Director of Scouting Rick Comley on Tuesday. "He's very skilled and has great patience with the puck."
With the 70th overall pick, the Lancers used their fourth round selection to snatch another experienced junior defenseman in Traverse City, Michigan native Kyle Froese, a 6'0", 192 lb., 20-year old left-handed d-man that spent each of the past three seasons in the NAHL. In stints with the Traverse City North Stars, Soo Eagles and Corpus Christi IceRays, Froese posted 13 career goals and 41 combined points in a total of 149 career NAHL games. "Kyle's an athletic, two-way defenseman," said Comley Tuesday. "We're excited about his upside on the offensive side of the puck."
The first forward selected by the Lancers on Tuesday was Woodbury, Minnesota native Josh French, a 5'11", 160 lb. Minnesota State-Mankato recruit from Minnesota's Hill-Murray High School that went in the fifth round, 88th overall. "Josh is a smooth skating forward with terrific puck skills," said Kaufman. "We're excited to watch his development."
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.
United States Hockey League Stories from May 7, 2014
- Lancers Select 21 in Phase II of 2014 USHL Draft - Omaha Lancers
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- Phantoms Make Picks for the Future in Both Phases of USHL Draft - Youngstown Phantoms
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