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USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Letunov, Piccinich, Winkler Named to CSS Final Rankings List

April 10, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Three members of the Youngstown Phantoms organization were named to NHL Central Scouting's final rankings of 2014 NHL Entry Draft eligible prospects, which was released on Tuesday.

Center Maxim Letunov was ranked as the 87th overall North American-based skater, and right wing JJ Piccinich checked in at 135th overall on that same list. Current affiliate player James Winkler came in at 193rd.

Phantoms Head Coach & General Manager Anthony Noreen said that having players attract the attention of NHL scouts is all part of the franchise's goals.

"Guys come in here with goals, and it's our job to help them attain those goals. There's no doubt that Max and JJ had a goal when they came in here of being drafted," said Noreen. "We were able to help them get on this list, and hopefully, their hard work and commitment will help them realize their dreams of getting drafted this summer."

Letunov, who turned 18 in February, ranked third on the Phantoms with 43 points in 60 games (19 goals, 24 assists). The Moscow, Russia native closed the year with 14 points in 18 games, and had 13 multi-point performances during the course of his rookie season.

"Max is certainly deserving of being on this list, and I'm sure there will be an NHL team that's going to love him, and use a fairly high pick on him," said Noreen. "He has things you can't teach: his hockey sense, his offensive instincts, his ability to make people around him better-again, you just can't teach that stuff, and that's what makes him an elite player. He has a big frame; he just needs to work this summer and over the next few years to fill it out, and I don't think there's anything that's going to hold him back."

Piccinich, 17, was the second-highest scorer on the Phantoms, with 58 points in 60 games, breaking out after a 15-point rookie campaign in 2012-13. The Paramus, New Jersey native was the 13th leading scorer in the USHL overall, and led the league in power play goals, with 13.

"It's very hard to score goals in the USHL, and typically, guys who score goals in the USHL move on to score goals in college hockey, and can be guys who score goals in professional hockey," said Noreen. "JJ has a knack for scoring at every level he's ever been at. I think he's really improved his overall game over the last two years here, and he's become a well-rounded, two-way player. He has the physical build for it, he has the work ethic and attitude that you want on your team, and again, a lot of teams are going to be looking very hard to draft him."

Both Letunov and Piccinich are committed to attend Boston University after their NHL careers are over, and will be joined in that city by Winkler, who will attend Northeastern. Winkler, a current affiliate player for the Phantoms, was acquired as the "future considerations" in the trade that sent Blake Christensen to Muskegon. That deal was officially completed on January 23.

"James Winkler is a kid who we traded for this season, and we're very excited to have acquired him," said Noreen. "We expect big things out of him next year while he's with us, and possibly for two years, before he moves on to Northeastern. Again, bigger frame, has the ability to score goals, can play with an edge-we expect him to be a goal-scoring power forward for us here, and we think he merits looks from NHL teams as well."

Winkler, 17, played for the Portland Jr. Pirates of the USPHL Premier during 2013-14, where he was named to the league's All-Star Game. He scored 17 points in 44 contests.

The 2014 NHL Entry Draft will take place on June 27 and June 28 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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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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