Lumberjacks Sign Forward Alex Gaffney to Tender

April 18, 2018 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release

MUSKEGON, MI - The Muskegon Lumberjacks have utilized one of their two available tender agreements, signing forward Alexandros (Alex) Gaffney from the North Jersey Avalanche.

Ahead of the USHL Phase I draft, teams can elect to sign up to two players to tenders in lieu of their first and/or second round picks. Teams must give up their first-round pick with the first signing, and if they make a second signing, they forfeit their second-round choice.

General manager John Vanbiesbrouck has signed Gaffney, electing to forego his first-round, Phase I pick in the 2018 draft.

"Gaffney is an explosive player," said Vanbiesbrouck. "He has great vision and outstanding speed."

Gaffney, 15, is a 5-foot-8, 150-pound forward who hails from West Orange, New Jersey. Playing for the North Jersey Avalanche U16 team this season, Gaffney scored 39 goals and added 31 assists in 47 games. Gaffney's contributions helped the Avalanche win both the T1EHL and AYHL championships.

Committed to Harvard University, Gaffney becomes the fifth tender in Muskegon Lumberjacks history. The last time Muskegon used their tender was on Russian forward Andrei Svechnikov, who is the #1 ranked North American skater for the 2018 NHL draft.

By signing a tender, Gaffney guarantees his roster spot for the 2018-2019 season. Tender agreements include a clause stating signees must play at least 55% of their team's games in their rookie season.

Muskegon faces the Chicago Steel in game three of the opening round of the Clark Cup playoffs tonight at LC Walker Arena. Puck drop is slated for 7:15pm, and the winner of the game advances to the Eastern Conference semifinal.

United States Hockey League Stories from April 18, 2018

• Chicago Ousts Muskegon, 5-4, in Overtime of Game Three - Muskegon Lumberjacks
• Stars Take Game 2 with a 6-3 Win over Sioux Falls - Lincoln Stars
• Steel Eliminate Lumberjacks in Overtime, Advance to Conference Semifinals against Team U.S.A. - Chicago Steel
• Force Heading to Western Conference Semifinal Versus Omaha - Fargo Force
• NTDP USHL Clark Cup Playoff Schedule Released - U.S. National Team
• Waterloo Black Hawks Sign Wyatt Schingoethe to Tender - USHL
• Schingoethe Signs with Black Hawks - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Preview: Storm Seek to Extend Series vs. Fargo - Tri-City Storm
• Lumberjacks Sign Forward Alex Gaffney to Tender - Muskegon Lumberjacks
• Storm Drop Series Opening Game in Fargo - Tri-City Storm
• Fighting Saints Rout Gamblers in Game 2 - Dubuque Fighting Saints
• Steel Keep Season Alive with 6-2 Win over Muskegon - Chicago Steel
• Stampede Shoot Down Stars in Series Opener, 5-3 - Sioux Falls Stampede

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