Mitchell Mattson Selected in 2016 NHL Draft
June 25, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release
Bloomington Thunder Forward Mitchell Mattson at his Draft Press Conference
(Bloomington Thunder)
BUFFALO, New York - Mitchell Mattson (University of North Dakota, Calgary Flames) has become the first NHL Drafted Player from the Bloomington Thunder in team history. The forward from Grand Rapids, Minnesota was selected by the Calgary Flames in the fifth round of the 2016 NHL Draft with the 126th overall pick. In the two year existence of the Bloomington Thunder, this is the first player taken by an NHL organization. Mattson will join the Thunder for the 2016-17 season in September as the team hopes to make a run back to the USHL Clark Cup Playoffs.
At 6-foor-4, Mattson has big upside heading into the remainder of his junior hockey career and into college at the University of North Dakota. Leading into the draft he was ranked as the 49th North American skater by NHL Central Scouting. The forward was featured at the NHL Combine, finishing third in the overall ranking for vertical jump, and also came to Buffalo for the CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game back in September. Mattson was selected by Bloomington in the first round of the 2014 USHL Phase I Draft with the eighth overall pick.
Calgary selected multiple American born players in the draft following in the USHL footsteps of Johnny Gaudreau. "Its good to see so many Americans being taken by the Flames," said Mattson. "It's great to see that happening and I'm just excited to be a part of it."
"Playing in the USHL is definitely bigger and faster. You're playing against bigger, older, faster guys (than in high school) so it forces you to play at the highest level," commented Mattson who will be returning to the Bloomington Thunder. "I really like it in Bloomington a lot. The coaching staff and all the guys out there are great and have really helped my development.
"Being there has taught me to mature fast," he continued. "You're away from your family and you have to take care of yourself to be at peak performance every day. It has taught me how to train like a pro hockey player and I'm excited to get back there this season."
Images from this story
 Bloomington Thunder Forward Mitchell Mattson |
 Bloomington Thunder Forward Mitchell Mattson at his Draft Press Conference |
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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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