Muskegon Lumberjacks 2025 USHL Phase I Draft Recap
USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks

Muskegon Lumberjacks 2025 USHL Phase I Draft Recap

May 5, 2025 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


MUSKEGON, MI - On Monday night, the Muskegon Lumberjacks and the rest of the USHL participated in the 2025 Phase I draft. Fifteen players born in 2009 joined the Lumberjacks family.

Before the start of the draft, the Lumberjacks and Green Bay Gamblers announced a trade that saw Anthony Thomas-Maroon join the Lumberjacks. A 2024 Phase I selection of the Gamblers, Thomas-Maroon played last season for the Long Island Gulls 16UAAA team, recording 55 points in 58 games.

Round 1, Pick 10 - Ty Bergeron (Tender Signing)

At the start of April, the Lumberjacks and Ty Bergeron agreed on a tender signing to bring the young to the lakeshore. Bergeron, the captain of the HoneyBaked 15UAAA team, had 107 points in 69 games played.

Round 2, Pick 25 - Nolan Marto

Few players had more points than Nolan Marto at the Bantam AA level last season. In fact, there was only one. With 126 points in 50 games, Marto scored second in the nation.

What sets Marto apart from the rest is his high IQ. Paired with elite skill and speed, Marto is poised to continue his success in the offensive zone of the ice when he makes the jump to the USHL and Muskegon.

Round 3, Pick 40 - AJ Valenti

If it's not broken, don't fix it. The Lumberjacks went back to the well in the third round with another player from the HoneyBaked program. AJ Valenti spent the past season playing with Bergeron on the 15U AAA team, where he scored 80 points in 64 games.

At 5'8, Valenti attracts player comps to some of the NHL's top defensemen in Lane Hutson and Cale Makar.

Round 4, Pick 49 - Max Penkin

Every year, a handful of players go down as a "steal." Despite being a fourth-round pick, Penkin shows the upside of being a generational player. Born in Germany, Penkin played with the Germany National Under-18 Team at the World Championships, where he recorded 5 points with 2 goals and 3 assists.

Round 5, Pick 67 - Whitaker Rewertz

If there is one thing the Lumberjacks have shown this season, it's that a strong goalie and defense core can take a team a long way through the season. Whitaker Rewertz joined the Lumberjacks in the 5th round with the 67th overall selection.

His long strides helps him join the rush up the ice, leading to 23 points in 29 games this season with Hibbing/Chisolm in Minnesota High School Hockey.

Round 6, Pick 85 - Cam Anderson

Back in November, Cam Anderson took to the ice at Trinity Health Arena with the Chicago Reapers 15U AAA team as part of a showcase in front of USHL and College scouts. Anderson impressed with his enormous size and skill in tight to the crease, earning a selection in the 6th round by the Lumberjacks.

Round 7, Pick 91 - Vilmer Salen Forsberg

Between the success of alumni Joey Daccord, Brandon Bussi, and Devin Cooley in pro hockey and the current goalies Muskegon Gadzhiev and Peck, the Lumberjacks have become a goalie factory. In the seventh round, the Jacks added Vilmer Salen Forsberg to the organization.

Swedish-born netminder Salen Forsberg has played with the Swedish National U16 Team, posting an impressive .921 SV% and 2.51 GAA.

Round 9, Pick 130 - Jeshan Hayer

The Lumberjacks traveled to the East Coast in the 9th round and selected Jeshan Hayer, a Calgary, AB native, with the 130th overall selection. A quick-moving defenseman, Hayer's vision allows him to direct play from the top of the blue line, finding open teammates and shooting lanes in the offensive zone.

Round 10, Pick 145 - Peyton Schneider

Round 10 brought another HoneyBaked alum in Payton Schneider, a smooth-skating forward out of Clarkston, MI. Schneider had 69 points in 61 games with the HoneyBaked 15U AAA team.

Round 11, Pick 160 - Landon Nickulas

In the eleventh round, the Lumberjacks selected defenseman Landon Nickulas from the Cape Cod Whalers 15U AAA team. His ability to move up the ice and make his way east to west helps him keep the puck out of trouble and into high-scoring chances.

Round 12, Pick 175 - Matys St-Gelais

With the 190th pick in the 13th round, the Lumberjacks selected Xavier Rowe from Scarborough, Ontario. This past season, Rowe played with the Toronto Titans U16AAA team, recording 44 points in 74 games.

Round 13, Pick 190 - Xavier Rowe

With the 190th pick in the 13th round the Lumberjacks selected Xavier Rowe from Scarborough, Ontario. This past season, Rowe played with the Toronto Titans U16AAA team recording 44 points in 74 games.

Round 14, Pick 204 - Ty Raap

The Lumberjacks selected Muskegon native Ty Raap in the 14th round of the Phase I draft. A former Lakeshore Jr. Lumberjack, Ty spent this past season on the East Coast playing for the Long Island Gulls 15U AAA. At 6'4, Raap is one of the tallest players in the USHL Draft.

Round 15, Pick 216 - Connor DeBoer

The connection between Shattuck St. Mary's and the Lumberjacks strikes again with Connor DeBoer joining the Lumberjacks family as the 216th pick in the 15th round. A native of Prior Lake, MN, DeBoer was clinical at Shattuck with 50 points in 58 games this season.

Round 15, Pick 226 - Dasean Willmarth

Dasean Willmarth becomes the latest Lumberjack with the 226th pick of the Phase I Draft. Joining Valenti on the blue line for the 15U AAA team, Willmarth was top 5 in scoring in the nation among defensemen with 71 points in 69 games.

Round 15, Pick 232 - Lawson Kearns

Lawson Kearns, the 232nd overall selection in the Lumberjacks Phase I Draft class, rounds out the class. This season, Kearns played with the Mid-Fairfield Rangers, where he showcased his speed and size.

Check out the Muskegon Lumberjacks Statistics



United States Hockey League Stories from May 5, 2025


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.

OurSports Central