USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks

Muskegon Lumberjacks USHL Draft Phase I Recap

Published on May 2, 2023 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


MUSKEGON, MI - The United States Hockey League's Entry Draft kicked off on Tuesday night with Phase I. Only 2007 birth years were eligible to be selected during Phase I with the rest of the players born between 2003-2007 eligible during Phase II on Wednesday night.

Round 1, Pick 4 - Cameron Aucoin (Tender)

The Lumberjacks first round pick was spent as a tender during the season when the team signed Cameron Aucoin. A 2007 birth year from Chicago, Illinois. Aucoin has spent the past three seasons playing with the Chicago Mission AAA program where this past year he recorded 16 points in 15 games on the 15U team. Cameron's older brother Kyle played 28 games for the Lumberjacks during the 2020-21 season.

Round 2, Pick 19 - Sam Spehar

With their pick in the second round the Lumberjacks selected Sam Spehar, a skilled forward from Chaska, Minnesota. During 2022-23 Spehar played with the Sioux Falls Power 16U AAA team where he produced 66 points in 44 games. Sam measures 5'8, 163 pounds and excels at moving around the ice with his above average skating ability.

Round 3, Pick 34 - Gavin Katz

The first of three third round draft picks for the Lumberjacks belongs to Gavin Katz a Dellwood, Minnesota native that played the past two seasons with Shattuck St. Mary's. Katz, a prolific scorer, led Shattuck in points this season with 64 through 54 games split evenly with 34 goals and 30 assists. The right handed shot provides an instant boost in the offensive zone for the jacks.

Round 3, Pick 41 - Kyle Heger

The second Shattuck St. Mary player to be selected by the Lumberjacks is Kyle Heger, a defenseman that excels at both ends of the ice. The 5'11, 179 pound left handed d-man had 22 assists at 30 total points in 59 games with the Sabres this season. His ability to move up and down the ice with pace helps him play in all three zones.

Round 3, Pick 42 - Jacob Eilers

Another Chicago Mission player Jacob Eilers was selected by Muskegon with the 42 pick of phase I. With 21 points in 15 games this season Eilers was a steady presence in the middle ice as the top line center on the Chicago 15U AAA team.

Round 4, Pick 49 - Danny Klaers

The Lumberjacks started their fourth round by selecting right handed defenseman Danny Klaers. From Minnetonka, Minnesota Klaers played Minnesota High School Hockey this past season as a steady presence on the Minnetonka blue line.

Round 4, Pick 51 - Cameron Caron

The Lumberjacks looked to New Hampshire and the New Hampton school for the 51st pick of the draft selecting Cameron Caron. The forward recorded 47 points in 34 games with the Huskies while mixing in 20 games played with the Cape Cod Whalers U16 AAA team. Caron has the ability to create space for himself leading to high quality scoring chances.

Round 5, Pick 64 - Reese Lantz

With the 64th pick in phase I Muskegon selects Reese Lantz from the Milwaukee Jr. Admirals. Out of Hartland, Wisconsin Lantz is a smooth skating defenseman that excels on the blue line not just at 5-on-5, but also on the powerplay. At 5 '11, 160 pounds Lantz adds size to his puck moving ability.

Round 6, Pick 85 - Samuel Doyon-Cataquiz

The first goalie selected by Muskegon Samuel Doyon-Cataquiz joined the Lumberjacks with the 85th pick. From Montreal, Quebec Samuel played last year with Mount St. Charles had 26 wins in 31 games last season with a .910 save percentage and 2.18 goals against average. Doyon-Cataquiz is also the first international player selected by the Lumberjacks.

Round 9, Pick 124 - Nick Koering

The Lumberjacks added some size to the blue line by selecting Nick Koering with the 124th pick. The Eden Prairie, Minnesota native stands 6'3 with great movement. Koering spent this season playing Minnesota High School Hockey with Eden Prairie.

Round 10, Pick 139 - Ethan Drabicki

In the tenth round the Lumberjacks selected Ethan Drabicki from Victory Honda U15 AAA. The Livonia, Michigan native amounted 72 points in 75 games this past season. The forward excels at playing in the gritty areas of the ice while mixing in a strong ability to find the back of the net.

Check out the Muskegon Lumberjacks Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



United States Hockey League Stories from May 2, 2023


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