USHL Sioux Falls Stampede

Oshie, Finely taken in first round of NHL Entry Draft

Published on July 30, 2005 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Sioux Falls Stampede News Release


For the first time in team history, two Stampede players were drafted in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft. The draft, which took place in Ottawa, Ontario Saturday afternoon, saw a record eight U.S. born players taken in the first round.

Forward, T.J. Oshie was taken 24th overall by the St. Louis Blues. Oshie, who will attend the University of North Dakota this fall, tallied five points (3g, 2a) in 11 games with the Stampede last season. Prior to joining the Stampede, Oshie played high school hockey in Minnesota for the Warroad Warriors where he finished as the state's top scorer with 96 points (36g, 60a). In March he helped guide the Warriors to the Minnesota State "A" Championship.

Joe Finley was selected 27th overall by the Washington Capitals. The 6'7", 230-pound defenseman posted 13 points (3g, 10a) and 181 penalty minutes in 55 games last year with the Herd. Finley recently accepted a scholarship to play hockey this fall with Oshie at the University of North Dakota.

Also selected in the draft, was Stampede forward Joe Vitale. A native of St. Louis, MO, Vitale was selected in the seventh round (195th overall) by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Vitale recently committed to play college hockey this fall at Northeastern University. Vitale, tallied 31 points (11g, 20a) in 53 games with the Stampede.

Brian Lee of the Lincoln Stars was selected #9 overall by the Ottawa Senators. With Lee, Oshie and Finley all taken in the first round it marked the first time in NHL draft history that three players directly from the USHL were selected in the first round.

Not surprisingly, Sidney Crosby was taken #1 overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Minnesota Wild took Benoit Pouliot of Alfred, Ontario with the fourth overall selection.

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United States Hockey League Stories from July 30, 2005


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