Record Six Buccaneers Named to NHL Central Scouting's Final Draft Rankings
Published on April 13, 2020 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Des Moines Buccaneers News Release
DES MOINES, IA - The Buccaneers had an organization record six players named to the 2020 NHL Central Scouting's Final Rankings, ahead of the 2020 NHL Draft. The previous record number of Bucs on the Final Rankings was four, set in 2006.
Des Moines Buccaneers players listed:
North American Skaters
#61) Forward Alex Laferriere (2001). Regular Season Stats: 42 GP: 19 goals-26 assists: 45 pts.
Committed to Harvard University.
#125) Forward Kristof Papp (2001). Regular Season Stats: 44 GP: 16 goals-19 assists: 35 pts.
Committed to Michigan State University.
#127) Forward Lucas Mercuri (2002). Regular Season Stats: 3 GP: 0 goals-1 assist: 1 pt.
Salisbury Prep School Stats: 28 GP: 19 goals-19 assists: 38 pts.
Committed to the University of Vermont.
#182) Defenseman Timothy Lovell (2002). Regular Season Stats: 31 GP: 5 goals-12 assists: 17 pts. Committed to Boston College.
#215) Defenseman Noah Ellis (2002). Regular Season Stats: 5 goals-5 assists: 10 points. Committed to the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
North American Goaltenders
#25 North American Goaltender) Goaltender Cameron Rowe (2001).
Regular Season Stats: 33 GP (14-16-1-0) 3.52 Goals Against Average .899 Save Percentage. Committed to the University of Wisconsin
Des Moines' six players listed are the 2nd most amongst all USHL member clubs.
"It is great to see our players acknowledged by NHL Central Scouting for their final draft rankings," GM Tom Mannino said. "It is a reflection of the emphasis we place on player development. It is also a testament to the hard work and dedication shown by these fine young men and our group throughout the season."
"We are very excited for them and others from our team and affiliate list who will have the opportunity to be selected in the upcoming 2020 NHL Draft," Mannino said.
Laferriere led the Buccaneers in all scoring categories this season with 19 goals and 26 assists for 45 points. He ended the season's final 10 games by racking up 10 goals and 9 assists over that span. He was acquired as a free agent add in 2018 by the Buccaneers.
The Budapest, Hungary born Papp added 6 goals and 10 assists in 23 games played as a Buc, after being traded to Des Moines from Madison in December. He also finished 2nd on the team in power play goals, assists, and points (6-10-16). Papp has also spent time over the past three seasons representing his home country of Hungary at multiple International competitions. In 2018-2019, at the U20 World Junior Challenge, he led Team Hungary with six goals and one assist in five games.
Mercuri concluded his Senior year at Salisbury Preparatory School in Connecticut by leading his club in scoring with 19 goals and 19 assists for 38 points. He made his USHL debut with Des Moines Feb. 7 against Cedar Rapids and tallied his first USHL point two games later against Omaha. In total, Mercuri played three games with the Buccaneers this season. The six-foot-three, 193 pound Forward out of Lasalle, QC was added as a free agent by the Buccaneers in 2019.
Lovell played in 31 games for the Buccaneers after being acquired from the Chicago Steel and contributed five goals and 12 assists for 17 points. Of those 17 points, 12 came on the power play, as Lovell led all Des Moines Defenseman in power play goals, assists, and points (3-9-12).
If selected in this summer's NHL Draft, Urbandale, IA native Ellis would become the first Urbandale native to be selected in an NHL Draft since Bucs' Co-Owner and former Goaltender, Scott Clemmensen, was selected in 1997. The UMass-Amherst commit finished second amongst Rookie Defenseman in the USHL in goals with five. He was drafted in the 16th Round (246th overall) of the 2018 USHL Phase II Draft.
In his first season with the Buccaneers, Rowe backstopped the Bucs to 14 wins, which included an .899 Save Percentage. Rowe also finished third in the USHL in saves with 972. He was acquired by Des Moines in the 2019 USHL Phase II Draft, with the 8th overall selection.
On Mar. 25, the NHL announced the postponement of the 2020 NHL Draft which was scheduled for ¬ÂªJune 26-27 at the Bell Centre in Montreal. The location, date, and format are forthcoming from the NHL once their decisions are finalized.
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- Record Six Buccaneers Named to NHL Central Scouting's Final Draft Rankings - Des Moines Buccaneers
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