Saints Select 10 Players in Phase I of USHL Draft
Published on May 6, 2024 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
DUBUQUE, IA - The Dubuque Fighting Saints completed the Phase I portion of the USHL Draft on Monday afternoon, selecting 10 players in the 2008-birth year class.
Here is a summary of the Saints selections:
Round 1, Pick 14: Nicholas Desiderio (NJ Rockets U15)
Forward, North Caldwell, NJ
June 16, 2008, 6-0, 194
2023-24 Season: 67 GP, 54 goals, 39 assists, 93 points
Notes: Nicholas is the younger brother of current Saints defenseman Matthew Desiderio.
Quote: "Definition of hard skill. Battles hard on pucks, makes plays and makes his teammates better. He helps his team win. He's a Fighting Saint." - Trevor Edwards, Director of Player Personnel
Round 2, Pick 16: Xavier Lieb (Penguins Elite U15)
Forward, Carrolltown, PA
March 14, 2008, 5-9, 154
2023-24 Season: 61 GP, 24 goals, 54 assists, 78 points
Notes: Part of Penguins Elite program for last three seasons.
Quote: "He is the definition of a Fighting Saint. He drives the bus. He's a 200-foot player with relentless skill." - Dan Shrader, Director of Scouting
Round 2, Pick 29: Zane Torre (Shattuck St. Mary's U16)
Forward, Ladera Ranch, CA
April 14, 2008, 6-0, 185
2023-24 Stats: 49 GP, 25 goals, 24 assists, 49 points
Notes: From the same hometown as current Saint Colin Frank, Ladera Ranch, Calif.
Quote: "He has a great stick and great details. He produced at the World Youth Olympic Games. We think he is going to be a ballplayer for us." - Dan Shrader, Director of Scouting
Round 3, Pick 44: Cody Powels (Chicago Mission U15)
Forward, Darien, IL
May 13, 2008, 5-10, 146
2023-24 Season: Chicago Mission U15
Notes: Won a National Championship with the Mission.
Quote: "He is a hard-nosed forward who played on a great team and won a National Championship. He was one of the top scorers on that team. He plays a hard and detailed game and can finish and set up. We've been a big fan of his all year." - Kalle Larsson, General Manager.
Round 4, Pick 59: Kane Johnson (Sioux Falls Power U16)
Forward, West Fargo, ND
February 12, 2008, 6-2, 168
2023-24 Stats: 61 GP, 14 goals, 44 assists, 58 points.
Notes: Scored twice in four playoff games this season.
Quote: "Kane is a big, skilled forward. He represented himself really well at the US National Development Team Camp. He skates well, makes plays and has a ton of potential to be an impact player at the USHL level." - Trevor Edwards, Director of Player Personnel
Round 5, Pick 61: Nathan Hauad (Windy City Storm U15)
Forward, Chicago, IL
September 23, 2008, 5-11, 161
2023-24 Stats: 52 GP, 35 goals, 45 assists, 80 points
Notes: The Chicago native has played for the Windy City program for the last three seasons.
Quote: "He is a super-skilled forward with a great motor. We're very happy to get him where we got him." - Dan Shrader, Director of Scouting.
Round 6, Pick 89: Lincoln Krizizke (Chicago Mission U15)
Defense, Waukesha, WI
April 8, 2008, 6-1, 161
2023-24 Season: Chicago Mission 15U
Notes: Converted from forward to defenseman this season.
Quote: "He converted from forward and emerged as one of their top defensemen. He can move pucks, he can defend and he plays with jam." - Dan Shrader, Director of Scouting.
Round 7, Pick 104: Mason St. Louis (Mid Fairfield Jr. Rangers U15)
Forward, Old Greenwich, CT
January 16, 2008, 5-8, 125
2023-24 Season: Mid Fairfield Jr. Rangers U15
Notes: Mason's oldest brother Ryan played for the Saints last season, while his brother Lucas has been a Saint for the past two seasons. The St. Louis brothers are the sons of Stanley Cup Champion and current Montreal Canadiens Head Coach Martin.
Quote: "Mason is a highly-skilled, playmaking center. He thinks the game at an elite, elite level and makes everyone around him better." - Pete Judge, Saints Scout
Round 8, Pick 119: Beksultan Makysh (Boston Hockey Acad. U15)
Forward, Astana, KAZ
May 24, 2008, 5-10, 150
2023-24 Stats: 55 GP, 66 goals, 49 assists, 115 points
Notes: Makysh hails from Astana Kazakhstan and scored eight goals and 15 points in six games representing his country in 2022-23.
Quote: "He's a Fighting Saint. He has a relentless motor and a high-end skillset." - Pete Judge, Saints Scout.
Round 9, Pick 134: Rennick Hendrickson (Shattuck St. Mary's U15)
Forward, Minnetonka, MN
December 17, 2008, 5-9, 139
2023-24 Stats: 57 GP, 11 goals, 34 assists, 45 points
Notes: Rennick's older brother Beckett was acquired by the Fighting Saints at the trade deadline and has been a key contributor to Dubuque's playoff run. Rennick and Beckett's father, Darby, is an assistant coach for the Minnesota Wild.
Quote: "Rennick is not just Beckett's little brother. He's super smart, has great details and makes everyone on his line better." - Dan Shrader, Director of Scouting.
Phase II of the USHL Draft is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, May 7 at 11 a.m. CDT.
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