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USHL Sioux Falls Stampede

Stampede active in draft

May 4, 2006 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Sioux Falls Stampede News Release


The Sioux Falls Stampede made some big moves early in the USHL Entry Draft Thursday morning, trading goaltender Alex Kangas and a sixth round draft pick to the Indiana Ice for their first round pick (5th overall) and forward Bradley Malone. With the fifth pick the Stampede selected goaltender Matt Lundin from the University of Maine.

Lundin (5/1/86), a native of Apple Valley, MN, spent last season playing at the University of Maine. Lundin appeared in 14 games last year with the Black Bears, posting a 7-4-0 record, a 1.72 GAA and a .934 save percentage. Lundin also spent the 2003-04 season with Maine, appearing in nine games and posting a 1-0-0 record and a 2.00 GAA. Prior to joining the Black Bears, Lundin played at Apple Valley High School where he was named the top senior goalie in Minnesota and First-Team "All State."

Malone (5/20/89), a native of Miramichi, New Brunswick, is the cousin of Pittsburgh Penguin Ryan Malone and his Dad Jim was a first round draft pick of the New York Rangers in 1980. Malone, 6'3" 205-pounds, spent last season playing for Cushing Academy in Canada. He is an extremely talented forward who is expected to be an early draft pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

The Stampede took defenseman Zach Hansen with their second first round pick (12th overall). Hansen (9/10/87) spent last season playing for White Bear Lake High School where he finished third on the team in scoring with 25 points (6g, 19a) in 16 games. Hansen is regarded as a skilled, feisty and competitive defenseman. Hansen (5'10", 165-pounds) was also a Minnesota All-State golfer along with Stampede head coach Kevin Hartzell's son, Brandon. Coach Hartzell knows Hansen as good as anyone else in the draft and says he is excited to have his skill and competitive nature on his team.

In the second round (24th overall) the Herd selected defenseman Chris Huxley (2/10/87). A native of Weymouth, MA, Huxley has already committed to Harvard University for the 2007-08 season. He is regarded as a very skilled defenseman who handles the puck well and can quarterback the powerplay. Huxley (5'11", 195-pounds) spent the last three seasons playing at Noble & Greenough Prep School. Last year, he posted 44 points (18g, 26a) in 30 games while captaining the varsity team to a 25-3-2 record. He was named to the "All-New England Team" and the Boston Globe "All-Scholastic Team." He also served as team captain for the Greater Boston Junior Bruins Team that took home a state and national championship.

In the fourth round (48th overall) the Stampede selected forward Joe Miller from Wayzata, MN. Miller (9/11/87), a senior, led the Wayzata Trojans in scoring with 61 points (36g, 25a) in 25 games. Miller (5'11", 192-pounds) was a Minnesota "Mr. Hockey" finalist and named to the "All-Metro" team. Miller didn't only in excel in hockey; he was football star as well. He served as a tailback for the state champion Wayzata Trojan football team. Miller helped lead the Trojans to a 28-24 win over Cretin-Derham Hall with a 49 yard run late in the fourth quarter. He was also named to the "All-State" football team.

In the fifth round (60th overall) the Stampede took goaltender Jay Clark. Clark (9/15/87) is a native of Baudette, MN and split time last season with the Indiana Ice of the USHL and the North Iowa Outlaws of the North American Hockey League (NAHL). He played in 11 games with the Ice, posting a 2-4-2 record, a 3.73 GAA and a .879 save percentage. Clark (6'0", 175-pounds) went 6-15-1 with a 3.42 GAA and a .901 save percentage with North Iowa.

In the sixth round the Stampede selected defenseman Sam Zabkowicz. Zabkowicz (6/12/87) split time last season with the Dallas Stars "AAA" Midget team and the Texarkana Bandits of the NAHL. Zabkowicz appeared in 11 games with the Bandits during the regular season posting an assist and four penalty minutes. He also appeared in six games during the post season and tallied two points (1g, 1a). Prior to this season, Zabkowicz (5'10," 170-pounds) attended Culver Academy in Culver, IN.

In the seventh round the Herd took forward Matt McCollen of Westford, MA. McCollen (5/6/88) spent last season at Belmont Hill Prep School in Massachusetts.

In the eighth round (85th overall), Sioux Falls took forward Trevor Doden of Red Wing, MN. Doden (8/12/87) spent last year playing at Red Wing High School where he finished second on the team in scoring with 36 points (16g, 20a) in 28 games.

In the ninth round, the Stampede selected forward Trevor Nill. Nill (4/11/89) is currently playing with the Compuware Midget "AAA" team in Detroit, MI. In 21 games with Compuware, Nill has 13 points on four goals and nine assists. Last year, Nill (6'2" 170-pounds) tallied 18 points (10g, 8a) in 25 games for the Compuware 1989 team.

With the Stampede's 10th pick in the draft, they selected forward David Solway (5/30/87) of Milwaukee, WI. Solway (5/30/87) spent this past season playing in the North American Hockey League with the Sante Fe Roadrunners. In 58 games, Solway posted 39 points (16g, 23a) and 81 penalty minutes.

For their 11th pick, the Stampede took Chris Francis from Las Vegas, NV. Francis (5'10" 180-pounds) spent this past season playing with the Las Vegas Midget "AA" team. Coach Hartzell considers him one of the top five forwards in the West and describes him as a young, fast and skilled player.

The Stampede selected Joe Smith from Woburn, MA with their 12th pick. Smith (6'1" 195-pounds) spent this past season playing at Phillips Academy-Andover in Andover, MA. Stampede Director of Player Personnel Craig Sarner describes Smith as a speedy and crafty centerman who has great skill.

With the Stampede's 13th selection, they selected defenseman Kent Wittman from Ellenton, FL. Wittman (6'0" 185-pounds) played this past season with the Dallas Stars "AAA" midget club. Craig Sarner says Wittman has a great upside, is speedy and can also play very well offensively.

The Stampede took forward Ryan Guentzel with their 14th pick of the USHL Entry Draft. Guentzel (7/14/86) is the son of University of Minnesota assistant coach, Mike Guentzel. He is currently playing with the Southern Minnesota Express of the NAHL playoffs. He finished the regular season as the club's third leading scorer, posting 55 points (20g, 35a) in 57 games. In nine playoff games, Guentzel has 11 points (5g, 6a) for the Express.

With their 15th pick in the USHL Entry Draft the Stampede selected defenseman Derek Grogan of Eagan, MN. Grogan (6'1" 200-pounds) spent this past year playing for Eagan High School where he posted 30 points (5g, 25a) in 30 games for the Wildcats.

With the Stampede's final pick in the USHL Entry Draft, the Stampede took forward Mike Vitale (5'9" 170-pounds). Vitale (88 Birthdate) spent this past season for the Midget Major hockey for the Chicago Chill. Vitale finished fourth on the team in scoring this year, posting 96 points (39g, 57a) in 76 games while leading the Chill to a second place finish in the national championship.

Those players along with the 13 players protected by the Stampede prior to the draft make up a 30-man roster leading up to Stampede tryout camp, June 1-4 at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis. Players protected prior to the draft include: Jared Hummel, Jake Bauer, Zach Redmond, Jay Barriball, Jake Drewiske, Patrick Tiesling, Chris Meyers, Corey Tropp, Nick Dineen, Channing Boe, Drew Fisher, *Taylor Matson (Holy Angels) and *Doug Leaverton (Mohoning Valley/NAHL). *=On Futures list from last season

Team rosters are now frozen until June 1st when teams can then begin adding and dropping players. More information on tryout camp will be made available in the coming weeks. Check back later on sfstampede.com for an audio interview with head coach Kevin Hartzell on the draft.

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