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USHL Sioux Falls Stampede

Stampede add scoring touch and veteran presence through USHL Draft

May 13, 2009 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Sioux Falls Stampede News Release


The Sioux Falls Stampede added some scoring touch to their roster and made some noise during the 2009 USHL Draft Tuesday. The Herd added 14 players to their protected list and made a couple of trades to give the Stampede more of a veteran presence. The Herd took six players with junior hockey experience, including Trent Frey who was the leading goal scorer in the North American League (NAHL) and Michael Voran who led the NAHL in playoff scoring.

All the players drafted today, as well as the two players obtained in trades, and the 14 players on the Herd's protected list prior to the draft will be invited to the Stampede's tryout camp, May 29-June 1st in Minneapolis. Click here to view the Stampede's protected list.

The Herd started the afternoon by trading defenseman Blake Thompson and forward Ryan Kesti to Waterloo for their second round draft pick. The Stampede then traded their third round pick to Youngstown for forward Matt Lindblad. A native of Winnetka, IL, Lindblad posted 25 points (5g, 20a) and just 17 penalty minutes in 51 games last year for the Chicago Steel. He was the Steel's first round draft pick (5th overall) in last year's USHL Draft and someone the Stampede had rated as one of the best players in the draft.

With their first pick (6th overall), the Stampede selected forward Michael Voran (3/27/90) of the Wenatchee Wild of the North American League (NAHL). Voran (6'0", 187-pounds) served as captain for the Wild and led the team in scoring with 56 points (24g, 32a) in 55 games. He led all NAHL players in scoring in the playoffs with 22 points (9g, 13a) in 13 games while leading the expansion Wild to the Robertson Cup championship game. Director of Scouting John Rosso said the right winger is a gritty player who has good skills and participated in the NAHL All-Star Game. He played point on their powerplay and works very hard.

With their second round pick (15th overall) from Waterloo, the Stampede selected Ryan Misiak (Miss-ee-ack) of the Motor City Machine (NAHL). Misiak (9/3/91) led Motor City in scoring with 36 points (14g, 22a) in 57 games. The 6'0", 180-pound forward is already committed to Mercyhurst College for the fall of 2011. Coaches feel he has good skills and a very good hockey sense.

With their second pick of the round (19th overall), the Stampede took goaltender CJ Motte (12/10/91) (Mott) of Traverse City (NAHL). Motte (6'0, 170-pounds) split time between the pipes to start the season, but emerged as the starting goaltender later in the year, posting a 22-9-2 record with a 2.30 GAA and a .918 save percentage. His 2.30 GAA ranked sixth amongst all NAHL goaltenders. Mott participated and played very well in the Herd's tryout camp last season.

The Stampede did not have any selections in the third or fourth round.

In the fifth round (58th overall), the Herd selected forward Trent Frey (Fry) of the Springfield Jr. Blues (NAHL). Frey (8/1/89) led the NAHL in goals scored with 35 last season for a team that finished three games under .500. The River Falls, WI native recorded 52 points in 58 games with the Blues. John Rosso calls Frey a pure goal scorer who has knack for scoring that you just can't teach. Frey (6'0," 185-pounds) has already committed to Mercyhurst for the 2010-2011 season. He was a draft choice of the Herd last season and participated in their tryout camp.

In the sixth round (71st overall) the Stampede picked Zack Kamrass (12/14/90), a defenseman from the Springfield Jr. Blues. The 5'11," 185-pound Georgia native posted 12 points (2g, 10a) and was a plus-7 in 50 games this past season. Rosso says he can move the puck well and is a solid all-around defenseman.

In the seventh round (84th overall) the Herd selected James McNulty (5/2/91) of Victory Honda Midget Major. McNulty (6'3," 195-pounds) is considered a tough enforcer who has played both forward and defense, but the Stampede see him more as a winger. He might not put up a ton of points, but is someone who can score if given the chance. McNulty tallied 13 points (2g, 11a) in 36 games for Victory Honda who finished second in their division.

In the eighth round (97th overall), the Stampede picked right winger Matt Tabrum of the Pikes Peak Miners. Tabrum (1/13/91) was second on the Miners in scoring last year, posting 76 points (25g, 51a) and 103 penalty minutes in 53 games. John Rosso says Tabrum plays with a lot of heart and a lot of energy. He is a very passionate player who works hard every night. His dad, Mark Tabrum, is the Director of USA Hockey's coaching education program.

In the 12th round (149th overall) Sioux Falls selected forward Cole Wilson (6/19/90) from the Flin Flon Bombers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. The Wilcox, Saskatchewan native was a member of Team Canada West at the 2008 World Junior "A" Challenge in Canada. He recorded one goal in four games while helping Canada West to a Silver Medal in the tournament. Wilson (6'1," 185-pounds) recorded 30 points (13g, 17a) in 58 games last year for the Bombers.

With their second pick in the 12th round (152nd overall), the Herd took Mike Yanis (6/15/91) from the University of Detroit Jesuit High School. The 6'1," 185-pound defenseman is considered an offensive-defenseman who handles the puck really well. He is a former forward who handles the puck very well. The Stampede received this pick from the Ryan Hill trade during the 2008-09 season.

In the 13th round (162nd overall), the Herd selected forward Jason Clark (2/27/92) of Shattuck St. Mary's. Clark (6'1," 180-pounds) is skilled offensively, skates well and has good hands. The Eden Prairie, MN native recorded 44 points (18g, 26a) in 52 games.

The Herd had no picks in the 14th round due to the George Michalke trade with Fargo last season.

The Stampede made a trade in round 15, trading their pick to Green Bay for forward Jacob Johnstone (5/13/90). Johnstone (5'10," 182-pounds) spent the last two seasons playing for the Gamblers. The Grand Ledge, MI native recorded 15 points (7g, 8a) in 49 games last season while helping the Gamblers to an Anderson Cup title.

In the 16th round (201st overall), the Stampede selected forward Adam Knochenmus of Roseau High School. Knochenmus (4/16/92) finished second on the team in scoring with 43 points (26g, 17a) in 25 games. John Rosso says Knochenmus (5'8," 165-pounds) reminds him of Robbie Vrolyk and someone who plays with a lot of energy.

In the 17th round (214th overall), Sioux Falls took Sam Windle (3/10/92), a forward from Osseo High School. Windle (6'3" 180-pounds) recorded 21 points (4g, 17a) with the Orioles this season. He is considered a smart player who has made improvements in his game over the last season.

In the 18th round (226th overall), the Stampede selected forward Nick Curry (11/2/89) from the Springfield Jr. Blues (NAHL). Curry (6'0," 180-pounds) was second on the team scoring this past year with 56 points (15g, 41a) in 55 games. His 41 assists ranked fifth amongst all NAHL players. The Bettendorf, IA native is considered a very skilled player by John Rosso and very underappreciated. He played with Josh Holmstrom and the Colorado Rampage two years ago and last season played on the same line as fifth round draft pick Trent Frey. The Stampede had a spot open for 1989 birthdates on the roster and feel he could be a good compliment to the team.

With their last pick in the draft (240th overall), the Herd selected right winger Sam Coatta (4/9/90) from Minnetonka High School. The 5'9," 175-pound forward led the Skippers in goals with 26 this past season and recorded a total of 46 points this past season. He is considered a well rounded player who was team captain at Minnetonka this past season and is a multi-sport athlete.

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United States Hockey League Stories from May 13, 2009


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