Three Recognized for 2016 NHL Draft

Published on November 24, 2015 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release


BLOOMINGTON, Illinois - Three players with roots to the Bloomington Thunder have been named by the National Hockey League as Players to Watch under the newest edition of the NHL Central Scouting Service report. The report Tuesday morning holds the names of affiliates Mitchell Mattson (University of North Dakota) and Tyler Jette, and alumnus Ethan Spaxman (Merrimack College) who have all played in Bloomington with the Thunder.

Mattson, 17, was selected by Bloomington in the 2014 United States Hockey League Phase I Draft with the eighth overall pick. Since then, the forward has played in 27 games for Bloomington including 14 with the Thunder this season. NHL CSS has ranked Mattson as a "B" rated prospect, projecting him to be selected in the second or third rounds of the upcoming draft.

In addition to playing in Bloomington, Mattson suited up at the CCM All-American Prospects Game which featured 34 of the top eligible American players for the NHL Draft. A native of Grand Rapids, MN, Mattson was also ranked by International Scouting Service in their November report as the 29th prospect. In his time with Bloomington, Mattson has scored eight points (3g, 5a). Mattson was also selected to the USA's U-17 team for the Five Nations tournament in 2014 where he scored three points (1g, 2a) in four games. The 6-foot-4 center is a prospect of the University of North Dakota.

Jette, 17, made his USHL debut this season with the Thunder as an affiliate. He has been ranked by NHL CSS as a "C" rated prospect, projecting him to be selected in the fourth round or later. The defenseman played two games with the Thunder in two wins over Sioux Falls and Madison. Also a native of Minnesota, Jette will play his third season for Farmington High School this season. Through one game, the defenseman has one assist on the power play. The 6-foot-2 blue liner has 47 points (17g, 30a) in his career. Jette was selected by the Thunder in the 2014 USHL Phase II draft.

Also on the list is Thunder alumni Ethan Spaxman (Merrimack College) who has also been ranked as a "C" rated prospect. Spaxman, 18, played in 12 games with the Thunder in 2014-15, grabbing five assists. The Thunder then traded the Brantford, ON native to Waterloo in exchange for defenseman Jeremy Davies (Northeastern University). The 6-foot-3 defenseman has two goals through 10 games at Merrimack this season

The announcement further enforces the Bloomington Thunder and the USHL as producers of the top talent into the NHL. The USHL has 52 players and 12 alumni who have been named on the list. The league is also coming off of the 2015 NHL Draft where 37 players were selected from the USHL, the most of any league in the world.

NEXT HOME GAME: Friday, November 27st - 7 p.m. - The annual Teddy Bear Toss with the Bloomington Thunder helps raise stuffed animals for Toys for Tots. Fans are encouraged to come to the game and throw new stuffed animals onto the ice after the Thunder score their first goal of the game. Tickets to the game will be for a $10 flat rate for any section except glass seats. Call (309) 434-2980 to buy your tickets or for more information.

Season and Partial Ticket Plans: The 2015-16 season has begun, but we can still reserve your seat for every Bloomington Thunder game at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum. You'll have a chance to win a pair of Chicago Blackhawks regular season tickets during the season along with other great promotions if you get season tickets.

Can't make it to every game? Check out 20 and 10-game ticket plans starting at only $100. Make it a voucher pack and get all the same benefits with more flexibility.

Check out our ticket pricing and reserve your tickets by calling (309) 434-2980.

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United States Hockey League Stories from November 24, 2015


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