USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

Three Veteran Hawks Graded for '21 Draft

October 28, 2020 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


Waterloo, Iowa - Returning Waterloo Black Hawks forwards John Waldron, Matthew Argentina, and Jacob Jeannette have each been listed on the 2020/21 Preliminary Players to Watch List released this week by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the league's 2021 Draft.

At the outset of the season each autumn, Central Scouting assigns draft-eligible players an "A," "B," or "C" letter grade. "A" prospects are considered likely to be drafted during the first round. "B" designations are currently considered second- or third-round candidates. "C" notations mean a player is in the running to be picked in the fourth through sixth round. The NHL Draft is conducted in seven rounds, with 224 picks expected in 2021 as the league expands to 32 teams with the addition of the Seattle Kraken.

Waldron led the group of Hawks with a "B" rating. The soon-to-be 18-year-old from the Chicago suburbs played in 36 Waterloo games during 2019/20 after three appearances as an affiliate the year before. In 39 total contests for the Black Hawks, Waldron has recorded a goal and seven assist. His goal came in a crucial moment, breaking a 3-3 tie and standing up as the game-winner during a 5-3 victory over the Omaha Lancers on the road last December 13th. Waldron also had an assist that night. He is committed to Miami.

Argentina was the youngest member of the Black Hawks last year but still appeared in 45 of 49 Waterloo games, leading to a "C" grade. He tallied five goals and six assists, including an assist on the first Black Hawks goal last season. Argentina also scored in back-to-back games twice during the month of February. The Boston College recruit had a +3 plus/minus differential.

Like Waldron, Jeannette scored his first USHL goal on December 13th, finishing that night with two tallies. Out of the lineup for the first month of the 2019/20 season, Jeannette was limited to 23 contests. He still ended the campaign with a total of seven points (three goals, four assists). Jeannette was a stout +5, which tied for 12th among all of the league's rookie forwards.

Two members of the 2019/20 Waterloo Black Hawks were chosen during the 2020 NHL Draft, which was held earlier this month. Ryder Rolston was picked by the Colorado Avalanche in the fifth round, followed by Wyatt Schingoethe in the seventh round.

NHL Central Scouting will release a midterm ranking of draft eligible players midway through the 2020/21 season. In most years, that list is revealed in January. A final list will be announced between the end of the regular season and the draft.

The Waterloo Black Hawks open the 2020/21 USHL season on November 6th at Young Arena against Omaha.

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United States Hockey League Stories from October 28, 2020


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