USHL Makes History at 2012 NHL Draft
Published on June 23, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL) News Release
It was a historic night for the USHL at the 2012 NHL Draft as six players who spent the 2011-12 season in the USHL were chosen in the first round, surpassing the previous record of four first-rounders from the League in one draft year.
The big night began when Team USA defenseman Jacob Trouba was selected ninth overall by the Winnipeg Jets. Just five picks later, the Buffalo Sabres would make a trade to acquire the 14th overall selection, and with that pick they chose Dubuque Fighting Saints forward Zemgus Girgensons.
It was another Dubuque Fighting Saints player selected 23rd overall when the Florida Panthers took defenseman Mike Matheson. It would only be two picks later that another USHL defenseman heard his name called when the St. Louis Blues drafted Jordan Schmaltz of the Green Bay Gamblers 25th overall.
A pair of Team USA members rounded out the night for the USHL when defenseman Brady Skjei and forward Stefan Matteau were selected with consecutive picks, Skjei going 28th overall to the New York Rangers and Matteau following at 29th to the New Jersey Devils.
The Dubuque Fighting Saints got another piece of good news when their top choice in the recent USHL Entry Draft heard his name called on Friday night at the NHL Draft. Forward Mark Jankowski was selected 21st overall to the Calgary Flames after the Saints took him 11th overall exactly a month ago in the 2012 USHL Entry Draft.
One USHL alum was also selected in the first round on Friday night as Henrik Samuelsson was picked 27th overall by the Phoenix Coyotes. The forward spent the 2010-11 season in the USHL with Team USA.
The 2012 NHL Draft continues on Saturday with rounds 2-7. Full coverage of USHL players at the draft can be found throughout the weekend on www.USHL.com
CLICK HERE to get a full recap on the first round from Matt Gajtka of the Muskegon Lumberjacks and Bart Logan of the Youngstown Phantoms.
Notes:
- It was the second time in three drafts that the St. Louis Blues took a USHL player 14th overall when they chose Girgensons. Two years ago, they selected Tri-City Storm forward Jaden Schwartz 14th overall in the 2010 NHL Draft.
- When the Florida Panthers selected Matheson, it marked the sixth consecutive year that the organization has drafted at least one USHL player.
- Schmaltz is the first player to be selected in the first round after winning the Clark Cup in the same season since Kyle Okposo (7th overall) and Trevor Lewis (17th overall) did so during the 2006 NHL Draft after leading the Des Moines Buccaneers to the Clark Cup.
- Jankowski will become the first-ever player selected in the first round of the NHL Draft that will then continue his career in the USHL.
- Samuelsson's brother Philip Samuelsson was selected in the 2009 NHL Draft after playing in the USHL that season with the Chicago Steel.
United States Hockey League Stories from June 23, 2012
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- Lancers Defenseman Jake Bischoff Drafted by NY Islanders - Omaha Lancers
- 2012 NHL Draft Complete - 28 USHL Players Selected - USHL
- DeBlouw Headlines Jacks' Big Day at NHL Draft - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Waterloo Black Hawks 2012 NHL Draft Recap - Waterloo Black Hawks
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- USHL Makes History at 2012 NHL Draft - USHL
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