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USHL Des Moines Buccaneers

Zach Jordan Makes Makes NHL Draft Prospect Rankings

April 12, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Des Moines Buccaneers News Release


It's not just Des Moines Buccaneers fans that have taken notice of how much forward Zach Jordan improved this season, NHL scouts have taken notice too. Jordan is one of 48 USHL players named in the final NHL Central Scouting rankings before the NHL draft this summer, ranked 180th among North American skaters.

"It feels really good to be ranked on that list," admits Jordan. "I've kept an eye on it throughout the year to see if I would be able to crack it and making the final list definitely feels good." While Jordan has kept an eye on the NHL CSS rankings, opposing defenseman and goaltenders have had to keep both eyes on the Collinsville, IL native, and that still wasn't enough to slow him down. Jordan had a career year in the USHL, leading his team in nearly every offensive category.

Zach led the Buccaneers this season in goals (32), plus/minus (+8), shorthanded goals (4), game winning goals (5), unassisted goals (5), and shots (222), while tying for the team lead in power play goals (6). His 44 points ranked second on the team and in a few of his team leading statistical categories he had quite a large margin; his 32 goals were 10 more than 2nd best on the team while his 222 shots were 33 more than anyone else on the squad. That "shoot first" mentality is what makes Jordan a scoring threat whenever he is on the ice.

Jordan meant much more to the team than statistics though. He played in all situations and times of the game and was one of the most clutch players in the league, scoring timely goals time and time again. "When we're looking for a big goal, Zach is one of the guys that can step up and deliver it," assistant coach Nate Weossner remarked towards the end of the regular season.

While Jordan has played center in the past and did so for a few games this season, he primarily played right wing, the position he is listed at on the CSS rankings. At 6'3", 215 lbs, Jordan's combination of size and speed compliment his playmaking abilities and give him a real chance to be drafted by an NHL team this year.

At the final game of the regular season, a 5-4 victory over Muskegon in which Jordan scored the first two Des Moines goals, Jordan was named the Most Improved Forward. The improvement showed everywhere on the ice and his numbers back that up; in 74 USHL games over the previous two seasons, Jordan had a stat line of 8-10-18, which was shattered by his production of 32-12-44 this year. Jordan may be peaking at the perfect time, he committed to the University of Nebraska Omaha this February, and he feels he's had a lot of help improving as a player. "My time here in Des Moines has changed me as a player and as a person off the ice," details Zach. "I've really come into stride with the type of player I want to be while playing here and it has a lot to do with the coaching staff. They saw something in me and gave me the chance to play. I can't thank them enough for that."

The Buccaneers wish Jordan the best of luck and hope he'll be drafted like teammate Nikita Pavlychev, who was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins with the 197th overall pick in the 7th round of the 2015 draft. This is Jordan's second year of draft eligibility. The NHL draft will take place Friday, June 24th, and Saturday, June 25th, from the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, NY, home of the Buffalo Sabres.

For a complete list of the NHL CSS Rankings, go to: http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftprospectbrowse.htm

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United States Hockey League Stories from April 12, 2016


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