Feature Story

USHL well-represented at NHL Draft

 

By Jon Garver

 

The United States Hockey League once again had a strong presence at the 2008 NHL Draft, which was held in Ottawa, Ontario on June 20-21. The league’s impact was not as significant as years past, particularly 2007 when 34 players tied to the league were chosen, including four in the first round. However, people throughout NHL circles are mindful of the USHL and its place in development of NHL prospects.

“Our numbers were down this year, but we expected that coming in. Some of that had to do with the fact that kids who would normally be selected from our league had already been chosen.  Some of it is the fact all of this, and for all leagues not just ours, is a cycle and there will be down years,” said USHL president Gino Gasparini. “But at the same time, throughout the two days in Ottawa, I had NHL people coming up to me telling me that the league is moving in the right direction and they like what we are doing in developing these kids.”

The first USHL player to come off the board was Indiana Ice defenseman John Carlson, the only USHL player chosen in the first round. Carlson, a native of Colonia, N.J. was taken 27th overall by the Washington Capitals. Heading into the draft, Carlson was ranked 17th among all North American skaters, but as day one rolled on, it looked as though Carlson may slip out of the first round.

“There was a point in the draft where I thought there was a good possibility that I might slip out of the first round,” Carlson said. “But even if I didn’t get picked in the first round, it’s still a great honor to get picked in the second round.”

Carlson becomes the 20th player in league history to be chosen in the first round, joining NHLers such as Kyle Okposo (New York Islanders) and Thomas Vanek (Buffalo).  He also helped the USHL keep a streak intact, as the league has now had at least one player chosen in the first round every year since 2002.

“The first thing I thought when my name was called was, ‘Wow, I really did it.’ I just got up, had the biggest smile on my face and saw my family and gave them huge hugs. Everyone around me was cheering and I had 25 other family members there and they were all cheering my name. It was a great feeling,” Carlson said.

He was the highest draft pick in Indiana Ice history.

“I’m real excited for Washington to pick me. They’ve got great players and great coaches there and I’m really looking forward to it,” Carlson said.

But with all the NHL excitement, Carlson didn’t forget the league that helped him get there.

“The USHL had a lot to do with where I am today. Overall it’s done everything for me as a player. Everything about it helped me mature both on and off the ice. Especially as a high school kid, the USHL was a great league to go to,” Carlson said. “You get to play for great coaches and you play in front of thousands of fans a night and you meet some of the best kids on the world. There’s nothing like the USHL experience.”

A total of 18 current and former USHL players had their names called on draft day. Omaha defenseman Patrick Wiercioch and Lincoln forward Jimmy Hayes were taken in the second round, by Ottawa and Toronto, respectively.  Minnesotans Corey Fienhage and Nick Larson, both from Apple Valley, were chosen at No. 81 by Buffalo and No. 108 by Calgary, respectively. 

The highest future USHL player chosen was Danny Kristo of Edina.  Kristo, who will spend the 2008-09 season with defending league champion Omaha, was taken 56th overall by Montreal.

“You can’t help but be excited for the players that were chosen,” Gasparini said. “For any little kid that plays hockey, their ultimate goal is to play in the NHL and we just saw 18 of our own take a big step toward achieving that. It’s a great feeling to know we had a hand in that and we are very excited for them and their futures.”

 

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