Feature Story

30 USHL players ranked by Central Scouting

 

By Jon Garver

 

National Hockey League Central Scouting released their mid-term rankings for the 2009 NHL Draft, and the USHL has 30 current and former players among those ranked. The USHL players are part of the North American rankings; players from Europe are part of a separate list.

The USHL had 27 skaters and three goaltenders ranked. All 12 USHL teams had at least one player make the list. Waterloo and Fargo led the way with five players ranked apiece.

Chicago Steel defenseman John Moore was the highest-ranked USHL skater, coming in eighth on the list, meaning that he is projected as a first-round pick in the NHL Draft in June. The native of Winnetka, Ill., is 6-2 and 180 pounds and has scored 10 goals and 27 points in 29 games for the Steel this season. He had 15 points in 56 games with Chicago last season.

“It is an honor to be recognized in the rankings,” Moore said. “The USHL has been great in developing me as a hockey player. This ranking also motivates me to have a strong second half of the year and hopefully make a run in playoffs.”

Moore is committed to Colorado College.

“John Moore is a player that continues to grow and improve each and every day in the USHL.  He has established a level of confidence this season with his size, speed and skill, allowing him to be one of the top players and defenseman in our league,” said Chicago Steel Head Coach Steve Poapst. “He should and will be highly sought after in this year’s NHL Draft. The Chicago Steel is fortunate to have a player of John’s caliber and leadership in our organization.”

Omaha forward Louis Leblanc, ranked No. 18, is also projected to go in the first round.

Fargo’s Mike Lee is ranked fourth among North American goaltenders and the highest of the three ranked USHL netminders.

“The day that the mid-term rankings come out is almost always one of the most anticipated days of the season. It gives us a good indication on where our players stand in the eyes of NHL scouts and how we’ll do come draft day in June,” said USHL Executive Vice President Gino Gasparini. “Once again we’ve had a good showing in the rankings and I’m excited to see where the players will be selected come draft day.”

Below is the complete list of USHL players from the mid-term rankings.

John Moore – Chicago (8), Louis Leblanc – Omaha (18), Josh Birkholz – Fargo (33), Alex Chiasson – Des Moines (34), Seth Helgeson – Sioux City (40), Philip Samuelsson – Chicago (59), Ryan Daugherty – Omaha (68), Blake Thompson – Sioux Falls (81), Nick Oliver – Fargo (82), Jeff Costello – Cedar Rapids (89), Jared Festler – Lincoln (97), David Gerths – Lincoln (107), Oleg Lee – Fargo (109), Garrett Peterson – Lincoln (127), Tyler Barnes – Waterloo (137), Keegan Flaherty – Fargo (154), Stepan Novotny – Indiana (156), Pat Mullane – Omaha (157), Patrick Wey – Waterloo (166), Mike Cichy – Tri-City (168), Nick Jensen – Green Bay (170), Jordan Samuels-Thomas – Waterloo (179), Zach Golembiewski – Indiana (183), Alex Krushelnyski – Chicago (188), Nick Oddo – Cedar Rapids (203), Sean Escobedo – Sioux Falls (208) and Lee Moffie – Waterloo (210).

The USHL had three players make the goaltender rankings. They were Mike Lee – Fargo (4), Jeff Teglia – Omaha (26) and Joe Howe – Waterloo (29).

The draft will be held in June at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec.

 

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