Steel Look To Build Upon Last Season With 2008-2009 USHL Entry Draft

Bensenville, IL (May 14th,  2008) --  Wednesday morning the 2008-2009 USHL Entry Draft took place. In all, twelve new players were selected by the Chicago Steel from around the country. Here's a brief look at the players selected in order.

The first round of the draft would give the Steel two picks, numbers five and six, and they would gear up their offense with two forwards.  

Selected with the fifth overall pick in the draft, the Steel selected forward Matt Lindblad.  The 6’0, 190lbs forward played for the Chicago Young Americans last season, leading his team to a 50-15-5 record.   Note: Chicago acquired the 5^th overall pick from the Lincoln Stars in a previous trade. 

Their second choice, 6th overall - Chicago took 1990 6'2 185 lb. forward Andrew Fitzstephens from Team nXi.  Fitzstephens hails from Schoolcraft, MI, and is a solid two-way center that will help solidify the Steel down the middle of the ice.

In the second round, forward Mark Goggin of Choate Prep School in Connecticut was selected. Goggin, a 5'11, 175 lbs 1990 forward that will bring skill and playmaking ability to the Steel.  Goggin was originally property of the Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets and also played for Team USA U-18 team.  

In the third round, Chicago selected forward Matt Tinordi of the Washington Jr. Capitals.  Tinordi is a ’89 birth year who is 6’1, 185 lbs.  He brings 2 years of junior experience to the organization and in 41 games this season with the Jr. Capitals, he recorded 35 goals and 24 assists for 59 points. 

In the fourth round of the draft the Steel selected Greg Wolfe, who played with Honeybaked last season.  A 1990 birth year who is 5’8, 183 lbs Wolfe is a right-handed shot forward.  In 26 games last season Wolfe had 14 goals and 11 assists for 25 points with Honeybaked.  Greg is a two-year veteran of Midget Major hockey. 

After being idle since the fourth round, Chicago was able to begin the second phase of the draft in the twelfth round.  With the seventh pick in the twelfth round the Steel selected, 1990 forward Matt Gates. Gates is a power forward who plays a solid game in both ends of the rink.  He played this past season for the Chicago Mission.

Next, the Steel selected Alexander Krushelnyski who is a 1990 forward who played for the Detroit Little Caesar team.  Krushelnyski is 5’11, 160 lbs that has great vision, sees the ice very well, makes smart plays and will contribute offensively.

Forward Tyler Landman of Roseau High School was next. Tyler is a 5’9 180 lb. forward that had 24 goals and 38 assists in 31 games for Roseau.  He is a hard working player that will resemble the play of Steel player Brian O’Neill.

LA Jr. Kings 1990 Tyler Tosunian was the next pick for the Steel.  Tyler is 5’8 and weighs in at 170 pounds and looks to make an impact for the Steel next season.  He is a good skating, skilled forward that will be an offensive threat when he has the puck on his stick.

1990 forward Tyler Kotlarz (6'0 180 lb.) of Team nXi was selected next for the Steel. Tyler is a player that came a long way last season and has great potential.

The seventeenth round of the Entry Draft found the Steel drafting their first player was not a forward.  Chicago drafted John Nauta, a  '90 6'7 235 lb. goaltender who played for Detroit Little Caesar’s.  John is obviously a big goalie that moves very well in the net and has the potential to be very good goaltender.

Finishing up the draft for the Steel was a previous Steel player.  Defenseman Aaron Schmit, (1988 6'4 225 lb.) played with the Steel during the 2007-2008 season and had 4 goals and 13 assists in 52 games for Chicago.  Aaron is committed to Ferris State college.  

The next step in the team building process will be the Steel's Selection Camp which takes place at the Edge Ice Arena June 9-15 in Bensenville, IL. All drafted players and returning players will be in attendance. The Steel is also sending out individual invitations for their Goalie, Rookie, and Final Camp at the conclusion of the Draft. For those players that receive invitations, they are advised to respond and return their forms immediately in order to solidify their spot at the Camp.