Futures Draft Information and Results
Bensenville, IL (April 19, 2011) -  The season may have ended 2 weeks ago, but the Steel are already looking to future seasons as they take place in the 2011 USHL Futures Draft. Chicago and the other fourten USHL Member Clubs other than the NTDP (which does not participate in the USHL Futures Draft) will each select six (6) hockey prospects from the 1995 birth year age group during the six rounds of the USHL Futures Draft.

The six players drafted on Tuesday will then be placed on the Steel affiliate list for the 2011-12 season.

Each Member Club retains the rights to its drafted players for up to three years, and can add any of its affiliate list players to its active roster during the season.

The Steel get the second pick of the first round, and then the order will reverse from there.

With the fourth overall pick in the 2011 Futures Draft, the Chicago Steel have selected Forward Patrick Polino of the Buffalo Regals.  Polino comes in at 5'8, 155lbs and is a gritty, smart, shifty and skilled center.  "Patrick is versatile and contributes over the whole sheet of ice, he's a creative playmaker and is also an adept goal-scorer with a quick, accurate wrist-shot and a hard slap-shot" said Scott McConnell on his first round draft pick. 

The Scouting Report: Competes full-out every shift and is tough to play against, he has good hands and offensive vision. Elevates his game in the critical moments and when his team really needs him. Gives a great effort on the penalty-kill.
Stats: 35GP - 13 Goals - 20 Assists - 33 Points - 36 PIMS.  Watch the USHL Interview with Patrick below.

With their second pick in the draft, 29th overall, the Steel have chosen Jake Kauppila.  Last season the 6'0 170lb forward played for Team Illinois.

The Scouting Report: Has good size and is a strong skater. Plays a strong game along the boards and has the skill to play at the USHL level and will end up being a great college hockey player.  Watch the USHL Interview below.

With only 2 picks in between Chicago's last choice, the Steel have selected Biagio Lerario in the 3rd round, 32nd overall. Biagio, 5'10, 155lbs played left wing for the Chicago Mission last season.

The Scouting Report: Smart two-way player with good intangibles and upside in the skills department. A hard-nosed player that can kill penalties and block shots.

With the 59th overall pick in the 5th round, the Steel chose Jacob McNamara.  Coming in at 6'0, 180lbs, McNamara is a Defenseman who played with Detroit Victory Honda last season.

The Scouting Report: A mean, tough defenseman with a lot of character. An aggressive player that projects to be a big, tough defenseman.

In the 6th round, 62nd overall Chicago selected Andrew Burton.  Burton is a 6'0, 180lbs Forward who played with the Chicago Mission last season.

The Scouting Report:  A good-sized center with excellent balance and a hard shot. A late bloomer that played his first year of AAA hockey this season.

With their final pick in the 2011 USHL Futures Draft, the Chicago Steel selected Goaltender Kameron Limburg.  Kameron played with Detroit Compuware  last season and is 6'1, 175lbs.

The Scouting Report:  Tremendous upside. Great size. Natural technical ability. Potential to be a great starter in the USHL.