Derek Zike selected in USHL Entry Draft

The United States Hockey League (USHL) granted a special pick in the 2009 USHL Entry Draft to the Indiana Ice. With that selection, the Ice selected Derek Zike who spent this season with the Chicago Fury U16 team before being seriously injured in a tournament game on January 16th.

Zike's injury occurred when he lost an edge while trying to make a turn and fell head first into the boards at a high rate of speed. The impact with the boards resulted in a burst fracture of the 5th cervical vertebrae that left Derek in a state of paralysis.

After spending several weeks at the University of Michigan Children's Hospital, Zike returned to his home in Fishers, Indiana just outside of Indianapolis. His condition has shown considerable improvement since the accident and Zike's line of paralysis has moved down several levels which signifies healing in his spinal cord.

The Indiana Ice chose the hometown kid in the 20th round of the USHL Entry Draft with the final pick. The club will continue to support his recovery and will present Derek with an Indiana Ice jersey bearing the number 71, his number while playing with the Chicago Fury.

"The Indiana Ice organization is 100% behind Derek Zike's rehabilitation," stated Paul Skjodt, Indiana Ice Owner/Governor. "The Ice will always hold a spot for Derek and will be waiting for him as he continues his recovery."

"Derek Zike has shown the heart of a champion and we congratulate him on being selected by the champion Indiana Ice," stated USHL Commissioner Skip Prince. "We welcome Derek to the USHL and like the rest of the hockey world, will continue to monitor his recovery."

For more information about Derek or to contribute to his recovery, please visit www.derekzike.com.

Phantoms...

The Phantoms aren't drafting from their own team. The team from the NAHL is no longer in existance so all the players on that team are free agents...so if the Phantoms want to keep their players - they need to draft them or have them come to camp.

I just learned this from J.P.

Phase II...

Our pick, Joe Faust, was the first of Phase II.

J.P.'s not ready to share the protected list yet - but know that there will be familar faces at Invite Camp and everyone is being considered.

As of now, no local boys names have been brought up multiple times but all of the coaching staff is on the phone so I'll make sure to ask later.

Shattuck

From the mouth of J.P. Parise...

There will be no players chosen by the Bucs from Shattuck in the draft.

Schedule

The schedule comes out sometime in late June or July.

I think that we'll be moving back to the West Division with the addition of the USNTDP and Youngstown...so we'll play Omaha a few more times.

Once again, my opinion, nothing set in stone yet.