Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Pre-Draft Jitters? No Way! We're Ready!
Prior to today the website for the USHL listed that the drafts would take place the afternoons of Tuesday, May 18th and Wednesday, May 19th.
But in actuality, the drafts will take place at 10:00 AM CST on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday's future draft will have six rounds and start bright and early - Wednesdays draft will also start bright and early.
No need to worry though - we'll be ready to go both days - keeping you up to date as we go pick by pick from the road!
And yes, we said road...the "war room" is going to be mobile this year. Details next week - but we're taking this year's drafts serious. So stay tuned folks!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
2010 Entry Draft FAQ (pt III)
No. Players can only be drafted by one USHL team.
Is it possible to be drafted into more than one league?
Yes, players can be drafted into several different leagues. However, they are only allowed to play in one and will be classified in one September 15.
Can a player still get drafted even though he has signed a tender with another league?
Yes, the tenders that are signed in other leagues have no bearing on the USHL or its draft.
How does a player know when he is drafted?
Players will be notified of their selection within 24-48 hours of the draft by the coach of the team that selected them.
Is the draft open to the public?
You will be able to follow the draft online at www.ushldraft.com. Public availability of the draft is subject to change.
What about the protected lists, will those be posted as well?
Individual team protected lists will be posted following the draft. Once the draft is completed, the USHL will have a dead period lasting approximately two weeks where no roster movement can take place.
(Source: USHL.com)
2010 Entry Draft FAQ (pt II)
The affiliate list is made up of players in the U-18 category. The list contains players that can be added anytime over the course of the season, either for full-time duty or as an injury replacement. These players can be drafted either during the entry draft or the futures draft. These players do not have to play in 10 games to be given veteran status and can be placed on a team's initial protected list.
How many players can be drafted onto the affiliate list?
Each team is allowed to draft and assign 12 players to their affiliate list.
Who is considered a veteran player?
A veteran is classified as any player who played in 10 or more games for that team in the previous season. Regular season and playoff games both count toward this number.
How is the draft order determined?
The order is determined using the reverse order of standing based on points accumulated from the previous season. In other words, the team that finished last in the previous season will have the first pick, while the team that finished first overall will have the last pick.
Does getting drafted guarantee you are on the team?
No. Getting drafted simply means that your USHL rights belong to that team. It does not guarantee that you will be on the team at the start of next season.
If drafted, does a player still need to go through tryout camps?
Yes. Coaches usually require that all returning veterans, as well as players that are drafted go through tryout camps just like the players that aren't drafted but do get invited.
(Source: USHL.com)
2010 Entry Draft FAQ (pt I)
This year's draft will be held on May 19th at 1:00 p.m. (CDT)
Who is eligible to be drafted?
Anybody that the coaches feel can contribute to their teams can be selected. A player must have birth date of 1990 or younger.
What does a player have to do to become eligible?
Nothing, players are automatically eligible. Nothing in addition to playing has to be done. No phone calls need to be made and no forms need to be filled out.
How old do you have to be to get drafted?
Although there is no formal age restriction, USHL players generally are between the ages of 16-20.
How many rounds are in the draft?
That number varies. Prior to the draft, each team submits an initial protected list consisting of the veteran players that they wish to protect and also the players that they drafted for their affiliate list. Once that number is established, teams will draft until their list reaches 23 players. When a team reaches 23 players, they are done selecting until every team in the league gets to that number. Once everybody is at 23 players, then teams will begin selecting again until their list reaches 30 players. When every team has 30 players on their list, they are finished selecting and the draft is complete.
(Source: USHL.com)
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Interested in playing for the Buccaneers?
The Des Moines Buccaneers continue to be a staple of hockey in the Midwest – with 30 years of experience the team has won four Anderson Cup regular season championships, as well as four “Tier 1” National Championships and 4 Clark Cup Playoff Championships. Des Moines is an amazing city that has supported the Des Moines Buccaneers for over 30 years. Playing hockey in this city affords our athletes many academic, cultural, and entertainment opportunities that serve to improve the overall experience of playing junior hockey.
Along with the team success and the support of a great community, a number of Buccaneer players have continued to have success in the sport of hockey long after their days in Des Moines were over. We have been the starting point for over 200 collegiate hockey players. On this year’s roster, 15 of our player’s have committed to play at Division I schools after completing their junior hockey careers. Our league places over 100 players annually in Division I college hockey. This means that you will be playing with and competing against the finest players in North America. If you want to be the best, you must compete against the best each day at practice and in every game.
We are currently in heavy preparation for the 2010 USHL Futures Draft, as well as the 2010 Entry Draft. Both drafts will be held in mid-May. Shortly after the conclusion of the drafts, the Buccaneers will host their tryout camps at Buccaneer Arena.
If you are interested in receiving consideration to attend a Buccaneers camp, please download and complete our Prospect Questionnaire. Our coaching staff will research each request received and letters of invitations to camp will be emailed and/or mailed to selected player following the 2010 USHL Draft on Wednesday, May 19th.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
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.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Final Pick....
The coaches want to thank you for watching along - we're going to collect our thoughts and we'll post some final thoughts throughout the night.
Thanks everyone!
In Round Five...
Round 4 Pick...
Round 3...
Round 2 Pick...
According to coaching staff; the Thunder Bay kids are mean...just down right mean.
The Last Four Picks...
Brandon Burrell a defenseman from Brooklyn Park, MN was chosen in Round 10. The '90 comes from the Wenatchee Wild and played with DJ Vandercook.
Special Achievements or Special Awards:
All Conferance for 2 Years
All State Honorable Mention,Captain
All Area Team, MVP
Rookie of the Year
Uncommon Sophomore
Taylor Wolfe a forward from Eden Prairie and Eden Prairie High School was picked in Round 11 of the draft and rounded out our Phase 1 list. The '91 is fast and strong.
Joe Faust was chosen in Round 1 of Phase II from Bloomington Jefferson High School. The '91 is from Bloomington. Faust had 13 goals and 21 assists in the 2008 - 2009 season.
Round Eight Pick...
J.P. says this pick is for the bloggers - you like big, we'll give you big. :)
Seventh Round Pick...
Who We're Going After...
We want players that can play in the league. We're looking to finish out our lines. We have impressive forwards and are trying to build up our defense.
The players are all taller, bigger...we want to have a presence on the ice. They seem to be looking towards tomorrow and the future. Its a balancing act.