The United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) held its annual draft last week in which the 13 league teams select potential players for the following season and beyond.
The USPHL NCDC refuses to publish draft results in numerical order, instead choosing to reveal the order in alphabetical order, per team.
The USPHL NCDC Draft isn’t binding except within the league. Due to the USPHL NCDC not being sanctioned or under the USA Hockey umbrella, players can be drafted into the NCDC and still choose to play elsewhere, such as the USHL, NAHL or BCHL.
Below are the 2019 USPHL NCDC Draft results with commentary on notable selections:
Boston Bandits
Jonathan Assayag, ’00, F, Montreal, Que./Phillips Andover
Drew Bennett, ’00, F, St. John’s, Newfoundland/Kimball Union
Adrian Franco, ’02, F, Grosse Point, Mich./Belle Tire 16U
Chris Hocevar, ’02, F, Canton, Conn./Phillips Andover
Max Itagaki, ’02, F, Glen View, Ill./Chicago Mission 16U
Kevin Johnston, ’01, F, Mahwah, N.J./NJ Devils 18U
Aidan McDowell, ’01, D, Englishtown, N.J./Mercer Chiefs 18U
Shane Miller, ’00, D, Succasunna, N.J./NJ Rockets 18U
Anthony Sciucco, ’99, F, Winchester, Mass./Junior Bruins NCDC
T.J. Semptimphelter, ’02, G, Marlton, N.J./Lawrenceville
Nathan Young, ’00, F, New Market, Md./Boston Jr. Rangers
Itagaki is the only college commit drafted by the Bandits. The Chicago Mission product is slated to play his college hockey at RPI. On the smaller side, Itagaki has skill and could be a nice addition in this league. Lawrenceville goaltender T.J. Semptimphelter is on the smaller side, but is about to be a three-time national camp participant. Center Drew Bennett ('00) is a smart, two-way center with upside who played the past two seasons for Tim Whitehead at KUA.
Boston Junior Bruins
Jackson Bernard, ’01, G, Huntley, Ill./La Salle Vipers (GOJHL)
Ned Blanchard, ’00, D, West Hartford, Conn./Westminster
Alex Coady, ’00, D, Milford, Mass./Gunnery
Maxime Dumas, ’00, D, Quebec City, Que./St. Paul’s
Alex Duncan, ’00, F, Andover, Mass./Governor’s
Will Gilson, ’01, D, Greenwich, Conn./Westminster
Connor Joyce, ’01, F, Dedham, Mass./St. Sebastian’s
Bob Lockwood, ’02, D, St. Louis, Mo./St. Louis Blues 16U
Julien Menes, ’00, F, Pierrefonds, Que./St. Paul’s
Finnegan Sayers, ’01, F, Williamsville, N.Y./Skipjacks 18U
Jonathan Wescoe, ’01, F, Canonsburg, Pa./Skipjacks Premier
The Junior Bruins went heavy on the prep school players. Connor Joyce ('01), committed to Boston College, was a top-six forward for St. Sebastian’s this past winter. Julien Menes is a little under the radar, due to playing for St. Paul’s, but he’s a solid, two-way center who also plays some defense. He’s a target for NESCAC or lower end Division I programs.
Connecticut Jr. Rangers
Mitchell Allard, ’00, F, Shelby Township, Mich./Victory Honda
Nicholas DeGaetani, ’02, D, Nanuet, N.Y./Millbrook
PJ Demitrio, ’00, F, Sewell, N.J./Virtua 18U
Schuyler Flansburg, ’02, F, Saratoga Springs, N.Y./CP Dynamo 16U
Spencer Flansburg, ’02, F, Saratoga Springs, N.Y./CP Dynamo 16U
Matt Manahan, ’01, F, Skillman, N.J./Lawrenceville
Mike Rocco, ’01, F, Union, N.J./Lawrenceville
Jason Ruszkowski, ’00, F, South Setauket, N.Y./Millbrook
Jack Seymour, ’01, F, Chelsea, Que./Tilton
Jackson Shulmistra, ’01, G, Cary, N.C./Carolina Jr. Hurricanes 18U
Alex Straughn, ’01, F, Wake Forest, N.C./Carolina Jr. Hurricanes 18U
Trevor Wittkopf, ’00, F, Powell, Ohio/Columbus Blue Jackets 18U
After making a strong run to the USPHL NCDC finals without a Division I commit, the Connecticut Jr. Rangers did a good job of being diverse in their draft selections. One player with local ties who could make an impact down the road is Tilton rising senior Jack Seymour, from Quebec. He was the top offensive prospect on the Rams as they won the NEPSAC Small School Championship.
Islanders Hockey Club
Ignat Belov, ’01, F, Minsk, Belarus/Westminster
Breck Crawford, ’00, D, Alpharetta, Ga./TPH Thunder 18U
Simon Delden, ’00, F, Stockholm, Sweden/Hoosac
Thomas Finck, ’99, F, St. James, N.Y./North Jersey Avalanche 18U
Jack Keryluk, ’99, D, Verona, Wis./New Jersey 87’s (EHL)
Mack Keryluk, ’02, F, Verona, Wis./Team Wisconsin 16U
Alex Liebel, ’02, F, Dartmouth, N.H./N.H. Jr. Monarchs 16U
Luca Marini, ’00, F, Coral Springs, Fla./Boston Advantage 18U
Matt Myers, ’02, F, Worcester, Mass./St. John’s Shrewsbury
Zach Nelson, ’99, D, Hudson, Mass./Wellington Dukes (OJHL)
Romeo Torain, ’00, D, Bronx, N.Y./P.A.L Jr. Islanders 18U
Ignat Belov, a UConn commit from Westminster School, has international experience with his native Belarus. Matt Myers is a solid center icemen out of the MIAA circuit.
Jersey Hitmen
Gavin Abric, ’01, G, Hayward, Wis./Hayward HS
Danny Ciccarello, ’01, F, Kirkland, Que./St. Mark’s
Tristian Fasig, ’01, F, Sherman, Conn./Taft
Cam Fernandez, ’00, G, Fairfield, Conn./Millbrook
Caden Freer, ’01, F, Hershey, Pa./Skipjacks 18U
Alex Krause, ’01, F, Calabasas, Calif./Loomis Chaffee
Mike Manzo, ’01, F, Troy, Mich./Little Caesars 18U
Creighton McMahon, ’01, F, Blaine, Minn./Omaha AAA 18U
Mark Meinecke, ’01, D, Potomac, Md./Phillips Andover
Quinn Warmuth, ’99, D, Olmsted Falls, Ohio/Minot Minotauros (NAHL)
Morgan Winters, ’01, F, Osprey, Fla./Tabor
Toby Harris consistently does a good job re-stocking the cupboard for the Jersey Hitmen. Winters is a UNH commit and Krause is slated to head to Vermont. Tristian Fasig, Mark Meinecke and Cam Fernandez are all players who’ve come on strong and could earn college commits with a few years in junior hockey.
New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs
Bret Benson, ’02, D, Manitowish Waters, Wis./Green Bay Gamblers 16U
Tyler Gaulin, ’01, F, Kingston, N.H./Berwick Academy
Isaac MacLeod, ’02, F, Caledonia, Ont./New Hampton
Tim Manning, ’01, F, Concord, Ohio/Holderness
Tyler McNeal, ’02, F, Valencia, Calif./Tahoe Prep
Ryan O’Halloran, ’02, F, Burlington, Mass./Burlington HS
Niclas Puikkonen, ’99, F, Alta, Sweden/Jokerit U20
Jase Sofo, ’02, D, Sylvania, Ohio/Belle Tire 16U
Ben Steeves, ’02, F, Bedford, N.H./Oakland Jr. Grizzlies 16U
Will Winship, ’00, F, Andover, Mass./Islanders HC
Ben Steeves is the most gifted player of any of the draft selections for the Junior Monarchs. His two brothers play at Notre Dame and he spent much of his youth hockey career with the Junior Monarchs’ organization. A sleeper is Ryan O’Halloran out of Burlington High School.
New Jersey Rockets
Luke Aquaro, ’00, F, Yardley, Pa./Brookings Blizzard (NAHL)
Aiden Carney, ’01, F, Paradise Valley, Ariz./Phoenix Jr. Coyotes 18U
Caleb Cordas, ’02, D, Newport Beach, Calif./Anaheim Jr. Ducks 16U
Jackson Dylla, ’02, G, Olathe, Kan./Rocky Mountain RoughRiders 16U
John Johnson, ’01, F, Naperville, Ill./Brookings Blizzard (NAHL)
Sean Matthews, ’02, F, Chicago, Ill./Chicago Mission 16U
Jack Mitchell, ’00, D, Welton Hills, Ohio/Ohio Blue Jackets 18U
Christian Montgomery, ’01, D, Petoskey, Mich./Fox Motors 18U
Shane Murphy, ’00, F, Oriskany, N.Y./Trinity-Pawling
Ben Perkins, ’99, F, Montreal, Que./Langley Rivermen (BCHL)
Ethan Racz, ’00, G, Carlsbad, Calif./Amarillo Bulls (NAHL)
Joshua Russell, ’02, F, Miramichi, N.B./Ontario Hockey Academy
Brody Selman, ’00, F, Mahwah, N.J./Omaha AAA 18U
Jason Franzone continues to do a good job stockpiling younger players for the New Jersey Rockets. Luke Aquaro is a player who could be a strong addition, if he reports from Brookings in the NAHL. ’02 Jackson Dylla is one of the better goaltenders nationally in his age group.
Northern Cyclones
Jacob Breckles, ’00, D, Stouffville, Ont./Cobourg Cougars (OJHL)
Milan Cermak, ’02, F, Trafford, Pa./Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 16U
Nick Davis, ’00, F, North Bay, Ont./Markham Royals (OJHL)
Dayne Hoyord, ’02, F, Stevens Point, Wis./Team Wisconsin 16U
Alec Grace, ’99, F, Laguna Hills, Calif./New Hampton
Braden Lindstrom, ’01, F, Wyandotte, Mich./Oakland Jr. Grizzlies 18U
Kellen Menzies, ’00, D, Roscoe, Ill./Skipjacks 18U
Kris Pietroniro, ’00, F, Boise, Idaho/Bishop’s College
Casper Soderling, ’01, D, Nacka, Sweden/Nacka HJ J20
Artur Turansky, ’01, F, Bratislava, Slovakia/Selects Academy 18U
David Wilcox, ’01, D, Northbrook, Ill./Glenbrook North HS
Admittedly, many of the Northern Cyclones’ picks were out of this observer’s viewership this winter. One player who does stick out is Artur Turansky, who has always been a solid contributor for Selects Academy at South Kent.
P.A.L. Jr. Islanders
Connor Derby, ’01, D, Seabrook, N.H./Berwick
Christopher Garbe, ’99, F, Miller Place, N.Y./NJ Titans (NAHL)
Thomas McAleer, 00, G, Valley Stream, N.Y./Taft
Devin Moran, ’00, F, Leominster, Mass./Winchendon
Stephen Perez, ’00, D, Bloomfield, N.J./Trinity-Pawling
Ian Pierce, ’01, D, New York, N.Y./Kent
Matt Toporowski, ’00, F, Kirkland, Que./St. Mark’s
Ryan Trom, ’00, F, Raleigh, N.C./Gunnery
Robert Staring, ’01, D, Springfield, Va./Selects Academy 18U
Tommy Winges, ’00, D, North Oaks, Minn./St. Thomas
The P.A.L. Jr. Islanders did a nice job here, especially if some of these players report. Dartmouth commit Ian Pierce would be a terrific addition and Christopher Garbe is a former Brown commit from Selects Academy.
Rochester Monarchs
Logan Beller, ’00, F, Flagstaff, Ariz./Phoenix Jr. Coyotes 18U
Fletcher Bolda, ’99, G, Alpena, Mich./Thief River Falls Norskies (WSHL)
Parker Bolda, ’02, F, Alpena, Mich./Honeybaked 16U
Andrew Clouden, ’00, D, Hamburg, N.Y./Buffalo Jr. Sabres 18U
Riley Cooley, ’00, F, West Mifflin, Pa./Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 18U
Eric Hill, ’01, D, Royal Oak, Mich./Victory Honda 18U
Austen Kerridge, ’01, F, Grand Haven, Mich./Fox Motors 18U
Matt Kunach, ’00, F, Morton Grove, Ill./Chicago Young Americans 18U
Nick Maksymiu, ’01, F, Deerfield, Ill./Chicago Young Americans 18U
Robert Nuchereno, ’01, G, Williamsville, N.Y./Nichols School
Kyle Penton, ’00, G, Waltham, Mass./Albany Academy
Alex Raketich, ’01, D, North Allegheny, Pa./Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 18U
Drew Rose, ’00, D, Brasher Falls, N.Y./Northwood
Griffin Tominez, ’02, F, Rochester, N.Y./Millbrook
Peter Zdrzalka, ’02, D, Park Ridge, Ill./Milwaukee Jr. Admirals 16U
Griffin Tominez is a player who excelled for the Springfield Rifles and Millbrook School this winter. Keep a close eye on him as well as Parker and Fletcher Bolda from Honeybaked.
South Shore Kings
Pallen Brooks, ’01, F, Highlands Ranch, Colo./Colorado Thunderbirds 18U
Cole Burtch, ’01, F, Markham, Ont./Toronto Patriots (OJHL)
Alex Carrothers, ’00, D, Commerce, Mich./Honeybaked 18U
Jackson Krock, ’01, F, Pittsburgh, Pa./Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 18U
Mitch LaFay, ’02, F, Stratford, Ont./Hill 16U
Giovanni Procopio, ’00, F, Grosse Point, Mich./Oakland Jr. Grizzlies 18U
Drake Semrad, ’01, D, Middleton, Wis./Madison Capitols 18U
Dawson Sciarrino, ’00, F, Greensburg, Pa./Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 18U
Cosmo Sperduto, ’00, D, Brentwood, Tenn./Nashville Jr. Predators 18U
Erik Voloshin, ’00, G, Bedford, N.H./Milton
Ryan Waltman, ’01, F, South Bend, Ind./Oakland Jr. Grizzlies 18U
Tomas Zourikian, ’99, F, Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Que./Deerfield
It’s possible South Shore founds its goaltender of the future in Milton Academy alum Erik Voloshin. The common denominator being Tyler Holske, a hard-working coach and scout who works for both programs.
Twin City Thunder
Christian Blomquist, ’01, F, Milwaukee, Wis./Skipjacks 18U
Tyler Bourque, ’01, F, North Scituate, R.I./Pomfret
Artur Bukharov, ’02, D, Novokuznetsk, Russia/Dynamo St. Pete 16U
Jacob Dirks, ’99, F, Mindoro, Wis./Chippewa Steel (NAHL)
Eamon Doheny, ’01, D, Lunenburg, Mass./Deerfield
Kylar Fenton, ’00, D, Heartland, Wis./Waywayseecappo Wolverines (MJHL)
Carl Froblom, ’00, F, Stockholm, Sweden/Nacka HJ J20
Connor Hasley, ’01, G, North Tonowanda, N.Y./Northfield Mount Hermon
Levente Keresztes, ’02, F, Budapest, Hungary/Hungary MAC U20
Andrew Kurapov, ’99, F, Corvallis, Or./Islanders HC NCDC
Andy Moore, ’02, Cumberland, Maine/Greely HS
Daniels Murnieks, ’02, F, Riga, Latvia/Springfield Pics 16U
Kyle Peters, ’00, F, Mount Laurel, N.J./Virtua 18U
Max Sazanvets, ’02, F, Minsk, Belarus/Springfield Pics 16U
James Shea, ’00, F, Culver, Ind./Culver
Adam Svensson, ’00, D, Ekero, Sweden/Nacka HK J20
Lukas Vacin, ’00, F, Praha, Czech Republic/South Shore Kings NCDC
If he reports, Eamon Doheny, a Deerfield product, would be a great addition for the newest NCDC organization. He’s a throwback defenseman who can also jump into the rush.
Utica Jr. Comets
Matt Altomore, ’01, D, Pickering, Ont./Pickering Panthers (OJHL)
Beniamin Biester, ’01, F, Danville, Calif./Anaheim Jr. Ducks 18U
Zac Currie, ’99, F, Grand Rapids, Mich./Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights (NAHL)
Christopher-Robin Ericsson, ’99, F, Stockholm, Sweden/Vasteras IK J20
Sebastian Heden, ’99, F, Stockholm, Sweden/Edson Aeros
Sebastian Hudec, ’00, D, Banska Bystrica, Slovakia/South Shore Kings NCDC
Kyle Neudorf, ’02, F, Buffalo, N.Y./Millbrook
Barrett Ott, ’00, D, Ketchum, Idaho/Northwood
Preston Stafford, ’00, D, Anchorage, Ala./Compuware 18U
Max Techel, ’00, D, Wausau, Wis./Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL)
Sam Techel, ’01, F, Wausau, Wis./Team Wisconsin 18U
Ryan Wilson, ’00, G, Darien, Conn./Northwood
Ryan Wilson, also a USHL draft pick, would be a solid goaltender after excelling for Northwood. Another nice pickup for the future would be Kyle Neudorf of Millbrook.
