Lumberjacks acquire Blake Christensen from Youngstown

Press Release

MUSKEGON, Michigan (November 14th) – The Muskegon Lumberjacks have announced a trade with the Youngstown Phantoms in which they have acquired Forward Blake Christensen and Youngstown’s fourth-round pick in the 2014 USHL Phase One Draft in exchange for affiliate Forward James Winkler and Muskegon’s third-round pick in the 2014 USHL Phase One Draft along with their sixth-round pick in the 2014 USHL Phase Two Draft.

Christensen, the Rochester Hills, Michigan native, is currently in his second season in the USHL and totaled two goals in 12 games played with the Phantoms this season.  Christensen, was drafted by Youngstown in the first round (9th overall) during the 2013 USHL Phase Two Draft and last season spent the year playing for the U.S. National Developmental Program recording three goals and two assists in 29 games played.

Prior to coming to the USHL, Christensen spent two seasons playing for the Little Caesars Under-18 Team out of the High Performance Hockey League (HPHL) accumulating 56 points (27 goals and 29 assists) in 52 games played.

James Winkler, the York, Maine native, was drafted by the Lumberjacks in the third-round (37th overall) during the 2013 USHL Phase Two Draft and is playing this season for the Portland Jr. Pirates out of the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL).  Winkler is committed to Northeastern University out of the Hockey East Association following his junior career.

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)