Futures Draft Date changes

Press Release

The United States Hockey League has announced it has made changes to the format of its Futures Draft, most notably the move of the draft from October to May, a change that will occur in time for this year's draft. Since it first became part of USHL player procurement in 2003, the draft has always been held in late summer or early fall.

Said Commissioner Skip Prince, "The USHL, together with USA Hockey, continues its commitment to aggressively promote and develop the American Development Model. We offer the best of both worlds, for the best players in North America – that is, the opportunity to develop for both college and the NHL. Holding our draft in May is one way to let our brightest young stars to know that America's Tier One league is out there, alongside the NTDP program, assessing their skills and development, and looking to draft the 'young guns' who will be America's hockey future."

The move is yet another step the USHL is taking in its ongoing realignment with USA Hockey and the National Team Development Program, which will join the USHL this year and play a full schedule in the USHL's Eastern Division. The merger of the two programs will offer an unprecedented level of coordination in the selection and development of hockey's elite juniors.

"We at the USHL are committed to drafting players at a younger age now than in the past to help them define a clear path for their careers, one that will take them through the USHL, onto college and eventually into the professional ranks," said USHL Director of Central Scouting Bob Turow.

By moving the draft to May, the USHL intends to offer more 16-year-olds than ever the opportunity to work toward a position in the USHL.

"Our futures draft moving to May is great for the United States Hockey League as well as for the young players in our country," said Cedar Rapids Head Coach Mark Carlson, the chair of the USHL Coaches Committee.

Upon the draft's completion, the USHL in conjunction with its central scouting branch will produce a "50 To Watch" list, highlighting the top players on the cusp of reaching the USHL, and will regularly review nearly 300 players in the development system.

"We'll be drafting more young players, and right now that means players born in 1993, in 2009 and 2010," Turow said. "We are literally watching hundreds of players in this age category right now and have a good grasp on which players will be standouts in the USHL in the very near future."

The USHL is celebrating its 30th season of junior hockey in 2008-09. With over 150 players already committed to NCAA Division I schools and 16 NHL Draft picks playing in the league, the USHL is the nation's foremost producer of junior hockey talent. For more information, visit us on the web at www.ushl.com.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)