USHL Draft 2024: Favorite Picks By Team

Phase 1 (2008-born players) and Phase 2 (2004–2008 born players) of the 2024 USHL Draft wrapped up yesterday, marking some intriguing picks and varying options for teams looking to build their futures, their affiliate list, and to retool their team as soon as next season with the Phase 2 process. There’s never a pinpoint on how these drafts can go and where players will end up, as many players who were personally rated high ended up falling way further than expected. Part of this could be the CHL process, where players drafted late are expected to go elsewhere in the coming seasons, and teams don’t want to spend an early pick on those players.

Teams are more willing to take risks when it comes to Phase 2, which helps teams build their upcoming season roster and help rounds out their affiliate list moving forward as well. A lot of these players we saw taken early in Phase 2 this year were from the NTDP U18s, with some potentially coming back to the USHL for one more year of development before heading to college. Also of note for Phase 2, if any team has “Pass” by their name later in the draft, more likely than not they already feel good about where their affiliate list and roster for upcoming main camps are. Any team with “Tender” next to their name means that they instead used their 1st round (and potentially 2nd round) tender, guaranteeing games for a tendered player for the upcoming USHL season. Teams are allowed up to two tenders, which takes place for their 1st round and 2nd round pick in Phase 1 in that scenario.

For personal favorite picks, I’ll choose one Phase 1 and one Phase 2 favorite per team, excluding tenders already made by teams in Phase 1:

Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

1. Phase 1 — David Bosco, F (Belmont School, USHS-Prep): Perhaps most intriguing about Bosco is his ability to catch and release quickly on his shots, shoot with purpose, and get velocity on his shot as a scorer. In-zone offensively, his awareness near the net will make him a threat at future levels as a scorer for sure.
2. Phase 2 — Gabriel Eliasson, LD (HV71 J20, J20 Swedish League): 6'6 defenseman with a lot of upside to grow his body and develop a keen sense of how to use his body in smaller rinks at the junior level in North America. He is committed to the University of Michigan, of whom their staff continues to emphasize the modern-day, hybrid defenseman, so there’s lots of potential for Eliasson beyond college and at the NHL level. He plays sturdy two-way, puck-moving hockey, and again, the size factor and the two-way factor are two intriguing factors here.

Chicago Steel

1. Phase 1 — Nathan Chorlton, F (Cretin-Derham Hall, USHS Minnesota): Was originally going to choose Alexander Hage (Michael’s brother) here, but Chorlton is sneaky good. His competitive drive and tenacity are hard to match, as his elusive 5'8 frame also helps him drive pace and intensity effortlessly. He could care less if he is going against a defenseman on the forecheck way taller than him, he’ll look to gain inside leverage and slip underneath contact when retrieving pucks. When we factor in Chorlton’s sneakily good hockey sense and proactive brain, his highly intense competitive drive, and his baseline foundational skillset, wouldn’t be surprised to see him get some games in with the Steel next year.
2. Phase 2 — Charlie Pardue, C/RW (NTDP U18, Notre Dame commit): The Steel drafted Pardue high, 5th overall. Obviously there’s connections with Brock Sheahan at Notre Dame, but Pardue in general is a fascinating player with some untapped offensive touch still in store at the junior level. He could become an impact top-six forward that can play center and wing right away, and there’s a lot of intangibles in his game that make him standout. He was one of my favorite players to evaluate from the Chicago Mission U15 team a few years back, a team that also included Nick Kempf from the NTDP, and there’s so much more potential for him moving forward.

Des Moines Buccaneers

1. Phase 1 — Blake Zielinski, F (North Jersey Avalanche U15, AYHL): A standout showing at the USHL Combine and throughout his first year of midget with the North Jersey Avalanche, Zielinski is as dynamic as it gets when it comes to 2008 forwards. Not many play at his pace, not many can attack the inside effortlessly with the puck on a string like him, and not many possess the quick-strike scoring ability to shift the paradigms of a game like Zielinski. So much offensive potential, and it’s more a matter of how he’ll continue to translate to the USHL. He’ll continue to be an impact player, as he’ll likely need a year of U16 hockey and then transition to junior like players typically do.
2. Phase 2 — Eliot Séguin-Lescarbeau, G (Shreveport Mudbugs, NAHL): This was a very intriguing pick, as he brings a 6'3 frame, averaged 1.99 GAA as a starter in the NAHL this season, and he is still younger in terms of chronological age as a September 14th birthday. Lots to like here with the potential makeup as a starter for him at the USHL level.

Dubuque Fighting Saints

1. Phase 1 — Nathan Hauad, C (Windy City Storm U15): An elite, elite pick. A slightly biased pick for me since I’ve scouted him more than many other players, as I’ve watched him since his U13 year. He is one of the premier 2008-borns, as somehow he slipped this far and he wasn’t picked in the OHL Draft either. Slightly confusing. He brings game breaking speed, game breaking puck skills and shot, ability to attack the middle lane so well as a center, and he shoots the puck like he is 18+ years old already. It’s very difficult for many AAA players at this level to knock him off the puck given his dynamic skating, hands, and center of gravity usage. The rich get richer in Dubuque, as they are also in the midst of preparing for the Clark Cup Finals against Fargo as well.
2. Phase 2 — Joshua Niedermayer, LD (Arizona State University, NCAA): Niedermayer was drafted in Round 2, very high for Phase 2, so there’s potential he could report in hopes of looking elsewhere for a D1 school to play for. Son of Scott, he brings a similar style game to Scott in terms of completeness and two-way play.

Fargo Force

1. Jacob Monks, C (Little Caesars U15): Fargo didn’t pick until Round 5 this year, making their draft options slightly slimmer based on their acquisition history for their Clark Cup run this season. Monks is an impact play-driving center with small area skill and ability to be a threat on special teams as well. Little Caesars had a lot of firepower up front offensively in 2023–24, and Monks was one of those main offensive drivers that Fargo was able to snag in Round 7. Could be a potential steal here moving forward, depending on his trajectory and without as many of the surrounding offensive stars with LC moving forward.
2. Samuel Huck, F (Okotoks Oilers, AJHL/BCHL): Huck really fits Fargo’s system with pace, ability to attack with speed through neutral ice, and the ability to hold off defenders using body position and not losing speed easily. If he chooses to come to the USHL, he could provide an immediate scoring impact after a lot of Fargo’s forwards will be leaving this year’s squad for school, so he’d have added flexibility and opportunity there.

Green Bay Gamblers

1. Phase 1 — Yegor Shilov, C (Yunost Yekaterinburg): Nifty playmaking center with standout play as an offensive driver already, as he’s been through the international process for tournament games multiple times and has thrived. He’s played very well at District Cup tournaments in the past, and it will be more the question of if he’ll come over to North America at this point.
2. Phase 2 — Edvin Nilsson, LD (HV71 J20, J20 Swedish League): Nilsson plays an engaged style through breaking pucks out with efficiency, transitioning pucks well, playing a hybrid role when necessary, and his edgework and cutbacks are wide and smooth as well. There’s positive potential in how he beats forecheckers and how that can translate to the next level, and there’s positives in his defensive positioning at this age. His offensive impact won’t necessarily be high-end or flashy, but he can be a rover when necessary.

Lincoln Stars

1. Phase 1 — Xavier Wendt, G (Shattuck St. Mary’s U15): Lincoln had a really well-rounded Phase 1 draft, where they hit on a lot of picks, especially early on. The biggest standout was getting Wendt in the 9th round of Phase 1, a premier goalie with starting potential at the USHL level. There’s a lot to like with Wendt’s foundation, his ability to seal rebounds and keep them in control, his poise in the butterfly, and his ability to shutdown pucks near the top of his crease. He played excellent hockey with Shattuck this season as their marquee goalie, including getting some games with USA at the Youth Olympic Games in January.
2. Phase 2 — Kade Kohanski, F (Bismarck Bobcats, NAHL): Kohanski’s playmaking fared really well in his first full year of junior, playing Tier 2 and finishing with 49 points in 60 games. There’s potential impact for him to slot in Lincoln’s lineup next season, unless any moves with Kohanski and his rights change that, as he could definitely slot into a middle-six type role stylistically.

Madison Capitols

1. Phase 1 — Maxim Dubé, F (Long Island Gulls U15): Sneaky good shot, his deception/manipulation/offensive flair using his puck skills allow him to beat defenders 1v1 effortlessly. He can get through you with a nifty deke or around you with puck protection using swift skating and agile body positioning. A lot to like from him as a Round 3 pick, as Dube finished with 90 points in 68 games playing in America for the first time with the Gulls.
2. Phase 2 — Drew Waterfield, C (24–25: Victoria Grizzlies, BCHL): Waterfield is committed to Yale, he’s been a standout player prior with Shattuck St. Mary’s and USA Hockey Development camps, and he’ll be looking to make his transition to junior moving forward. It’s uncertain if he’ll get USHL games in as soon as next season, since his two-way play as a center, positional details, and his slight offensive touch could make him get some games with Madison off their affiliate list. Similar to Kohanski in Lincoln, it’s unsure what will happen with Waterfield and his future rights in Madison.

Muskegon Lumberjacks

1. Phase 1 — Noah Survilas, F (Dexter Southfield School, USHS-Prep): Another player that has been through the prep school route at this age, especially as December 2008 born, there’s certainly leverage here. Survilas has a lot of untapped potential offensively that will continue to blossom in a larger role playing prep hockey, where he can continue to physically develop and develop structure in his game playing against junior-aged players.
2. Phase 2 — Drew Mackie, LD (Aberdeen Wings, NAHL): Mackie has potential as a two-way defenseman at the USHL level based on size and fits Muskegon’s style very well. He can transition pucks well, can quick up on breakouts and outlets with the puck, and plays a direct passing game that can help him adapt to forecheckers better in the USHL.

Omaha Lancers

1. Phase 1 — Jimmy Egan, F (Mahtomedi High, USHS Minnesota): Really underrated potential with Egan and his ability to drive play inside the offensive zone and on line rush sequences. His linear crossover usage is very underrated, he can generate cruising speed and maintain it when handling the puck, and he can play a very direct game with tempo up ice. He scores and can make plays in and around the net with a lot of volume.
2. Phase 2 — Kash Crawford, RD (North Iowa Bulls, NAHL): As a 2006-born RD, there’s still a lot of potential for him moving forward in junior. He finished his first full season of junior with 14 points in 45 games, with potential for increased role moving forward depending on the level he plays at. He’s thrived almost every season he’s played in youth hockey, playing with Bishop Kearney Selects and then the North Jersey Avalanche program his U16 year as well.

Sioux City Musketeers

1. Phase 1 — Dylan Dean, F (Long Island Gulls U15): After an exceptional U14 year with Mount St. Charles, Dean did extremely well his first season of midget playing with the Long Island Gulls as well. He brings a lot of pace, a lot of energy and high tempo when forechecking, but his elusive skill and high scoring potential beyond his youth seasons will make him a threat in junior. He has a lot of natural scoring ability derived from his ability to make plays inside narrow seams, find a teammate on the inside effectively, and look to be involved in dangerous scoring areas in the offensive zone.
2. Phase 2 — Sam Laurila, LD (NTDP U18, North Dakota commit): There’s potential Laurila could come back for at least one more junior season to maintain NCAA eligibility and log more ice time, and he plays a simplistic style of game based on two-way play and puck-moving. He doesn’t bring a ton of flair to either side of the puck, both offensively and defensively, but does an effective job mitigating opponents and playing necessary minutes in difficult situations for his team.

Sioux Falls Stampede

1. Phase 1 — Noah Kosick, C (Pacific Coast Academy U18, CSSHL): A very slick playmaking center who can thread the needle as an east-west playmaker, and can also find seams that other centers have a difficult time finding. He makes the game so much easier on his linemates from his own playmaking perspective, and he is committed to the University of Michigan in the future as well. Lots of potential here for Kosick to become a top-six center in the USHL regularly moving forward.
2. Phase 2 — Austin Baker, F (NTDP U18, Michigan State University commit): Plays with speed, forechecking ability, ability to drive play effectively, and he can manage the puck well inside all 3 lanes in neutral ice as well. He was picked high in Phase 2, with again, no guarantees of him reporting, but the potential for Baker to play one more year is there as well.

Tri-City Storm

1. Phase 1 — William Bent, F (Mount St. Charles U15): Lots of offensive potential and ability to score in a variety of ways from Bent. He can fend off players using his size and can extend offensive zone sequences well using his body positioning. He scored 51 goals in 58 games this season, almost a goal-per-game pace, with 93 points on top of that. A big get for Tri-City in the 3rd round here.
2. Phase 2 — Colby Woogk, LD (Minot Minotauros, NAHL): Committed to Western Michigan and currently wrapping up his 3rd year in the NAHL, Woogk’s standout two-way performance will allow him to transition well to the USHL. He was one of the better players on the Dallas Stars Elite U16 team a few years ago when I scouted him, and he’s continued to get better every season since then in Tier 2 junior as well. Really safe upside bet that can help Tri-City moving forward.

Waterloo Black Hawks

1. Phase 1 — Noah Davidson, F (Shattuck St. Mary’s U16): He thrives as a two-way, playmaking center who can create offense in all sorts of ways. He can do this at even strength and at 5v5. Last season with the LA Jr. Kings U14, he tore it up with 107 points in only 51 games. This season playing up with Shattuck’s U16 team as an 08, he finished with 61 points in 54 games.
2. Phase 2 — Brendan McMorrow, F (NTDP U18, Denver commit): Again, another NTDP player who was drafted high, and has potential to come back to the USHL for one more year. He plays with high pace, high tempo, and can use his puck skills to maneuver with speed effectively as well. There’s variety in how he uses his speed to close gaps defensively, not allow defenders to walk the line easily, and aggressively pressure the point high in the zone.

Youngstown Phantoms

1. Phase 1 — Eric Frossard, LD (London Jr. Knights U16, Alliance U16): Frossard was drafted higher in the USHL Draft than he was in the OHL Draft surprisingly, as he has a lot of potential as an impact top-4 defenseman in the USHL and beyond. He plays sturdy with his 6'4 frame, using leverage as a two-way defenseman with his stick and angles effectively. Offensively, he was a standout on London’s blue line and throughout their playoff run. He also got one game in the GOJHL with the London Nationals as well. This could be a home run pick if he comes over.
2. Phase 2 — Melvin Strahl, G (MoDo J20, J20 Swedish League): Strahl is a high upside goaltender drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in Round 5 of 2023. It’ll depend on Strahl’s trajectory and potential to come over if he logs time in the SHL, which would impact future NCAA eligibility if he plays there. However, Strahl could provide immediate impact for Youngstown if he comes over.

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