Springfield Jr. Blues Draft Nick Anderson with 1st Round Pick
Jr. Blues Draft 15 players in NAHL Entry Draft
SPRINGFIELD, IL –The Springfield Jr. Blues lead the North American Hockey League Entry Draft with 15 picks.
Nick Anderson of Willow Glenn, CA was the 1st round selection of the Jr. Blues. “I am very excited to get the chance to coach Nick again. Nick’s passion for hockey and desire to exceed at hockey makes him a perfect fit for us” said Coach Zasowski.
The rest of the draft went as planned for the staff as the Jr. Blues drafted four players from Northern California. “As a AAA coach I have stated that there is good hockey players in NORCAL and I am excited to give them that opportunity” stated Coach Zasowski.
The Jr. Blues also stayed in the state of Illinois by drafting 5 Illinois players. “We want players from Illinois that are looking to play division I hockey to think of Springfield when they are looking to take that next step into junior hockey” stated Zasowski.
Here is how the draft went by round for the Jr. Blues:
1. Nick Anderson – 1994 Forward, Bobcaygeon Bucks GMHL
2. Traded Pick
3. Dan Lopez – 1994 Forward, Team Illinois (Committed to Harvard)
4. John Sloan – 1994 Defender, Indy Jr. Ice 18U
5. Ji Young Li – 1995 Defender, San Jose Jr. Sharks 16U
6. Tommy Cooney – 1994 Forward, Philly Jr. Flyers 18U
7. Michael Severson – 1994 Forward, Team Illinois 18U
8. Corey Lauer – 1993 Defender, Vaughn Vipers OJHL
9. Jon Hall – 1994 Forward, Indy Jr. Ice 18U
10. Robbie Jackson – 1997 Forward, LA Selects 14U
11 .Kyle Blondin – 1993 Defender, Seattle Totems
12. Cole Anderson – 1995 Forward, Chicago Mission 18U
13. Peter Straub – 1996 Forward, Chicago Young Americans 16U
14. Oliver Takasci-Nagy – 1995 Forward, San Jose Jr. Sharks 16U
15. Trevor Voelker – 1994 Forward, Queen City Steam NA3HL
16. Andrew Sprouse – 1993 Defender, Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks NA3HL
The most interesting pick of the day by the Jr. Blues was their 10th round selection of 14 year old Robbie Jackson. Jackson played for the LA Selects 14U team that won the Pacific District Championships. He is widely considered one of the best 1997’s in the US.
Players drafted by the Jr. Blues will be in Springfield July 20-22nd for Invite Camp.
About the Jr. Blues
The Springfield Jr. Blues are the NAHL’s longest running active team, having joined the NAHL back during the 1993-94 season. The Jr. Blues are just one of seven NAHL teams to have won multiple Robertson Cup Championships (1996, 1997). Over 160 alumni have gone on to NCAA Division I and III hockey.
About the NAHL
The NAHL, the only USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier II Junior league boasting 28 teams from across North America, prides itself on the social maturity and skill development of student-athletes ages 16-20 with aspirations of advancing to collegiate and/or professional hockey. To date in 2011-12, over 110 NAHL players have committed to NCAA schools. Famous alumni of the NAHL include: Stanley Cup Champion and Conn Smythe/Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas, Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller and Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane. For more information, visit www.nahl.com.
