USHL draft yields state-bred talent

The USHL held their annual entry draft yesterday and several prominent Michigan hockey players were selected by the 11 teams.

Defenseman Chad Morin of the U.S. National Team Development Program, based in Ann Arbor, went to the Clark Cup runner-up Sioux City Musketeers with the eighth pick of the first round. Soo Indians forward Ray Kaunisto went to the Clark Cup champion Cedar Rapids RoughRiders with the tenth pick of the first round. Kaunisto has committed to Northern Michigan for the 2006-2007 season.

Other players with Michigan ties with round and (overall pick):

2 (17) - Ben Ryan, F, Des Moines (Victory Honda AAA)
2 (19) - Frank Grzeszczak, D, Sioux City (HoneyBaked AAA)
2 (20) - Chad Langlais, D, Lincoln (Cranbrook Kingswood H.S.)

3 (25) - Patrick Tiesling, F, Sioux Falls (Marquette Electricians AAA)
3 (30) - Dustin Gazely, F, Sioux City (Compuware AAA)

4 (37) - Jon Madden, F, Indiana (Howell H.S.)
4 (38) - Derek Roehl, F, Lincoln, (Youngstown Phantoms - NAHL)
--Roehl is a Clinton Township native.
4 (40) - Kyle Page, D, Indiana, (Victory Honda AAA)
4 (43) - Scott Wietecha, D, Cedar Rapids (Victory Honda AAA)

6 (59) - Cody Reichard, G, Indiana (Capital Centre Pride AAA)

7 (71) - Michael Guzzo, F, Chicago (Victory Honda AAA)

8 (83) - Andrew Rowe, F, Sioux City (Mona Shores H.S.)

9 (92) - Brian Hogan, G, Lincoln (Catholic Central H.S.)

14 (110) - Matt Jones, F, Sioux City (Soo Indians - NAHL)

15 (119) - Travis Paeth, F, Waterloo (Mona Shores H.S.)
15 (122) - Bobby Reiners, D, Lincoln (Cranbrook Kingswood H.S.)

16 (128) - Tony Yearego, D, Indiana (Belle Tire AAA)

18 (150) - Harrison Niemann, F, Indiana (Catholic Central H.S.)
18 (152) - Anthony Schooley, F, Waterloo (HoneyBaked AAA)
18 (155) - Stephen Balint, F, Lincoln (Chilliwack Chiefs - BCHL)
--Balint is a Grosse Ile native.

20 (172) - Kevin Piepsney, F, Indiana (HoneyBaked AAA)