Rangers announce drafts and tenders

The Marquette Rangers participated yesterday in its first NAHL Draft, which was conducted from Frisco, Texas. Being the newest NAHL team, the Rangers had the first pick in each of the five draft rounds.

The five draft selections join 12 players tendered by the Rangers. The players selected from the try-out camps in Marquette, Chicago (May 26-28) and Detroit (June 23-25), along with the tendered players, will be competing to secure positions on the team’s roster, July 7-9, at the Invitational Camp in Marquette. (Profiles of the draft selections and tendered players are summarized below).

"We got our first look at local, regional and national talent during our first try-out camp over the past weekend," said Marquette head coach Leigh Mendelson. "Based on our tendered players, draft selections and free agents, we feel we’ve made significant progress toward building an excitingly talented team for our inaugural season."

DRAFTED PLAYERS

Stephen Ritter - 6’3” 210 lbs. - Goalie - Providence College - 12/31/86
Native of Tenafly, New Jersey

Neeco Belanger - 5’10” 180 lbs. - Forward - Chilliwack Chiefs (British Columbia Junior Hockey League) - 1/1/87
Native of Marquette, Michigan and former Marquette Electrician and MSHS player

Anthony Hayes - 6’0” 175 lbs. - Forward - Victory Honda Midget AAA - 1/14/89
Native of Canton, Michigan

Scott Mathis - 5’11” 175 lbs. - Defenseman - Team Illinois Midget AAA - 4/21/88
Native of Crystal Lake, Illinois

Alex Valenti – 5’10” 175 lbs. - Forward - Whatcom Warriors (Washington) Midget A - 8/29/89
Native of Bellingham, Washington

TENDERED PLAYERS; FORWARDS

Nic Weight - 6’1” 205 lbs., Eagle River, WI - Northland Pines (WI) HS - 12/30/87
21GP 24G 19A 43PTS

Weight is a power forward with good scoring touch around the net. Nic has the ability to make a clever play and set up teammates effectively. He is a two-time, All-State Selection.

Paul Isleib - 5’11” 180 lbs., Batavia, IL - Marquette Electricians Midget AAA - 6/26/87
62GP 31G 36A 67PTS 146PIM

Isleib is hard working, hard to play against and has a good skill package. His versatility will be helpful on the Rangers’ special teams.

Michael Macari - 6’ 200 lbs., Dearborn Heights, MI - Crestwood (MI) HS - 10/13/87
18GP 28G 23A 51PTS 28PIM

Macari is a smooth skater who has a shooter’s mentality. He has the ability to score goals off the rush, on the power play and in front of the net.

Jake Hauswirth - 6’4” 195 lbs., Merrill, WI - Ojibwa Eagles Midget AAA - 2/16/88
56GP 34G 20A 54PTS 40PIM

Hauswirth is a skilled puck-possession player. Has the ability to control the play, and uses his size effectively to create offense.

Dustin Partacz - 5’11” 170 lbs., Naperville, IL - Neuqua Valley (IL) HS - 7/30/88
26GP 21G 41A 62PTS 11PIM

Partacz is a hard working two-way player with a good skill package and a competitive edge. Dustin will be a key on Rangers’ special teams.

Michael Baker - 6’0” 175 lbs., Brainerd, MN - Brainerd (MN) HS - 11/3/87
Stats N/A

Baker is an excellent defensive forward, with skills to produce offensively. Work ethics and character are his trademarks.

Cole Holmes - 5’10” 175 lbs., Mequon, WI - University School (WI) HS - 3/18/88
26GP 42G 52A 94PTS 10PIM

Holmes is an offensive threat each time he has the puck in the offensive zone, with very good offensive instincts and skill. He competes well and is dependable in his own end. He is a first-team, All-State Selection.

Raymond Gillies, Jr. - 5’7” 150 lbs., Springboro, OH - Columbus (OH) Midget AAA - 5/10/87
62GP 25G 37A 62PTS 150PIM

Gillies is a relentless worker who has very good hockey sense and great speed. He will be a key to the Rangers’ special teams.

TENDERED PLAYERS; DEFENSEMEN

Matt Celin - 6’0 190 lbs., Gibsonia, PA - Pittsburgh (PA) Hornets Midget AAA - 8/12/87
Stats N/A

Celin is a solid two-way defenseman with solid puck skills. Celin will add stability and depth at both ends of the ice.

Zachery Juliano - 5’11” 185 lbs., Cape Elizabeth, ME - Cape Elizabeth (ME) HS - 6/19/88
28GP 15G 17A 32PTS 28PIM

Juliano has the ability to be effective at both ends of the ice with his puck skills, skating and intelligence.

Brandon Busse - 6’2” 205 lbs., Stevens Point, WI - Stevens Point (WI) HS - 6/29/88
26GP 15G 15A 30PTS 30 PIM

Busse is a very effective defender, using both his size and skating ability. Brandon will be a very dependable defenseman in his end. He is a two-time, first-team, All-State Selection.

Jason Cohen - 6’0” 185 lbs., Anchorage, AK - Capital Centre Pride (MI) Midget AAA - 10/22/88
57GP 13G 19A 32PTS 73PIM

Cohen has very strong skating and puck skills and a very competitive edge to him. He will be a key on special teams.