Muskegon selects six in Futures Draft

The Muskegon Lumberjacks added more depth to their talent pool on Tuesday at the USHL Futures Draft.

The Futures Draft is a draft of younger players (1994 birthdates) who may not be quite ready to play at the USHL level. Teams retain the players’ rights for three years.

The Lumberjacks drafted six players on Tuesday: Garret Cockerill, Joseph Cox, Joshua Henke, Grant Besse, Michael McNicholas and Christopher Leibinger.

Muskegon had the second pick overall and took Cockerill, a 5-foot-11, 170-pound defenseman from Brighton. Cockerill played for Compuware Midget Minor last season.

In the second round, Muskegon drafted Cox out of Chelsea. Cox is a 5-foot-10, 158-pound forward. He played for Compuware Midget Minor in 2009-2010 along with Cockerill.

For the third round, the Lumberjacks picked Henke from Trenton. Henke, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound center, spent last season playing for Belle Tire Midget Minor.

Muskegon’s fourth round pick was Besse, one of two players drafted by the 'Jacks from out of Michigan. Besse is a native of Plymouth, Minn. The 5-foot-10, 150-pound forward played for Benidle St. Margaret High School last season.

In the fifth round, Muskegon drafted McNicholas, from El Segundo, Calif. McNicholas is a 5-foot-9, 150-pound center from the Los Angeles Selects Midget Minor.

The Jacks final pick at the Futures Draft was Leibinger, a 5-foot-9, 170-pound defenseman who played last season for Saginaw Heritage High School.