'Jacks nab 'players from great programs'

The Muskegon Lumberjacks’ 2012-13 season has officially begun, as they added six talented 1996-born hockey players to their affiliate list in the USHL Futures Draft Tuesday night.

“We love great players from great programs and that’s what we have in this draft,” said Lumberjacks owner/GM Josh Mervis. “In addition to that excitement, we have an outstanding hockey operations staff and it’s phenomenal to see all their work pay off. These guys did a lot to get ready.”

With the 10th overall pick in the draft, the Lumberjacks selected Dylan Malmquist (pictured), a right winger from Edina (Minn.) High School. As a freshman for the Hornets, the 5-foot-10 Malmquist put up 49 points (23g, 26a) in 30 games.

According to Jacks scout Chris "Frenchy" LaCombe, Malmquist is "a highly-skilled forward, the best forward in Minnesota in our opinion. His best attribute is his playmaking. He makes other players better."

The Jacks took Shattuck-St. Mary's freshman center (and fellow Edina native) Chase Phelps with their second round selection, No. 21 overall. Phelps stands at 5-foot-11 and brings a strong skating stride to the rink, plus a defensive conscience in addition to his skill.

"Chase brings a good edge to his game," LaCombe said. "He gets up and down the rink, plays hard and is a great two-way player."

Boston Jr. Bruins forward Conor Garland was the choice in the third round. The prolific Scituate, Mass., product netted a stunning 42 goals in 40 games against Tier III competition in the Empire Junior Hockey League.

"Conor is a shifty, smart, heady player who can score in bunches," said Lumberjacks assistant coach Steve Palmer. "When he gets the puck around the net, it's going in."

Muskegon went north of the border in the fourth round, nabbing Team Ulysse defenseman Raphael Maheux from Quebec. At 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, Maheux is versatile and already very well-developed and strong.

"He is a talented defenseman with great size," said LaCombe. "He can play in all situations and we're thrilled he was still on the board."

The Jacks stayed on the blueline in the fifth round, when they called Tristan Rostagno’s name at No. 70 overall. Already 6-foot-1, Rostagno laced them up for Arrowhead (Wisc.) High School, bringing his physical brand of hockey to the Warhawks.

Muskegon assistant coach Dave Noel-Bernier called Tristan "big, tough and mean. He can intimidate with his style of play."

And finally, in the sixth round, Muskegon selected John Peterson of Holy Family Catholic in the Minneapolis area. The 5-foot-9 forward racked up a remarkable 63 points (22g, 41a) in just 26 games.

 "John is a quick, high producing offensive forward," LaCombe said. "He also brings a good amount of 'jam' to the table."

Every one of the 78 players selected in the Futures Draft is automatically placed on the affiliate list of the USHL team that selected him. The club retains the draftee’s rights for three years and can add the player to its active roster at any point during the season. In general, players selected in the USHL Futures Draft have not reached the level to play in the USHL for the next season.

This season, 42 players selected in 2011 USHL Futures Draft took the ice for at least one USHL game.