FROM THE EDITOR: Junior drafts highlight state’s promising future


W


ith four Colorado Thunderbirds selected in the United States Hockey League (USHL)


Futures Draft earlier this month and four more picked in the Western Hockey League (WHL) Ban- tam Draft, it’s no secret the program has estab- lished itself as one of North America’s finest when it comes to developing future junior, college and professional talent. It’s a testament not only to the efforts of hockey


Matt Mackinder


director Angelo Ricci and the rest of the Thun- derbirds staff, but also the strength of Colorado’s budding talent across the board. “It speaks volumes about the development and hard work by all of the programs, coaches and play-


ers,” said Ricci. “The whole western region of the U.S. no longer has to take a back seat to the traditional hockey markets.” The USHL is considered the country’s top junior circuit with countless


graduates skating in the Division I college ranks through the NHL. The Major Junior WHL is another top producer of NHL talent. “Every player has their own path and these two leagues are both great ve-


hicles for players to develop and advance their careers,” Ricci added. The USHL Entry Draft will be held on May 22, while the Tier II Junior A


North American Hockey League (NAHL) will hold its Entry Draft on May 31. Expect plenty more Colorado players to hear their names called on those


two days. Former T-Bird Scott Eansor was also chosen in the USHL Futures Draft;


the Omaha Lancers selected him with the first pick in the third round (31st overall). Eansor, a forward who skated this season with Indiana’s Culver Military


Academy, played for the Thunderbirds his Pee Wee year and two seasons of Bantams. In addition, the Fargo Force selected forward Mason Morelli, a Minot,


N.D., native who played a handful of games for the Colorado Rampage this year, third overall. Last month, Rocky Mountain RoughRiders 15U AAA goaltenderMarc Au-


det, from North Bay, Ontario, was selected in Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Draft by the Sarnia Sting (15th round).


Speaking of Thunderbird graduates, goaltender Robert Nichols, who


stopped pucks for Colorado from 2009-11, has committed to the University of Connecticut (Atlantic Hockey) for the 2013-14 season. In 34 regular-season appearances for the NAHL’s Wenatchee (Wash.) Wild,


Nichols, from Texas, fashioned a 24-6-4 record, including a league-leading 10 shutouts, to go along with both a league-best 1.49 goals-against average and .938 save percentage. Nichols, 19, was named NAHL co-Goaltender of the Year and co-Rookie of


the Year earlier this month, in addition to being recognized on the All-Rookie Second Team and All-West Division Team. Former Rampage defensemanSean O’Roarke, from California, was named


to the All-NAHL Team and to the All-West Division Team. A Ferris State re- cruit, O’Roarke just wrapped up his third season with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs.


Congrats to former Rampage goaltenderMatt LaPrade, who has commit-


ted to the University of Minnesota (WCHA) for the coming fall. LaPrade, from Minnesota, started the season with Massachusetts’ Bay State


Breakers of the Eastern Junior Hockey League before joining the NAHL’s Cor- pus Christi Ice Rays. “It’s a dream come true to be a part of such a great program and to have the


privilege to wear maroon and gold,” said LaPrade. The Minnesota native played the 2010-11 season with the Rampage. “We’re thrilled for Matt and his family and this wonderful opportunity he


has in front of him,” said Rampage director Andrew Sherman. Contact Matt Mackinder at matt@rubberhockey.com


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Jenna Kosley left, and Lanie Matsumoto had plenty to cel- ebrate this season as members of the Colorado Tigers Elite Prep girls 19U AA team. See more on the budding program and its success on Page 11. Photo/YSPN.com


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EYE OF THE TIGERS


Forward Jack Atteridg, who served as captain of the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders’ 14U AAA team this past season Photo/YSPN.com


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