Four Thunderbirds picked in USHL Futures Draft T
By Matt Mackinder
he Colorado Thunderbirds continued their tra- dition of developmental excellence on May 1 as
four current players from the organization were se- lected in the United States Hockey League (USHL) Futures Draft. The 78 players selected during the proceed-
ings, which was exclusively for 1996-born players, were automatically placed on the affiliate list of the USHL team that selected them. 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 haven’t reached the level to compete in the USHL for next season. Two players from the Thunderbirds’ 16U AAA
team were drafted in the first round as forward Dylan Gambrell and defenseman Brandon Car- lo were taken with consecutive picks; Gambrell at No. 11 by the Dubuque Fighting Saints and Carlo one pick later by the Youngstown Phantoms. “The Thunderbirds organization is not only about
helping young hockey players develop and advance their careers, but also developing high character in- dividuals such as Dylan and Brandon,” said Thun- derbirds director of hockey operations and 16U head coach Angelo Ricci. Gambrell, already with a scholarship to the Uni-
versity of Denver secured for 2015 when the Pio- neers will play in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, said draft day couldn’t have gone any better. “I was definitely very excited when I heard I
went in the first round and very happy that Dubuque picked me,” said Gambrell, who moved to Colorado last year from Seattle to play for the Thunderbirds. “I think I’m definitely capa- ble of playing for Dubuque next year and I hope I do.” Ricci calls Gambrell “a
special player.” “Dylan was an extreme-
ly pleasant surprise for our program coming from Washington,” said Ricci, who noted that Gambrell lived with the Carlo fam- ily this year. “He’s a very skilled, smart and driven young man who continues to get better. He’s a player you can count on to play in any and all situations. “Dubuque, when Dylan
drafted in the first round and, when I got the call, I couldn’t help but smile,” said Carlo. “I feel like I could probably hold my own in the USHL, but as of right now I’m going to go wherever I feel I’m going to develop the most because I know I still have a lot to work on.” “There are few 96 defen-
semen in the country that have more upside and poten- tial than Brandon,” beamed Ricci. “Youngstown landed a young man who has the chance to play at the high- est levels this game offers. “One of my favorite
Thunderbirds 16U defenseman Brandon Carlo, pictured, and forward Dylan Gambrell were selected back-to-back
in the first round of this month’s USHL Futures Draft. Photo/
YSPN.com
is ready to make the jump to the USHL, will be get- ting a terrific person, both on and off the ice, and when the time is right, DU will be very fortunate to have a wonderful student-athlete.” Carlo, who like Gambrell was invited to the 40-
man tryout for the U.S. National Team Develop- ment Program in Ann Arbor, Mich., in March, had no idea he was first-round material, but knows now his talent has been noticed. “I was very excited and very surprised to get
things about Brandon is his personality and quick wit. He has future captain ma- terial written all over him. He’s such a strong leader
with the way he prepares, can manage a locker room and also take charge when needed.” Brendan Smith, a defenseman on the Thun-
derbirds’ 16U team, was taken in the fifth round (68th overall) by the Des Moines Buccaneers, while 15U forward Fredrik Olofsson was also tabbed in the fifth round (74th overall) by the Green Bay Gamblers. For more information on the USHL Futures Draft, visit
USHL.com.
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