The United State Hockey League (USHL) kicks off the 2013 draft today. The League’s 15-teams are looking for the next wave of talent to fill rosters for the 2013-14 season and beyond. The 16th team in the league, the U.S. National Development Program (Team USA), doesn’t participate in the league’s draft process.
Phase 1 of the draft starts later today, an 8-round process that allows teams to select players from the 1997 birth year. It’s a process that has teams drafting players who are traditionally not ready to play in the USHL the following season, but will continue to develop at lower levels of hockey in preparation for USHL play in future seasons.
Phase 2 of the draft is tomorrow (Tuesday) and consists of players from multiple birth years as USHL teams look to fill their protected lists with players who will compete for roster spots next season.
Phase 2 will continue until all USHL teams have 45 players on their Initial Protected List. That list includes affiliate players from the 2012-13 season and players selected in Phase 1 of the 2013 USHL Draft.
