Men's Ice Hockey 5/2/2023 7:13:00 PM Chicago Steel

STEEL SELECT TEN PLAYERS IN PHASE I OF USHL DRAFT

GENEVA, ILLINOIS — The Chicago Steel completed Phase I of the 2023 USHL Draft on Tuesday, selecting a dynamic group of ten players from the 2007 birth year.

The additions join forward Lukas Sawchyn who signed a tender agreement with the Steel on April 24 ahead of the Phase I portion of the draft. Chicago's selections began in the first round, thanks to a pick acquired in a trade with the Omaha Lancers last season.

With the second overall pick in the draft, acquired in a prior trade with the Omaha Lancers, the Steel selected forward Ryder Betzold from Farmington, Minn. who tallied 33 points (20G, 13A) in 27 games in his first season for Gentry Academy.

Forward Teddy Mutryn, a Norwell, Mass. native, was the next selection for the Steel (Round 2, #22 Overall). In his first season with St. Sebastian's School, Mutryn recorded 24 points (5G, 19A) in 24 games.

Caden Campion, a defenseman from St. Paul, Minn., was grabbed next by the Steel (Round 2, #29 Overall). In 74 games with the Los Angeles Jr. Kings 15U AAA, Campion registered 46 points (15G, 31A).

Blake Vanek, a Stillwater, Minn. native and son of former NHL player Thomas Vanek, was chosen in Round 3 at #44 Overall. In 25 games played for Stillwater High School, the forward notched 20 points (8G, 12A).

With the very next pick, the Steel drafted Shayne Gould (Round 3, #45 Overall) from Princeton, Mass. The defenseman registered 16 points (16A) in 39 games for Bishop Kearney Selects 15U AAA.

With their third pick in Round 3, #52 Overall, the Steel selected Quinn McKenzie from Cranberry Township, Penn. Playing in 66 games for Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 15U AAA, the forward notched 70 points (34G, 36A).

Ethan Wyttenbach, a Roslyn, NY native, was the Steel's next pick (Round 5, #62 Overall). The forward tallied 11 points (8G, 3A) in 12 games played for the Long Island Gulls 16U AAA.

For their Round 5, #74 Overall pick, the Steel selected forward Henry Major, brother of Steel forward Charlie Major. Major, from Skaneateles, NY, notched 93 points (38G, 55A) in 40 games for Rochester Coalition 15U AAA.

The Steel secured a local product in the sixth round. Jake Hutchen, a Winnetka, Ill. native, was selected by the at #89 Overall. The right-wing recorded 17 points (5G, 12A) in 15 games for Chicago Mission 15U AAA.

With their final pick of Phase I, the Steel selected goalie Welsey Jefferson-Swint II (Round 9, #134 Overall). The Walled Lake, Mich. native recorded seven shutouts, 23 wins, a GAA of 1.53, and SV% of .914 in 32 games for Victory Honda 15U AAA.

"We're thrilled with the ten players we drafted today," said Steel Head Coach and General Manager Mike Garman. "There's a great combination of skill and competitiveness in the seven forwards and two defense. Swint is a highly talented young goalie with a great work ethic. We'll be looking forward to welcoming these great players to the Steel and seeing them in a Steel jersey soon."

The draft will continue with Phase II tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. CT. Phase II is open to players of all ages who are eligible to play junior hockey and are not currently on one of the protected USHL rosters. The Phase II Draft continues until all member clubs have filled their Initial Protected List to a total of 45 players, including those who were previously protected from the team's affiliate list.

The Steel will begin the Eastern Conference Final this Friday, hosting the Youngstown Phantoms in Game 1 of the best-of-five series. Game 2 is scheduled for Saturday night at Fox Valley Ice Arena.

Eastern Conference Final tickets are now on sale and may be purchased at the Steel Box Office at Fox Valley Ice Arena, by phone at 855-51-STEEL or online at ChicagoSteelHockeyteam.com. Fans with questions should email info@ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com to learn more.

All Chicago Steel tickets are digital and available on mobile devices. Fans should create their profile online by clicking here. For more information on digital tickets for the Chicago Steel, click here. Fans attending Steel home games this season are encouraged to purchase tickets prior to arriving at the arena to avoid any delays on game night.

Season ticket plans for the 2023-2024 season are now on sale starting at just 5 games for just $50.

Upcoming Schedule presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:
Eastern Conference Final – Best-of-Five
#1 Steel vs. #2 Youngstown
Game 1: YNG at Steel - Friday, May 5, 7:05 pm at Fox Valley Ice Arena
Game 2: YNG at Steel - Saturday, May 6, 7:05 pm at Fox Valley Ice Arena
Game 3: Steel at YNG - Monday, May 8 at 6:05 pm at Covelli Centre
Game 4 (if necessary): Steel at YNG - Tuesday, May 9 at 6:05 pm at Covelli Centre
Game 5 (if necessary): YNG at Steel - Thursday, May 11, 7:05 pm at Fox Valley Ice Arena
All times CST

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