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Seven Wisconsin players taken in USHL Draft

By MJ Hammett, 05/22/12, 10:48PM CDT

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NDA's Nell selected 6th overall

The USHL Entry Draft was held Tuesday and a few Wisconsin kids were among the players taken in the draft.

Taken in the first round, with the 6th overall pick, was Green Bay Notre Dame Academy goaltender Chris Nell. The Chicago Steel chose the 6-3, 161 pounder, who was the first netminder taken. Nell led the Tritons to the 2012 state title with save percentage of .918 and a GAA of 1.66.

The next Badger State skater was taken in the 6th round with the 85th pick overall. Defenseman Alec Vanko of Oregon was taken by the Waterloo Blackhawks. The 6-2, 185 pounder scored 21 goals and 17 assists and was a plus 17 for the Panthers.

Round 7 was where a former Player of The Year finalist from 2011 was chosen. Center Evan Janssen, who played for GBU, and last season in the NAHL with the Alaska Avalanche was taken with the 101st pick. Janssen enjoyed a great season with 23 goals and 25 assists for 48 points, with a plus 9. He also played in 59 regular season games and amassed a very low eight minutes in penalties.

Round 8 and the 106th pick, the Dubuque Fighting Saints took First Team All-State and Player of The Year finalist Jason Ford of Waunakee. Ford had a monster season, scoring 45 goals and 43 assists for 88 points, leading the State in scoring.

Also chosen was Drew Grillo-Callin of Middleton, who was tabbed in the 14th round. He played Major Midget hockey with the Milwaukee Jr. Admirals. Grillo-Callin had 24 goals and 17 assists and was an invite to the USA Hockey National Camp in the Central District.

Also selected were Mitchell DeMario and Anders Bjork.

DeMario--from Franklin--is a 6-0, 175 pound defenseman who played for the Junior Admirals. He is a 94 birth year player. He was picked in the 15th round (220th overall) by Waterloo.

Bjork is from Mequon but played with the Chicago Mission Minor Midget team last season. The 96 birth year player was selected by Green Bay in Round 16 (240th overall). He is a 5-11, 156 pound forward.


Jason Ford, Waunakee


Alec Vanko, Oregon


Evan Janssen, Green Bay United