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Eight current, former Wisconsin HS stars chosen in USHL Draft

By Michael Trzinski, WiPH Staff, 05/06/15, 5:45PM CDT

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Mick Messner, Brock Caufield picked in Phase I portion

Earlier this week, the United States Hockey League held its Phase I and Phase II draft segments.

Phase One consisted of ten rounds as the USHL teams selected players from the 1999 birth year on Monday.

A pair of Wisconsin high school stars were picked in that segment of the draft as forwards Mick Messner (Madison West) and Brock Caufield (SPASH) were grabbed by the Madison Capitols and the Green Bay Gamblers, respectively.

Messner was the number five pick in the first round while Caufield was tabbed ten picks later.

The Phase Two portion took place on Tuesday.

This phase was a multi-age group draft as teams could select players anywhere between the 1995 and 1999 birth years and look to fill their protected lists with players who will compete for roster spots for the 2015-16 season. 

The number of rounds in Phase Two was not pre-determined.  It continued until all drafting USHL teams had secured 45 players on their Initial Protected List.  That list included affiliate players from the 2014-15 season, players selected in Phase One, and players signed to a tender.

Phase Two saw former Notre Dame forward Brett Gruber get chosen by the Gamblers as the second overall pick.

In the fourth round, former Arrowhead defenseman Tristan Rostagno was taken by Sioux Falls as the 53rd overall selectioin.

Three rounds later (108th overall), former Superior forward Aaron Miller was snagged by Sioux Falls.

The only Wisconsin goalie went in the 9th round, as ex-Ashwaubenon netminder Ryan Wischow was picked by Green Bay as the 133rd overall selection.

Another Wisconsin talent was chosen in the 11th round (169th overall) as Waterloo picked forward Phil Erickson, late of Regis/McDonell.

And last but not least, former Homestead defenseman Brady Bjork was picked in the 16th round (248th overall) by the Capitols.