Alexandria, MN (May. 9, 2023)
For more information, contact: Johnny Van Atta, Director of Hockey Operations (615) 830-1113, [email protected]
Last week, the Northstar Knights saw 1 alumni, and 6 current players drafted in the 2023 USHL draft. The USHL Draft takes place during the first week of May each year and is completed in two “Phases”. Phase I of the Draft is ten rounds of “Futures” age players only, which are U-17 players for next year’s season (2007 birth year players only for the 2023 Draft). Phase II of the Draft will take place the following day beginning with round one. This draft is open to players of all ages eligible to play junior hockey and are not currently protected by another USHL team.
The Knights saw their first 2 players selected in Phase I of the draft. Brady Krey was selected in the 5th round, 73rd overall by the Omaha Lancers. In 12 games played this season, Krey was outstanding in net posting 2.25 GAA and a .909 SV% to go along with a record of 8-3-0 and 2 shutouts.
Bode Laylin came off the board shortly after as he was selected in the 6th round 79th overall by the Tri City Storm. Laylin was banged up for most of the season but when he was on the ice, he showed he can be a dominant player for years to come. In 38 games played, he scored 21 points (2G, 19A) and his 0.55 points-per-game ranked 2nd on the Knights defensemen. He was also one of 2 players on the team to not take a penalty all season alongside Conor Watson.
In the Phase II draft, Caleb Elfering was the first Knight to be drafted as he was selected in the 10th round, 143 overall by the Green Bay Gamblers. Last season, Elfering scored 62 points (22G, 40A) in 56 games played and was the leading scorer of players returning this season. His production grew this season as Elfering led the team in points with 72 (33G, 39A) in 52 games played. He also played in 3 games this season with the Wenatchee Wild in the BCHL where he scored 1 goal.
Joe Stauber was one of 3 Knights drafted by the Sioux City Musketeers as he was selected in the 12th round, 174 overall. Stauber came to Northstar this year after he played for Duluth-Marshall High School in Duluth, MN where he scored 19 points (6G, 13A) in 20 games. This season, Stauber was a welcomed physical presence to the Knights blueline where he also chipped in with 29 points (9G, 22A) in 52 games played.
Kade Peterson was selected in the 13th round, 198 overall by the Fargo Force. Peterson played for the Knights from 2019-2021 where he scored 58 points (25G, 33A) in 95 games played. Following his time at Northstar, Peterson played with the St. Cloud Norsemen of the NAHL from 2021-2023 where he totaled 81 points (39G, 42A) in 117 games played. He will look to join fellow Knights Alumni, Jakob Stender, Jacob Napier and Anthony Menghini to suit up for the Force.
Jake Spraetz was selected in the 14th round, 204 overall by the Sioux City Musketeers. Spraetz joined the 16U Knights this season from the Arizona Jr. Sun Devils and his speed on the ice would terrorize opposing defenseman. In 46 games played Spraetz scored 40 points (19G, 21A) and was also a threat on the penalty kill by leading the team with 7 points (2G, 5A).
Brayden Berg, a local Alexandria, MN native was the final Knight drafted as he was selected in the 12th round, 174 overall by the Sioux City Musketeers. Last season for the 16U Knights, Berg led the team in points with 53 (30G, 23A) in 43 games played. This season for the 18U Knights, Berg put up 40 points (16G, 24 A) in 51 games played.
The Northstar Knights are proud of all the hard work these boys have put in this season and look forward to the impact these players will have on their junior teams and beyond!