Maine Hockey Journal

Several UMaine recruits selected in USHL draft

The United States Hockey League (USHL) held its annual Phase II Draft on Tuesday as three future University of Maine Black Bears heard their name called.

It was a light day for future recruits of the Black Bears program on Tuesday compared to last year’s USHL draft where eight Black Bear recruits were drafted during the Phase II draft.

It’s not unusual for teams to take chances in later rounds on kids heading to college hockey just in case if they leave school during the season.

The Muskegon Lumberjacks selected incoming goalie freshman Tyler Johnson in the 20th round of the draft. The 18-year old posted a 20-13-2 regular season record with a 2.56 goals-against-average and .906 save percentage for the Topeka Roadrunners of the North American Hockey League. On Monday, he made 37 saves in a 2-1 double overtime loss against the Wichita Falls Wildcats as their season ended in the Divisional Final.

He’s scheduled to come to Maine in the fall but will likely sit out the season as he played one game in the OHL in 2014-15. However, Maine and his representatives are appealing to the NCAA for reduction to his suspension.

Johnson was recently ranked 18th among North American goalies by NHL Central Scouting for the upcoming NHL Draft in June.

One of Maine’s newest recruits, Eduards Tralmaks, was first to be selected in the USHL draft as he was taken in the third round by the Chicago Steel.

Tralmaks, 18, had 28 goals and 27 assists with the Boston Bandits and was named the Eastern Hockey League’s MVP. He is slated to join Maine in the fall of 2017.

Cedric Schiemenz would hear his name called by the Fargo Force in the 19th round. The 17-year-old German forward had 30 goals and 24 assists with the EC Salzburg U18 team. He would record two assists with the U20 team.

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