MUSKEGON, MI – Friday morning NHL Central Scouting released its mid-season rankings report for the 2024 NHL draft. Among the 224 North American skaters and 32 goalies, 10 players with ties to the Muskegon Lumberjacks were given rankings.
#17 – Sacha Boisvert, 2006, Trois-Rivieres, QC, CAN
Boisvert's name has been associated with this draft for some time now, and he is proving why with stellar play for the Jacks. A point per game producer this season Boisvert has been a leader both on and off the ice in Muskegon with an "A" on his chest.
#30 – Matvei Gridin, 2006, Kurgan, RUS
There is no player in the USHL that saw their draft stock rise as much as Gridin did during the first half of the season. Starting with a 4 point performance in the first game of the season Gridin has been a consistent presence among the top of the league in goals and total points. Currently, Gridin is the Jack's leader in points with 34 in 31 games played.
#74 – Xavier Veilleux, 2006, L'Anncienne-Lorrette, QC, CAN
While he isn't the flashiest player in the draft Veilleux might be the most trustworthy. Always seeming to make the right play Veilleux is second on the Lumberjacks with a +15 rating while also mixing in 2 goals and 12 assists for 14 points on the blue line.
#112 – Jimmy Dodig
A 2023 Phase I draft pick of the Lumberjacks, Dodig is a defenseman at Cretin-Derham Hall in Minnesota. At 6'5, 205 pounds Dodig commands the defensive zone, but also knows how to contribute on the other end of the ice. In 11 games this season Dodig has 10 points on a pair of goals and 8 assists.
#131 – Joe Connor
Connor has been a nightmare for opposing defenseman to deal with this season. With a very active stick Connor excels at creating turnovers all over the ice and finding teammates in open areas. A lethal play maker Connor has the ability to make everyone around him a threat to score.
#150 – Matthew Van Blaricom
The second of three affiliate players for the Lumberjacks to be ranked by Central Scouting Van Blaricom is currently playing with the Humboldt Broncos of the SJHL. With 39 points in 25 games played Van Blaricom also won a gold medal at the 2023 World Junior A Challenge with Canada West.
#151 – Chase Stefanek
The final affiliate player for the Lumberjacks ranked, Stefanek is also playing in Canada with the Trail Smoke Eaters of the BCHL. Through 31 games played Stefanek has 16 points in 31 games played. Stefanek is committed to play college hockey at Harvard.
#204 – Bauer Berry
A strong presence on the back end for the Lumberjacks Berry stands 6'4, 198 pounds. Thriving in the defensive zone Berry is a frequent flyer on the penalty kill and excels at filling shooting lanes. In 28 games the defenseman has 7 points in 28 games this season.
#217 – Jack Galanek
Drawing professional comparisons to players like Jonathan Toews, Galanek has adopted the role of being a full 200-foot player with a strong presence in the middle of the ice. After spending the last few years at Shattuck St. Mary's Galanek has 17 points through the first 26 games in his USHL rookie season.
G#19 – Stephen Peck
The only goalie from the Lumberjacks to be ranked Peck is an affiliate playing in Bismark of the NAHL. Peck appeared in a game with the Jacks earlier this season where he collected his first career USHL win by making 27 saves on 30 shots on November, 25
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You can catch the Lumberjacks in action tonight at Trinity Health Arena as they take on the Fargo Force at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at muskegonlumberjacks.com or at the Box Office inside the VanDyke Mortgage Convention Center.
