NAPHL alumni predominant on NAHL Top Prospects rosters

February 13, 2018

In another example of the ladder of development, the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) is pleased to announce that 21 former players were named to the 2018 North American Hockey League (NAHL) Top Prospects Tournament rosters, which were announced by the league on Monday.

 

The NAHL Top Prospects Tournament, which will take place from February 27-28 at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan, is one of the most highly-scouted events in junior hockey.  Last season, over 230 scouts attended the event, which featured almost every NHL team and NCAA Division I school. It continues to be an important part of the NAHL event model, which includes the NAHL Showcase in September and the NAHL Robertson Cup National Championship in May.

 

“21 NAPHL alumni is an incredible number and a testament to the mission of developmental process of the NAPHL,” said NAPHL Director Tony Zasowski. “The NAPHL alumni on the rosters, when they played in the NAPHL, and the NAPHL team they played for, has a wide variety of talent, which tells us that these players are developing at different stages of their careers and that the NAPHL remains a major recruiting ground for the NAHL.”

 

Josh Boyer, F, Brookings Blizzard (CarShield, 2015-17)

Connor Chilton, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs (California Titans, 2012-16)

James Crossman, D, Odessa Jackalopes (Rocky Mountain RoughRiders, 2015-16)

Adrian Danchenko, F, WBS Knights (WBS Knights, 2015-16)

Jordan Fader, F, Shreveport Mudbugs (Omaha/Madison, 2014-16)

Ryan Fanti, G, Minnesota Wilderness (Thunder Bay Kings, 2015-17)

Colton Fletcher, F, Aberdeen Wings (Omaha, 2013-15)

Brendon Gysbers, D, Shreveport Mudbugs (Omaha/Madison, 2014-16)

Caleb Hite, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs (Meijer AAA, 2014-16)

Matt Kidney, F, WBS Knights (New Jersey Jr. Titans, 2012-14)

Daniel Lebedeff, G, Janesville Jets (Madison Capitols, 2015-16)

Kyle Mayhew, D, Fairbanks Ice Dogs (Anaheim Jr. Ducks, 2014-15)

Chase Mickelson, D, Springfield Jr. Blues (Madison Capitols, 2014-16)

Mike Morrissey, F, WBS Knights (WBS Knights, 2015-16)

Zach Noble, F, Aberdeen Wings (New Jersey Jr. Titans, 2014-16)

Marshal Plunkett, D, Coulee Region Chill (Madison Capitols, 2014-15)

Sam Renlund, F, Janesville Jets (Omaha, 2015-17)

Alec Semandel, D, Janesville Jets (Madison Capitols, 2015-16)

Dallas Tulik, F, Topeka RoadRunners (Meijer AAA, 2013-15)

Andy Willis, F, Austin Bruins (CarShield AAA, 2014-17)

Dante Zapata, D, Austin Bruins (Arizona Bobcats, 2015-16)

 

With over 30 NAPHL players tendered to date set to play in the NAHL for the 2018-19 season, the NAPHL continues it’s mission of redefining exposure for its players and teams. The NAPHL has enjoyed a record-breaking amount of advancement in recent seasons, which is highlighted by a large amount of advancement of players to the NAHL. No other USA Hockey Midget Tier I league has had more players play in the NAHL over the course of the last two seasons than the NAPHL.

 

Founded in 2009, the NAPHL is the premier training ground for development, exposure, and opportunity. The success of teams on the National stage, as well as the success of NAPHL alumni at the next levels of hockey, is further proof that the NAPHL is redefining exposure and has become the marquee place to play for elite level players, ages 15-18.