** information provided by the Sioux Falls Stampede

Sioux Falls, SD—The Sioux Falls Stampede selected 10 players during the 2016 USHL Phase I Draft on Monday night. The draft included only players with a 2000 birth year. Sioux Falls had two first round picks in the draft. The first overall selection thanks to a trade with Sioux City prior to the 2015-16 season. Sioux Falls had already used their first round pick (9th overall) when they signed Luverne forward Jaxon Nelson to a tender in March. Here is a look at each of the Stampede’s selections.

With the first overall selection in the 2016 USHL Phase I Draft, the Herd took forward Gavin Hain from Grand Rapids High School in Minnesota. The sophomore posted 29 points (12g, 17a,) in 25 games with the Grand Rapids High School Thunderhawks this past season.  Hain brings good size to the Stampede organization at 5-foot-11, 181-pounds at just 16-years-old. He exploded in the section playoffs for Grand Rapids, recording 11 points (5g, 6a) in just three games while leading the Thunderhawks to State AA Tournament where they captured a third place title.

In the second round, Sioux Falls selected forward Matt Gould from the Boston Jr. Bruins. The left winger recorded six points (1g, 5a) in 12 games with Jr. Bruins this year. Prior to his time with the Bruins, the 15-year-old tallied 13 points (6g, 7a) in 22 games with the Bay State Breakers 18U team this year. A native of Weymouth, MA, Gould spent the 2014-15 season skating with the Boston Jr. Bandits 14U squad.

In round three, Sioux Falls went defensive and grabbed de-man, John Murray. Murray spent this past year with Noble & Greenough in Dedham, MA where he posted 16 points (3g, 13a) in 28 games as a freshman. The Dorchester, MA native stands at 5-foot-10, 170-pounds.

With their fourth round selection, the Stampede went with defenseman James Mac Wiseman of the Skipjacks Hockey Club in Maryland. The 5-foot-9, 163-pound blue liner recorded 23 points (10g, 13a) in just 26 games with the 16U club. He also appeared in five regular season games and one playoff game with the 18U team. The Haymarket, VA native played with the Richmond Generals 16U team in 2014-15. He has already committed to play college hockey at the University of Connecticut.

In the fifth round, Sioux Falls stayed on the defensive side, selecting right defenseman Mike Vorlicky of Edina, MN. He spent this past season with Edina Bantam AA and is likely to skate again in Edina for the upcoming season.

The Stampede went with forward Riley Hughes in the sixth round. The right-winger skated in five games for Team Kelly at the USA-S15 tournament, recording one goal. At 6-foot-1, 150-pounds, the Westwood, MA will bring some good size up front to the Stampede.

In round seven, Sioux Falls went back to Minnesota where they took left-winger Brehdan Engum of Burnsville. The 6-foot, 174-pound forward appeared in 24 games for the Blaze this past season, tallying seven points on two goals and five assists. He helped lead Burnsville to the Minnesota State High School Hockey AA Tournament in St. Paul.

With their eighth selection of the Phase I Draft, the Stampede selected forward Jack Bayless of Minnetonka, Minnesota. The 5-foot-8, 146-pounder was a finalist for the Minnesota Bantam Player of the Year by Youth Hockey Hub after helping lead the Skippers to a Bantam AA state championship.

Sioux Falls stayed on the offensive side with their ninth round selection, going with center Kyler Grundy of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. The recently turned 16-year-old spent this past season skating with the Milwaukee Jr. Admirals U16 where he tallied 19 points (9g, 10a) in 30 games. He went on to post two points (1g, 1a) in four playoff games. The 6-foot-1, 176-pound forward should bring some good skill up front for the Herd.

With their final pick in the Phase I Draft, the Stampede selected defenseman Peter Diliberatore of Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada. He spent this past season skating with the Dartmouth Major Midgets of the NSMMHL where he recorded 21 points (6g, 15a) in 38 games. In 11 postseason games, the 16-year-old racked up eight points (1g, 7a).

All ten players drafted will be placed on the Stampede’s affiliate list and invited to tryout camp, June 10-13 in Sioux Falls. Phase II of the USHL Draft which includes players ages 16-20 will take place on Tuesday beginning at 8 AM. Fans can follow all the picks at ushl.com and get updates on the Stampede’s selections by following the Herd on Twitter @sfstampede.

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