The New Mexico Ice Wolves selected five players in the North American Hockey League’s 2020 Entry Draft today.
Coming into the draft Ice Wolves head coach Phil Fox was looking for pieces that will fit well in the Ice Wolves organization. “We went into this year’s draft not having a ton of picks so I wanted to find some good players that will complement the core group of players we have returning,” Fox said.
The Ice Wolves first selection was the fourth overall pick in the draft. The team targeted size and experience and selected Colton Huard. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound defenseman spent the 2019-20 season in the USHL starting with the Fargo Force (1g, 5a) and finishing the season with the regular season champions, the Chicago Steel (1g, 7a). Huard also has experience in the NAHL playing with the Aberdeen Wings throughout their regular season and playoff run during the 2018-19 season.
The second round the Ice Wolves selected forward Tyler Savage. The North Dakota native spent last season in the SJHL with the Estevan Bruins. Savage racked up an impressive 42 points (14g, 28a) in 51 games with the Bruins during the 2019-20 season. The Ice Wolves hope that the forward can develop and transition that production to the NAHL level.
With the third-round pick, the Ice Wolves drafted Buffalo native Owen Parker. Parker spent the 2019-20 season with Nichols School Vikings. Through 29 games with the Vikings, the goaltender had a 2.80 GAA and a .902 SV%. At 6-foot-6 and 235 pounds, Parker has the potential to bring size that Ice Wolves fans haven’t seen between the pipes at the Outpost.
The fourth round the team selected 2001 born forward Brady Rappuhn. The past 4 years playing at Saginaw Heritage High (USHS-MI). During the 2019-20 season, Rappuhn absolutely dominated and ended up first on his team and third in the league in points with 77pts (37g, 40a) in only 24 games.
The Ice Wolves finished the draft strong by selecting forward Ryan Muckenstrum. Muckenstrum has played with the Mid Cities Jr Stars (NA3HL) and led the team in point during the 2019-20 season. Through 44 games Ryan racked up 65 points (35g, 30a).
Phil Fox is confident with the Ice Wolves selections today and is looking forward to building the roster out for the team’s sophomore season saying, “Each of our picks has a value to their game that will give us even more depth up front and on the backend. I can’t wait to get the season started.”
The NM Ice Wolves draft picks and tendered players now look forward to the main camp on August 13-15, 2020 after which the roster will be firmly shaped up.