USHL Draft Notes

The United States Hockey League (USHL) held its annual entry draft Tuesday with two notable draftees for Marquette hockey fans.

The Rangers Jake Hauswirth was taken in the fifth round, No. 53 overall by the Omaha Lancers. In comparison, six other North American Hockey League players were taken ahead of Hauswirth including two from Mahoning Valley. The Phantoms Alden Hirschfeld was taken second overall by Columbus.

Another NAHL player, Kory Kaunisto from Sault Ste. Marie, was taken in the sixth round, No. 69 overall, by the Waterloo Blackhawks. Kaunisto, the younger borther of Ray Kaunisto, spent last season with Traverse City and is a 2008 commitment of NMU. Waterloo is where NMU's Matt Maunu played his junior hockey.

Western College hockey put in a shift Tuesday blogging the draft. You can read more about the players taken there.

Cats lose Lamoureux borthers

As already posted by Western College Hockey and first reported by Brad Elliot Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald, Jacques Lamoureux has now been accepted into the Air Force Academy and is set to transfer. Lamoureux was denied admission 13 months ago and instead chose Northern.

The Air Force was always a dream for Lamoureux, who posted a goal and an assist for NMU in 16 games as a freshman.

The fallout of Jacques decision is that his younger brother, Mario, will not come to Northern. Mario will return to Tri-City of the USHL and re-opened his search for a college. Mario had 15 goals and 19 assists for Tri-City this year in 60 games. Mario was originally also recruited by North Dakota, who offered him a scholarship. Jacques and Mario's older brother Phillippe is going into his senior season as the goaltender of the Fighting Sioux.