BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings
HARTFORD, CT – The NAHL conducted its entry draft consisting of 498 slots last Wednesday. It’s the last junior selections made before the big NHL Entry Draft at the end of the week.
Since entering the league, the Danbury Hat Tricks started their second draft by selecting David Chen (Salisbury School) in the first round (12th overall). He is a Yale University (ECACHL) commit for 2022-23.
In the second round (56th overall), they selected Logan Heroux from the Utica Jr. Comets (NCDC).
For the third round (59th overall), the Hat Tricks selected Lucas DiChiara (Fairfield), who played for Fox Motor Sports U-18 (T1EHL).
With the first pick of the fourth round (88th overall), the selection was from El Paso as they took Karter McNorland of the South Shore (MA) Kings (USPHL-Premier). He is a University of Vermont (HE) commit for 2022-23
MIDDLE ROUNDS
In the fourth round (99th overall), the Hat Tricks drafted California native Marko Giorof from the Anaheim Jr. Ducks U-18 (T1EHL).
The Hat Tricks did not have a fifth-round pick, so in the sixth round (157th overall), they elected Seth Rakosky from the Colorado Rampage U-16 (T1EHL).
The Hat Tricks chose Trey Hirschfield from the team’s NA3HL team with their final pick. The pick was in the seventh round (186th round).
The other Connecticut selections:
In the third round (82nd overall), Philip Quetell (CT Jr. Rangers – NCDC) was taken by the El Paso Rhinos. His older brother Andrew will be a senior with Army (AHA) this year.
With the 145th overall selection, the last of the fifth-round, David Grosek (Selects Academy at South Kent Prep) was taken by the Aberdeen (SD) Wings.
In the seventh round (179th overall), Cole Paredes (Norwalk) of the Berkshire School, who also played for the Gunnery School (now known as the Gunn School in Washington, CT), was taken by the Corpus Christi (TX) IceRays.
Also, in the seventh round (182nd overall), Spencer Bellina (CT Jr. Rangers – NCDC) was selected by the Maine Nordiques on a pick obtained from the Chippewa (WI) Steel.
Yet another Connecticut kid was selected in the seventh round (197th overall) Patrick (P.J.) Neal (Greenwich/Avon Old Farms) was taken by the Wichita Falls (TX) Warriors. He played for them last year and with the Mid-Fairfield Rangers U-18 team.
Lastly, in the seventh round (200th overall), Bauer Swift (West Hartford/Choate Rosemary Hall-Wallingford), who skated for the Mid-Fairfield Rangers U-18 last season, was taken by the Lone Star (TX) Brahmas.
LATER ROUNDS
In the ninth round (236th overall), Hayden Riva (Lakeville) of the Berkshire School, but who played for the Valley Jr. Warriors (EHL) last season, was taken by the Springfield (Ill.) Jr. Blues.
With the 202nd overall pick and from the tenth round, Connor Brazil (Avon Old Farms), a Las Vegas, NV native, was selected by the Amarillo (TX) Wranglers.
When the eleventh round and the 296th overall pick came up, it was Jake Bongo (Ridgefield) who heard his name called by the NJ Rockets (NCDC) and the Mid-Fairfield Rangers U-18 team by the Springfield (Ill),) Jr. Blues. He is slated to play for the Surrey Eagles (BCHL) this year and is a Sacred Heart University (AHA) commit for 2022-23.
Also in the eleventh round (318th overall) was Robert Barrasso (CT Jr. Rangers – NCDC), who was taken by the Johnstown (PA) Tomahawks.
The last CT selection came in the twelfth round (325th overall) as Jason Siedem (Avon Old Farms) was selected by the Springfield (Ill.) Jr. Blues. He will skate for the Verno Vipers (BCHL) in 2021-22.
ACHA MOVES
Kolby Donavan of the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks (NA3HL) heads to Grand Canyon University (Phoenix, AZ) in the ACHA Division-2.
Nic Hemming of the CT Chiefs (EHL), who also skated with Vermont (EHL) and Pueblo (USPHL-Premier) last year, will skate for the University of Central Oklahoma (ACHA Division-1) in the fall.
