June 26, 2010
Notes
LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Three members of the 2010-11 University of Michigan ice hockey team were selected in 2010 NHL Entry Draft on Saturday (June 26). Incoming freshman defenseman Jon Merrill (Brighton, Mich.) was tabbed by the New Jersey Devils in the second round (38th overall). In the seventh round, sophomore defenseman Lee Moffie (Wallingford, Conn.) was picked by the San Jose Sharks (188th overall) and freshman forward Luke Moffatt (Paradise Valley, Ariz.) was chosen by the Colorado Avalanche (197th overall).
Entering the draft, Merrill (6-3, 198 pounds) was rated No. 21 among North American skaters by the Central Scouting Service (Merrill's NHL Prospect Card). Merrill spent the last two seasons with the U.S. NTDP Under-18 Team in 2008-09 and 2009-10. This past season he posted five goals and 25 assists over 47 games. He accumulated just 14 penalty minutes. Merrill won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2010 IIHF World Under-18 Championship, where he was chosen as one of the three best players on Team USA as selected by the coaches. He was also a member of the U.S. team in 2009 that won the gold medal at the event.
"He plays the game a lot like Jordan Leopold," said Jack Barzee of NHL Central Scouting. "He plays weaving and diving, sneaking and thinking, gaining the zone and moving the puck ahead right on the tape to a guy. He's skilled and he's really come a long way in his development."
Moffie was not ranked by the NHL CSS for the 2010 NHL Draft. Despite being ranked 135th by the CSS in 2009, he went undrafted a year ago. As a rookie for the Maize and Blue, Moffie performed admirably in 29 games of action. He scored four goals, tied for second among defensemen on the team, and added eight assists. He had a +2 plus/minus rating and accumulated 27 penalty minutes.
Moffatt was ranked 95th among North Americans by Central Scouting. He had 13 goals and 17 assists in 56 games for the U.S. NTDP Under-18 Team in 2009-10. In two games for the U.S. NTDP Under-17 Team, he had a goal and an assist. He had 46 penalty minutes between the 58 games. At the IIHF World Under-18 Championship, Moffatt had two goals and an assist as Team USA won the gold medal.
In 2010-11, the Wolverines are slated to have 12 players on their roster who have been drafted by NHL squads.
N O T E S
• Merrill is the 12th Wolverine to be selected by the New Jersey Devils. Two other current U-M players are also New Jersey picks: Brandon Burlon (2008, 2nd round) and David Wohlberg (2008, 6th round).
• Moffie is just the second Michigan player to be picked by San Jose. Jeff Jillson was a first round choice of the Sharks in 1999. Two former Wolverines played for San Jose in 2009-10: Jed Ortmeyer and Dwight Helminen.
• Moffatt is the fourth player picked by the Avalanche. T.J. Hensick and Kevin Porter played for Colorado this past 2009-10 season.
• Michigan Players Selected in the NHL Draft
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
