NAHL draft recap: Kalamazoo

The Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings, proud member of the North American Hockey League, announces their selections in the NAHL Draft, which occurred earlier this afternoon.

Prior to the NAHL Entry Draft, the NAHL conducted a one-round draft of North American 3 Hockey League (3HL) players. With their selection, the Jr. K-Wings picked the NA3HL Forward of the Year, Charles Williams.

An All-NA3HL Team selection, Williams registered 80 points (38 goals, 42 assists) and 125 minutes in penalties in 44 games for the Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins. Williams also averaged over-a-point a night in the playoffs the Jr. Penguins earning three points (1 goal, 2 assists) in two postseason contests.

Getting defensive with the first-overall selection of the NAHL Entry Draft, the Jr. K-Wings selected blue-liner Matt Krug from the Buffalo Jr. Sabres of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL).

Krug was fourth overall in all OJHL defensemen in scoring with 44 points (10 goals, 34 assists) and was a North-West Conference 2nd Team All Star last season.

With the first selection of the second round, Kalamazoo selected goaltender Ken MacLean from the Boston Jr. Bruins from the Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL). MacLean had a 3.03 goals-against-average and went 14-3-1in 23 contests for the Jr. Bruins.

With the 59th selection overall and the first pick of the third round, Kalamazoo picked John Gilmour from the Gilmour Academy. Gilmour was the assistant captain and had 44 points (9 goals, 35 assists) in 62 games for Gilmour Academy.

In the fourth round, the Jr. K-Wings selected forward Ben Murphy, who scored 32 points (18 goals, 14 assists) in 42 games with the Bay State Breakers in the EJHL.

Heading back to secure the blue-line in the fifth round, Kalamazoo selected defenseman Christian Neumann of the Chicago Fury (18U), who had 13 points (2 goals, 11 assists) in 39 games.

In the sixth-eighth rounds, the Jr. K-Wings kept their selections in-state picking defenseman Mitch Wedding from Little Caesars 16U, forward Clint Bess from Belle Tire 18U and forward Mackenzie MacEachern from Brother Rice High School.

In the ninth round, Kalamazoo looked to protect the net with the selection of goaltender Stormer Santana from Shattuck-St. Mary's Midget AAA club in Minnesota. Santana led the Northern Lakes Hockey League with wins (10), goals-against-average (1.69) and save percentage (0.930).

Adding some championship experience in the 10th round, Kalamazoo added skilled forward Brock Raffaele from the Northern Ontario Junior A Hockey League (NOJHL) champions, Soo Eagles.

With their next selection in the 11th round, the Jr. K-Wings selected Greg Gibson, forward from the Huntsville Otters of the OJHL.

In the 12th round it was back to the blue-line for the Jr. K-Wings with the selection of Sean Campbell, defenseman from Capital Centre 18U.

Moving back upfront, Kalamazoo picked power forward Jordan Logan from the Indiana Jr. Ice U18 Team with the 13th round selection.

The Jr. K-Wings concluded the draft with the selection of forward Mitchell Baker from Adrian College.