Lumberjacks prospect Seeler drafted

On Saturday morning, Nick Seeler became the first Muskegon Lumberjack chosen in the National Hockey League's entry draft.

The defenseman from Eden Prairie, Minn., was selected by the Minnesota Wild in the fifth round (131st overall).

“This is definitely a dream come true,” Seeler said. “Growing up, the NHL is where I wanted to be, and I’ve worked hard as I could to do the little things that make NHL players so great.”

Seeler is committed to the University of Nebraska-Omaha, but will wear the Jacks’ crest this coming season.

“I’m really excited to play for (Lumberjacks head) coach Kevin Patrick,” Seeler said. “He’s an awesome guy and a classy guy. He knows what he’s doing and likes to win, so I know I’ll fit in very well.”

“Nick being selected is great for the Muskegon Lumberjacks and the community as a whole,” Patrick said. “He is an excellent two-way defenseman, who makes a real good outlet pass and does a good job getting pucks to the net. That's why his name shows up on the score sheet."

Seeler, 6 feet tall and 170 pounds, helped his high school team, Eden Prairie, win a state championship this past season.

Lumberjacks owner Josh Mervis was quick to credit Jacks Minnesota scout Chris LaCombe, who was instrumental in the Lumberjacks drafting Seeler in the 2010 United States Hockey League Entry Draft.

“Our scout, Chris LaCombe, does a great job,” Mervis said. “He saw Seeler first, really worked with him and battled for us to draft him a year ago.”

Mervis said Seeler probably could have played last season with the Jacks, but opted to remain home and graduate from high school.

“This is the first step in what we said was going to happen,” Mervis said. “It takes time and now we've got a guy drafted.”