2023 USHL Draft Results

Round 1

The 2023 USHL Draft has future NHL talent on display with prospects in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: August 4, 2023.

1. Madison Capitols: Sam Kappell, C, (2025) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 6-1 185 lb Sam Kappell was the first line center on a Notre Dame Academy team that went undefeated and won the State Championship for hockey in the state of Wisconsin. Sam Kappell had 34 goals, 23 assists, and 57 points in 28 games with Notre Dame Academy during their 28-0 season in 2022-2023. Sam Kappell also had 32 goals, 24 assists, and 56 points with the Team Wisconsin Under 15 Team in 2022-2023. Sam Kappell had 66 goals, 47 assists, and 113 points in 69 total games played in the state of Wisconsin in 2022-2023.
   
   
   
   Sam Kappell is a hard working player who hates to lose as he posted 5 points in the state championship game for Notre Dame Academy in their 8-1 win. He's a power forward with skill who plays big and gets to the net to score goals. He's not afraid to get to the dirty areas of the rink to find success.
   
   
   
   He's a precise passer who can hit wingers dishing the puck as he can fire crisp passes or outlet passes. He's got the short accuracy, medium accuracy, and deep accuracy on his passes. Has the skating and explosion to beat opposing defenders that try to check him and the versatility to play all three forward spots at left winger, center, and right winger. He's got the wrist shot power and wrist shot accuracy you want.
   
   
   
   The only thing I'd like to see Sam Kappell do is develop his slap shot. He defends well for a center and is great at winning face offs doing a sound job playing a 200 foot game at times. Sam Kappell projects as a first line center in the USHL which is why this is an A+ grade for me.
   
   
   
2. Chicago Steel: Ryder Betzold, RW, (2025) B Grade
   
   
   The 5-8 141 lb Ryder Betzold had 20 goals, 13 assists, and 33 points in 27 games with Gentry Academy in Minnesota in 2022-2023. Ryder Betzold projects as a second line right winger in the USHL.
   
   
   
   Dave Spehar had some very positive things to say about Ryder Betzold. "Off the charts hockey IQ. Ability to translate pond hockey skills and creativitiy into a real hockey system. If he gets to 6 feet he's going to be on radarar like MN, Denver, No Dak, Notre Dame. He might even still be." Dave Spehar also known as @MNHockeyStar on Twitter is a Minnesota High School Hockey Fanatic. He was also the 1996 Mr. Hockey Award Winner in the state of Minnesota as a former player.
   
   
   
   Ryder Betzold is the fifth best high school recruit in hockey right now. Ryder Betzold didn't wow me like Sam Kappell did on film, so I'll give this a B grade.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Sioux Falls Stampede: Matthew Grimes, D, (2025) A Grade
   
   
   The 6-0 176 lb Matthew Grimes had 12 goals, 39 assists, and 51 points in 55 games in 2022-2023. This smart two-way defenseman can be a real difference maker for the Sioux Falls Stampede. I will give this pick an A grade, but not an A+ grade since I didn't see enough production from Grimes to warrant an A+ grade.
   
   
   
4. Muskegon Lumberjacks: Cameron Aucoin, D, (2025) B Grade
   
   
   The 6-0 170 lb Cameron Aucoin had 3 goals, 13 assists, and 16 points in 15 games with the Chicago Mission Under 15 AAA Team in 2022-2023. Cameron Aucoin's older brother Kyle Aucoin played with the Muskegon Lumberjacks before enrolling at Harvard and his younger brother Kaden Aucoin could be a future USHL prospect. Cameron is also the second of three sons from former NHL defenseman Adrian Aucoin who spent nearly twenty years in the NHL after getting drafted in 1992 and retiring in 2013.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Des Moines Buccaneers: Benjamin Kevan, LW, (2025) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 5-11 165 lb Benjamin Kevan is one of the most complete players in the 2023 USHL Draft. He has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy. He's got the offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ and vision you want a first overall pick to have. Benjamin Kevan had 62 goals, 50 assists, and 112 points with the Los Angeles Jr. Kings Under 15 AAA Bantam Team in 2022-2023. Benjamin Kevan has the traits to be a future first round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
   
   
   
6. Sioux City Musketeers: Max Anderson, LW, (2025) C Grade
   
   
   The 6-0 165 lb Max Anderson had 15 goals, 11 assists, and 26 points in 30 games with Cretin-Derham Hall in 2022-2023. Max Anderson is a solid player, but this is a reach so this pick gets.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Cedar Rapids RoughRiders: Haeden Ellis, C, (2025) B+ Grade
   
   
   The 5-9 150 lb Haeden Ellis is the son of Matt Ellis. Haeden Ellis had 9 goals, 8 assists, and 17 points in 16 games as the team captain of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres Under 15 AAA Team in 2022-2023. Haeden Ellis will play on the Buffalo Jr. Sabres in the Ontario Junior Hockey League in 2023. He will spend the next two seasons on the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders starting in 2024 before enrolling into Northeastern where he will play college hockey in 2026. Also, Haeden Ellis is draft eligible for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
   
   
   
   Haeden Ellis has the floor of a fourth line center and the ceiling of a first line center. If he doesn't develop his floor will be a fourth line center in the NHL and if he develops correctly, this long-term project could be a first line center on an NHL team down the road.
   
   
   
8. Dubuque Fighting Saints: Liam Kilfoil, C, (2025) F Grade
   
   
   The 5-11 170 lb Liam Kilfoil was drafted thirty first overall in the 2023 QMJHL Draft despite the fact that the Dubuque Fighting Saints tendered Liam Kilfoil by giving up a first round pick for his rights. Liam Kilfoil didn't committ to the Dubuque Fighting Saints. Cam Russell the GM of the Halifax Mooseheads gets an A+ grade and the Dubuque Fighting Saints get our first F grade of the 2023 USHL Draft.
   
   
   
   
   
9. Green Bay Gamblers: Lev Katzin, C, (2025) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 5-8 161 lb Lev Katzin had 56 goals, 87 assists, and 143 points with the Toronto Marlboroos Under 16 AAA Team as an alternate captain in 2022-2023. Lev Katzin was a fifth round pick in the 2023 OHL Draft, but turned down an OHL deal to come to the USHL.
   
   
   
   Lev Katzin will play two seasons with the Green Bay Gamblers before enrolling in Harvard in 2025. Lev Katzin and Aidan Park will be a fun combo for Green Bay Gamblers fans to scout during the next two seasons in the USHL. Lev Katzin is going to be a name to watch in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
   
   
   
10. Tri-City Storm: Cooper Simpson, C, (2025) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-1 170 lb Cooper Simpson had 37 goals, 26 assists, and 63 points at Shakopee High School in Minnesota in 2022-2023. The Tri-City Storm tendered him and got his rights in exchange for this first round pick. Frankly I love the move as Cooper Simpson could be an impact player for the Tri-City Storm this season in the USHL.
    
    
    
    
    
11. Lincoln Stars: Jacob Rombach, D, (2025) A- Grade
    
    
    Adam Kleber had an offer to join the Portland Winterhawks, but he chose the Lincoln Stars in the USHL last year. Now the Lincoln Stars will have a duo of Adam Kleber and Jacob Rombauch on the blue line this season.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 181 lb Jacob Rombach had 9 goals, 10 assists, and 19 points in 26 games with Spring Lake Park High School in Minnesota. Jacob Rombach has a nice wrist shot with the wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, playmaking, and skating you want. Jacob Rombach isn't listed on the Lincoln Stars roster yet and that's the only reason I gave this an A- grade right now.
    
    
    
12. Youngstown Phantoms: Zachary Morin, C, (2025) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-2 174 lb Zachary Morin was the third best prospect in the 2023 QMJHL Draft, but he fell in the QMJHL Draft because there were rumors he chose the USHL over the QMJHL. Those rumors turned out to be true. Zachary Morin had 58 goals, 72 assists, and 130 points in 77 games with the Little Caesars Under 15 AAA Team in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    He has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy. He's got the offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ and vision you want a top draft prospect to have. Right now, Zachary Morin is a top 10 prospect in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft and Morin is going to give the Youngstown Phantoms a shot to win a second Clarke Cup after winning the 2023 Clarke Cup.
    
    
    
    
    
13. Waterloo Blackhawks: Nicholas Kosiba, RW, (2025) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 5-10 148 lb Nicholas Kosiba had 51 goals, 84 assists, and 135 points with the Little Caesars Under 15 AAA Team in 2022-2023. Nicholas Kosiba will play on the Little Caesars Under 16 AAA Team in 2023, but will join the Waterloo Blackhawks in the USHL in 2024.
    
    
    
    He has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy. He's got the offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ and vision you want a top draft prospect to have. Nicholas Kosiba is more of a playmaker than a sniper.
    
    
    
14. Chicago Steel: Lukas Sawchyn, C, (2025) A+ Grade
    
    
    The Chicago Steel lured Macklin Celebrini the early front runner to go first overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft away from the Seattle Thunderbirds in the WHL. Chicago did the same thing a year later luring Gracyn Sawchyn's younger brother Lukas Sawchyn away from Seattle in the WHL to play on the Chicago Steel in the USHL.
    
    
    
    The 5-9 163 lb Lukas Sawchyn had 28 goals, 50 assists, and 78 points in 2022-2023 on Shattuck St. Mary's Under 16 AAA Team in 2022-2023. Lukas Sawchyn took over where Macklin Celebrini left off at Shattuck St. Mary's Under 16 AAA Team. Now Lukas Sawchyn is taking over for Macklin Celebrini on the Chicago Steel in the USHL with Macklin Celebrini heading to Boston University in the NCAA after Macklin Celebrini had 46 goals, 40 assists, and 86 points in the USHL.
    
    
    
    Lukas Sawchyn has the skating, feet, foot speed, speed, explosive burst, passing, playmaking, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, decision making, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ you want. He's not as touted as Macklin Celebrini, but he's a viable replacement for Macklin Celebrini as Lukas Sawchyn will be on the Chicago Steel in the USHL in 2023 this Fall.
    
    
    
    
    
15. Fargo Force: Masun Fleece, C, (2025) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 5-10 170 lb Masun Fleece had 32 goals, 39 assists, and 71 points in 57 with the Shattuck St. Mary's Under 16 AAA Team in 2022-2023. Shattuck St. Mary's Under 16 AAA went from Macklin Celebrini and Cole Eiserman to Lukas Sawchyn and Masun Fleece as their powerhouse hockey program continues to churn future NHL talent. I believe Nathan MacKinnon played at Shattuck St. Mary's at one point too before the 2011 QMJHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Masun Fleece has the skating, feet, foot speed, speed, explosive burst, passing, playmaking, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, decision making, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ you want. The Fargo Force will have Mac Swanson their 2022 first round pick and Masun Fleece their 2023 first round pick as their top two centers in the USHL next season after losing the 2023 Clarke Cup to the Youngstown Phantoms. Fargo could be a lot better next season as they should be in the conversation to contend once again.
    
    
    
16. USNTDP: Logan Hensler, D, (2025) A+ Grade
    
    
    The United States National Team Developmental Program in the USHL has two top five picks in center James Hagens and defenseman Logan Hensler. The Hockey Writers Magazine already did a lengthy article on James Hagens, so I decided to play devils advocate by doing a writeup on Logan Hensler since Elite Prospects has Hensler at 2 and Hagens at 3 in their early 2025 NHL Draft Rankings.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 187 lb Logan Hensler had 5 goals, 15 assists, and 20 points with the United States National Team Developmental Program in the USHL in 2022-2023. I saw Logan Hensler's interview and believe he has the traits to be a top 5 pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    Logan Hensler has the skating, feet, foot speed, speed, explosive burst, passing, playmaking, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, decision making, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ you want.
    
    
    
    A year ago I said the top three was, Michael Misa (center), Malcolm Spence (left winger), and Jordan Gavin (center) are the top 3 for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft at this point in 2022. That has changed and will provide a brief update on the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    Michael Misa is still the top player in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft because there was a point where Misa led the OHL in points after the first month of the season as a 15 year old. Logan Hensler and James Hagens of the United States National Team Developmental Program in the USHL are both in consideration to go second overall along with Malcolm Spence of the Erie Otters. One more player that I've seen mocked as high second overall in preliminary 2025 NHL Mock Drafts is Victoriaville Tigres goalie Gabriel D'Aigle who was drafted second overall in the 2022 QMJHL Draft. Gabriel D'Aigle is 6-4 209 lbs and had a 2.59 GAA and .919 save percentage prior to the 2022 QMJHL Draft. Gabriel D'Aigle had a .894 save percentage and 3.18 goals against average in 21 games during his rookie season with the Victoriaiville Tigres in the QMJHL, so we'll put Gabriel D'Aigle at 5.
    
    
    
    Jordan Gavin from the Tri-City Americans in the WHL is currently my sixth best player in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Zachary Morin the Youngstown Phantoms center from the 2023 USHL Draft and Masun Fleece the Fargo Force center from the 2023 USHL Draft are both projected top 10 picks in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Matthew Schaefer the Erie Otters defenseman drafted first overall in the 2023 OHL Draft is my ninth best player and currently my number two defenseman to sneak in the top ten. Rounding out my top ten is Lulea HF goalie Love Harenstam who played for the same Lulea HF team as 2021 first round pick Jasper Wallstedt as Love Harenstam had a 1.54 goals against average and a .936 save percentage with the Lulea HF Under 18 Team. A writer on Daily Faceoff has Love Harenstam at ten in their rankings for the 2025 NHL Draft while ranking Gabriel D'Aigle the top goalie in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft at six on their big board.
    
    
    
    The crazy thing about this draft class is that there is a third goalie in my top fifteen at the eleven spot on my preliminary big board for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft with Pyotr Andreyanov a Russian goalie with a 1.56 goals against average on the CSKA Moskva Under 16 Team in Russia. The 2025 NHL Entry Draft also has three more goalies outside of the top three goalies in this draft that could be second round picks in the top sixty four overall. Czech Republic center Adam Benak of HC Plzen in the Extraliga league is twelfth on my big board for 2025. Victor Eklund and Anton Frondell from Djurgardens IF in Sweden in the SHL are both consensus top ten picks on most NHL Draft rankings at the moment and come in at 13 and 14 as forwards on my big board for 2025. Brady Martin, Tyler Hopkins, and Owen Griffin three centers from the 2023 OHL Draft round out my 15-17 spots. William Moore from the USNTDP Team at center in the USHL comes in at 18 with Nikita Kessler a center from Germany coming in at 19. Caleb Desnoyers the first pick in the 2023 QMJHL Draft a center for the Moncton Wildcats and Jan Chovan a center from the Tappara Under 18 Team are currently competing for the final spot in my top twenty.
    
    
    
    The mainstream media is saying that the 2024 NHL Entry Draft is just as deep as the 2023 NHL Entry Draft on NHL Network. A while ago my friend Tracy Porter said the 2025 NHL Entry Draft is gonna be deeper than the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, but not as deep as the 2023 NHL Entry Draft back in 2022 a week before the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. Heading into the Fall of 2023, I see 19 first round prospects in the top thirty two for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft in the first round and I currently see 21 first round propsects for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft in the top thirty two after reassessing the information being presented.
    
    
    
    After carefully reviewing everything, I agree with Tracy that the 2025 NHL Entry Draft is better than the 2024 NHL Draft, but if you need a defenseman you should load up on picks in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft since 2025 looks like a forward heavy draft just like the 2023 NHL Entry Draft that just took place in Nashville where the Blackhawks took Connor Bedard, but 2025 makes up for being foward heavy with the deepest goalie draft since 2004 where three goalies got drafted in the first round. The 2025 NHL Entry Draft is over twenty months away and a lot can change between now and then. For now, that's my update on prospects in future NHL Drafts.