2021 USHL Draft Results

Round 1

The 2021 USHL Draft has future NHL talent on display. Find out who went to what USHL team in the strongest USHL Draft in recent memory.

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: May 11, 2022.

1. Youngstown Phantoms: William Whitelaw, C, (2023) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 5-8 165 lb William Whitelaw mainly played at Shattuck St. Mary's High School which is a hockey high school power house. He had 2 goals, 1 assist, and 3 points in 9 regular season games with the Younstown Phantoms. He also had 1 goal in 2 playoff games in an opening round loss to the Madison Capitols. William Whitelaw also has a hockey scholarship to Wisconsin. He's a sniper center much like Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning who could be a solid second round prospect in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
   
   
   
2. Sioux Falls Stampede: Will McDonough, C, (2023) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 6-1 187 lb Will McDonough played right winger on Boston Advantage where he had 7 goals, 3 assists, and 10 points last season. Will McDonough had 3 goals, 6 assists, and 9 points in 26 USHL games in 2021-2022 in his rookie season outperforming William Whitelaw the first overall pick. Will McDonough hasn't decided on a school for College Hockey yet, but my guess is he'll play for one of the Boston schools that competes in the yearly Beanpot tournament in Boston whether its Boston University, Boston College, Northeastern, or Harvard. UMass and North Dakota are also possiblities.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Waterloo Blackhawks: Joseph Willis, C, (2023) F Grade
   
   
   Waterloo wasted this pick. Joseph Willis is turning down the USHL to play in the OHL next season instead. In fact he's gonna be teammates with Michael Misa the first overall pick in the 2022 OHL Draft. Joseph Willis will probably be a line 2 center on the Saginaw Spirit behind Misa next season.
   
   
   
4. Lincoln Stars: Cooper Pierson, RW, (2023) A Grade
   
   
   The 5-7 142 lb Cooper Pierson was the top winger in the 2021 USHL Draft. He's already accepted a hockey scholarship to Denver.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Dubuque Fighting Saints: Michael Burchill, C, (2023) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 5-9 150 lb Michael Burchill had a promising rookie year with 11 goals, 9 assists, 20 points, and a +8 +/- ratio in 2021-2022. He still hasn't committed to a school yet for College Hockey after an extremely promsing rookie season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the USHL. He's from Illinois and plays amateur hockey in Dubuque, Iowa, so my guess is he'll end up at a Big 10 College. Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin are the three most prominent Big 10 schools for College Hockey.
   
   
   
6. Des Moines Buccaneers: Andrew Kuzma, C, (2023) C Grade
   
   
   The 6-0 185 lb Andrew Kuzma only had 3 goals, 3 assists, and 6 points in 58 games played with the Des Moines Buccaneers in 2021-2022. Andrew Kuzma is still undecided where he wants to play College. My guess is a Big 10 school, but I honestly have no idea where he ends up playing.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Fargo Force: Passed F Grade
   
   
   This was the first year where USHL teams are allowed to pass on draft picks. The only other sport that allows you to pass on draft picks is the MLS Super Draft. Any team that passes on a draft pick gets an automatic F grade from me simply for being too lazy to take a shot on someone.
   
   
   
8. Sioux City Musketeers: Brian Nicholas, C, (2023) C+ Grade
   
   
   The 6-1 183 lb Brian Nicholas had 1 assist in 4 games. He's accepted a hockey scholarship to Michigan.
   
   
   
   
   
9. Chicago Steel: Ben Yurchuk, C, (2023) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 5-8 150 lb Ben Yurchuk is smaller than your typical NHL center. He accepted a hockey scholarship to Northeastern. Yurchuk may be an ideal successor for Jack D. Hughes a 2022 first round prospect currently playing college hockey at Northeastern.
   
   
   
10. Tri-City Storm: Passed F Grade
    
    
    Tri-City got swept by the Sioux City Musketeers. Maybe it's because Sioux City outplayed them, but I like to think Tri-City may have won a game if they drafted someone.
    
    
    
    
    
11. Green Bay Gamblers: Jayson Shaugabay, C, (2023) D Grade
    
    
    Jayson Shaugabay had 0 points in 9 games. He could always bounce back next season, but right now this looks like a wasted pick.
    
    
    
12. Muskegon Lumberjacks: Passed F Grade
    
    
    Muskegon plays the Madison Capitols in a huge game 5 tomorrow night where the winner will play the Sioux City Musketeers in the 2022 Clark Cup. The Chicago Steel defeated the Fargo Force to win the 2021 Clark Cup and both teams passed on first round picks.
    
    
    
    
    
13. Chicago Steel: Jayden Perron, C, (2023) A+ Grade
    
    
    The Chicago Steel got Jayden Perron to turn down a WHL contract with the Portland Winterhawks after Perron fell to the second round of the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft.
    
    
    
14. Madison Capitols: Nicholas Fascia, D, (2023) B- Grade
    
    
    The 6-0 183 lb Nicholas Fascia was the top defenseman in the 2021 USHL Draft. He's had 0 points as a rookie and has hardly played only playing in 2 games for the Madison Capitols.
    
    
    
    
    
15. Cedar Rapids RoughRiders: Drew Stewart, C, (2023) C Grade
    
    
    Drew Stewart is versatile enough to play center, left wing, or right wing. I'm not sure if he's going to the WHL or USHL next season. An announcement on that hasn't been made yet. This is an A+ if he goes to the USHL and an F grade for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders if he goes to the WHL.
    
    
    
16. USNTDP: Charlie Stramel, RW, (2023) A+ Grade
    
    
    Charlie Stramel has lined up as both a right winger and a defenseman on the right side. He's currently the top overall prospect on the United States National Team Developmental Program for the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. He's also a top 10 prospect in that draft class.