California Rubber

California’s and Nevada’s Authoritative Voice of Ice and Inline Hockey

Jr. Ducks alum York chosen California Rubber Magazine’s Junior Player of the Year

 

The needle continues to point up for Cam York.

A defenseman for the U.S. National Team Development Program, the Anaheim Hills native and longtime Anaheim Jr. Ducks player put together a season for the ages.

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York amassed an eye-popping 109 points between his games for the NTDP and Team USA in international competitions. That was one of many considerations that went into selecting York as California Rubber Magazine’s 2019 Junior Player of the Year.

Part of a record-setting NTDP cohort, York claimed his own place in the program’s record books on Jan. 15 when he scored an NTDP-record seven points in an 11-3 win over Youngstown in a United States Hockey League game. That effort included his first NTDP hat trick.

It’s no wonder the Michigan commit and 2001 birth year is drawing raves in what many observers are calling a loaded 2019 NHL Draft class. An elite puck mover, York checked in as the 12th-ranked North American skater in the final NHL Central Scouting Service rankings. He has a chance to become the highest drafted California-born and trained player in June, an honor Beau Bennett (20th in 2010) holds.

Here is the rest of the All-California Junior Team:

Goaltenders

Patrick Pugliese, Nipawin (SJHL) – In his rookie year in the league, the 1999’s 1.95 goals-against average was second-best in the league, as was his .931 save percentage. Only teammate Declan Hobbs had better numbers. Pugliese, a former Jr. Ducks and OC Hockey Club player, went an incredible 16-2-0-1 in the regular season and won two of his three playoff starts with 2.01 and .938 numbers.

Mattias Sholl, Fairbanks (NAHL) – Once Sholl got an opportunity to play, he was lights out and helped lead the Ice Dogs to the Robertson Cup finals. The longtime Jr. King went 17-1-0-4 in the regular season with a 1.69 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage (both led the league) as well as six shutouts (tied for second). The 2000 was even better in the playoffs, starting out 6-0-0 with 1.00 and .958 numbers.

Dustin Wolf, Everett (WHL) – The 2001 enters the offseason as the No. 12 ranked North American goaltender ahead of the June’s NHL Draft, and with good reason. The longtime Jr. King won 41 games while amassing a 1.69 goals-against average and a .936 save percentage (the latter two numbers were second in the WHL). He then backstopped Everett into the second round of the postseason.

Defensemen

Ryan Johnson, Sioux Falls (USHL) – The Minnesota commit and longtime Jr. Duck had a banner rookie season. His 25 points tied for second most among first-year blueliners in the league, and the 2001’s plus-24 was second-best and tops on his team, which is playing for a Clark Cup title. He’s also the 33rd-ranked North American skater for the NHL Draft.

Jacob Modry, Wenatchee (BCHL) – The Merrimack commit had a career-high 25 points (three more than his previous two seasons combined) and continued to develop as a shutdown defender. The 1999 is a former Jr. King.

Chad Sasaki, Wenatchee (BCHL) – The Colorado College commit led his team’s defensemen in scoring with a career-high 42 points and 14 goals. The 1998 played for the Jr. Ducks.

Luc Salem, Maryland (NAHL) – The 1999 emerged in his second season of juniors, posting 21 points, second among defensemen on the Black Bears. He played for the Jr. Kings, Jr. Gulls, California Titans and Jr. Ducks.

Kaelan Taylor, Dubuque (USHL) – A 1999, the former Jr. Gull and Jr. King, developed into one of the league’s top shutdown defenseman. The Clarkson commit added 11 points.

Forwards

Joey Cassetti, Waterloo (USHL) – The Merrimack commit and former Jr. Sharks standout emerged as a scoring threat in his second season of juniors. The 1999 hit the 20-goal plateau and had 37 points.

Daniel Chladek, Bismarck (NAHL) – A 1999, the former Jr. Duck scored 19 goals and 30 points in 42 games during his first NAHL season.

Sasha Chmelevski, Ottawa (OHL) – The San Jose Sharks prospect excels in every phase. An assistant captain, the 1999 had a career-high-tying 35 goals and 75 points during the regular season and 29 more points (10 goals) in 16 postseason games, which saw the 67s reach the OHL championship series. He also represented Team USA at the World Junior Championship, scoring seven points in seven games, and won the Roger Neilson Award as the top post-secondary student in the OHL.

Jared Christy, Austin (NAHL) – The former Jr. King finished his junior career with a career-high 50 points, including 21 goals. He was an assistant captain for Odessa before being traded to Austin.

Takato Cox, Connecticut (NCDC) – A 1998 and former Jr. King, his career-high 54 points included 16 goals.

Rory Herrman, Fargo (USHL) – The RPI commit was off to a solid start in Green Bay (23 points in 36 games), got hurt and then got traded. The 1999 played for the San Diego Jr. Gulls and Jr. Ducks.

Ivan Lodnia, Niagara (OHL) – The Minnesota Wild prospect was traded last offseason but produced 45 points in 41 games before going for a team-best 14 more in 11 playoff games. The 1999 is a former LA Selects and KHS Ice player.

Daylon Mannon, Maryland (NAHL) – In his first season of junior, the former Titan and Jr. King’s 32 points were third on the team and his 17 goals were tied for second.

Jake McGrew, Spokane (WHL) – The Sharks prospect set career highs in goals (31) and points (54), then added seven more points in the playoffs. A 1999, he played for the LA Selects and the Jr. Kings.

Jason Robertson, Niagara (OHL) – The Dallas Stars prospect and 1999 was unfazed by a midseason trade from Kingston, putting up career-high totals of 117 points and 48 goals. The former Jr. Kings player also represented Team USA at the World Junior Championship.

Nick Robertson, Peterborough (OHL) – The one-time Pasadena Maple Leaf is the 17th-ranked North American skater heading into the NHL Draft, and the 2001’s 27-goal, 55-point season is one reason why.

Paul Selleck, Cowichan Valley (BCHL) – The longtime Jr. Duck finished his junior career with a career-best 34 points – third best on the Capitals – and 16 goals, which were second on the team.

Murphy Stratton, Wenatchee (BCHL) – The North Dakota commit finished second on the Wild with 46 points and 33 assists. The 1999 played for the Jr. Kings.

Brayden Watts, Vancouver (WHL) – The 1999 helped lead the Giants to the WHL championship series by compiling career bests of 18 goals and 46 points between the regular season and playoffs combined.

Photo/Rena Laverty/USA Hockey’s NTDP

— Chris Bayee

(June 7, 2019)

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