Plethora of California natives taken in annual two-day USHL Draft
The USHL held its annual draft this week, with several California natives being selected in the two-day event.
USHL Draft, Phase 1 – May 4, 2026
5th round, 62nd overall – Micah Socha (Newhall), D, Green Bay Gamblers (Buffalo Jr. Sabres 15U)
6th round, 76th overall – Drew McDevitt (Tustin), F, Waterloo Black Hawks (Los Angeles Jr. Kings 15U)
6th round, 87th overall – Jiho Song (Irvine), F, Green Bay Gamblers (Anaheim Jr. Ducks 15U)
8th round, 108th overall – Nick Wieckowski (Valencia), D, Tri-City Storm (Los Angeles Jr. Kings 15U)
9th round, 126th overall – Blake Romo (Torrance), F, Des Moines Buccaneers (Los Angeles Jr. Kings 15U)
9th round, 134th overall – Adam Benassaya (Manhattan Beach), F, Sioux Falls Stampede (Shattuck-St. Mary’s 15U)
10th round, 140th overall – Jack Urtel (Irvine), G, Tri-City Storm (Los Angeles Jr. Kings 15U)
15th round, 221st overall – Kostantinos Valaskantjis (Coto de Caza), F, Des Moines Buccaneers (Anaheim Jr. Ducks 15U)
15th round, 238th overall – Riley Wolkove (Los Angeles), F, Green Bay Gamblers (Eden Prairie HS Eagles)
USHL Draft, Phase 2 – May 5, 2026
1st round, 3rd overall – Ryan Denes (Saugus), G, Tri-City Storm (Maryland Black Bears, NAHL)
7th round, 108th overall – Logan Stuart (Los Angeles), F, Lincoln Stars (U.S. NTDP Under-18 Team)
7th round, 115th overall – Joshua Phillips (Los Altos), F, Tri-City Storm (Kimball Union Academy Wildcats)
8th round, 132nd overall – Daniel Peate (San Juan Capistrano), F, Omaha Lancers (Avon Old Farms School Winged Beavers)
9th round, 139th overall – Oliver Kanat (Newport Beach), G, Chicago Steel (Vernon Vipers, BCHL)
11th round, 170th overall – Kingston King (Valencia), D, Des Moines Buccaneers (NorthStar Christian Academy Knights 16U)
13th round, 208th overall – Matteo Alvarez (Manhattan Beach), F, Sioux Falls Stampede (Deerfield Academy Big Green)
15th round, 238th overall – Gavin Clark (Newport Beach), F, Sioux Falls Stampede (Saskatoon Blades, WHL)
— Compiled by Matt Mackinder
(May 5, 2026)