Lincoln Stars Draft Preview
The United States Hockey League takes a team-by-team look ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft.
The Lincoln Stars have had at least one player selected in the NHL Draft for 12 straight years, while a total of 61 players all-time have been chosen.
Brian Lee, a defenseman who played for Lincoln in 2004-05, was selected ninth overall by Ottawa in 2005 and ranks as the highest-ever Stars draft pick.
In 2022 there were seven players with Lincoln ties picked including,
Aidan Thompson (Chicago Blackhawks – 90
th overall),
Noah Laba (New York Rangers – 111
th overall),
Cameron Whitehead (Vegas Golden Knights – 128
th overall),
Dominic James (Chicago Blackhawks – 173
rd overall),
Jack Sparkes (Los Angeles Kings – 180
th overall),
Brennan Ali (Detroit Red Wings – 212
th overall), and
Klavs Veinbergs (Tampa Bay Lightning – 224
th overall). Seven picks was the most of any member club across the USHL.
Top Prospects for 2023
Tanner Ludtke | Forward
Central Scouting Rank: #53
College Commitment: Nebraska-Omaha
At #53 Tanner Ludtke one of the highest-ranked players in the USHL for the upcoming NHL Draft. The Omaha commit racked up 32 goals and 34 assists for 66 points in 57 games. Ludtke had eight multi-goal games this season and his 32 tallies, 12 of which came on the powerplay, were the most on the team. The Elko, Minn., native was selected to play in Bio-Steel All American Game and the World Jr. A Challenge where he had the primary assist on game-winning goal to help the U.S. claim gold for the ninth time in team history.
Luke Mittelstadt | Defenseman
Central Scouting Rank: #97
College Commitment: Minnesota
Mittelstadt played in 12 games for the Stars during the 2020-21 season scoring twice and adding an assist. He played for the Madison Capitols the following year and played as a freshman at the University of Minnesota in 2022-23 where he added 21 points (5 goals and 16 assists) with nine points (three goals, six assists) coming on the power play for the Gophers this season.
The USHL has had 50-or-more players selected in each of the last five NHL Drafts, with a league-best 57 chosen in 2022 and 2018. In all the USHL has seen 990 of its players selected in total, with at least one player taken in each draft but one dating back to 1981.