Youngstown Phantoms Draft Preview
The United States Hockey League takes a team-by-team look ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft.
The 2023 Clark Cup Champions have an impressive draft class this year with five current players invited to the NHL Scouting Combine, the most of any USHL team. Phantoms’ players invited to the combine include USHL Goalie of the Year,
Jacob Fowler (#5 amongst North American Goalies), forwards
William Whitelaw (#42 amongst North American Skaters),
Martin Misiak (#45 amongst North American Skaters),
Brandon Svoboda (#66 amongst North American Skaters), and defenseman
Andrew Strathman (#44 amongst North American Skaters).
Six former and current Phantoms players heard their names called at the 2022 NHL Draft including
Filip Nordberg (Ottawa – 64
th overall),
Michael Fisher (San Jose – 76
th overall),
Adam Ingram (Nashville – 82
nd overall),
James Fisher (Columbus – 203
rd overall),
David Gucciardi (Washington - 213
th overall) and
Reese Laubach (San Jose – 217
th overall).
The Phantoms have had 25 players selected in the NHL Draft since their first season in 2009-10 and the top overall pick during that span was
Kyle Connor, who was selected in the first round, 17
th overall, by Winnipeg in 2015.
Top Prospects for 2023
William Whitelaw | Forward
Central Scouting Rank: #42
College Commitment: Wisconsin
Whitelaw led the Phantoms in goals (36) as a rookie in 2022-23 while adding 25 assists for 61 points in 62 games played. His 36 goals also broke the Youngstown record for most goals scored in a single-season by a rookie. The Rosemount, Minn., native finished second on his team in scoring and third amongst all USHL rookies. He added nine points (5G-4A) in the playoffs helping the Phantoms claim their first Clark Cup Championship in franchise history. Whitelaw earned USHL Forward of the Week honors in Week 17 for his 4G-3A performance vs the Madison Capitols. Named USHL All-Rookie Second Team, Whitelaw represented the U.S. at the 2022 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament and was selected to play in the 2023 BioSteel All-American Game.
Andrew Strathman | Defenseman
Central Scouting Rank: #44
College Commitment: North Dakota
Strathman tallied 3-35--38 this season, leading Phantoms defensemen in scoring and ranking third amongst USHL D-men in assists. He earned USHL Defenseman of the Week Honors twice during the 2022-23 season, first in week one and second during the Eastern Conference Final where he put up a four-point performance to help send the Phantoms to the Clark Cup Final. Strathman was selected to play in the 2023 BioSteel All-American game and played for gold medal-winning Team USA at the World Junior A Challenge.
Jacob Fowler | Goaltender
Central Scouting Rank: #5
College Commitment: Boston College
Named the 2022-23 USHL Goaltender of the Year, Fowler finished the regular season with a 2.28 goals against average and a .921 save percentage in 40 games played. His playoff performance was next level with a 1.36 GAA and .952 sv%. He posted a shutout in the championship-clinching game in leading the Phantoms to the first Clark Cup Championship in franchise history. Fowler’s accolades from the 2022-23 season include USA Hockey Dave Peterson Goaltender of the Year, seven-time USHL Goalie of the Week, Clark Cup Finals MVP, All-USHL First Team and USHL Goaltender of the Year. Fowler played for Team White in the BioSteel All-American game, there he stopped 12/13 for a 1.96GAA and .923 sv%. He also backstopped Team USA in the World Junior A Challenge where he posted a shutout against Sweden in the preliminary rounds and backstopped Team USA to 5-2 gold medal victory over Canada.
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.