Draft | 6/7/2024 9:20:09 AM

The United States Hockey League takes a team-by-team look ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft.

The Dubuque Fighting Saints have had at least one player selected in seven of the last eight NHL Drafts.

Dubuque did not have a player drafted in 2023, but including forward Matthew Savoie, who was chosen ninth overall by Buffalo in 2022, dating back to the 1999-00 season the Fighting Saints have had 39 players selected in the NHL Draft.

Savoie is the highest-drafted former Fighting Saint and is followed by Zemgus Girgensons (Buffalo - 14th Overall, 2012), Landon Wilson (Toronto - 19th Overall, 1993), Mike Matheson (Florida - 23rd Overall, 2012) and Peter Ferraro (New York Rangers - 24th Overall, 1992).

Top Prospects for 2024

Joona Vaisanen, Defense
Central Scouting Rank: #83
College Commitment: Western Michigan

A native of Espoo, Finland, Vaisanen recorded 40 points with nine goals and 31 assists for the Dubuque Fighting Saints in 2023-24. Named All-USHL First Team and committed to Western Michigan, Vaisanen ranked fourth amongst all USHL defensemen in scoring and his +31 rating tied for fourth. 

James Reeder, Forward
Central Scouting Rank: #92
College Commitment: Denver

An alternate captain for the Fighting Saints in 2023-24, Reeder tallied 60 points on 20 goals and 40 assists in 53 games in his second season in the USHL. The Glenview, Ill., native notched 10 points on eight goals and two assists in six games in helping Team USA to a Bronze Medal at this year’s World Junior A Challenge.

Jake Sondreal, Forward
Central Scouting Rank: #173
College Commitment: Boston College

A captain for the Fighting Saints in 2023-24, Sondreal was named All-USHL Third Team. The Woodbury, Minn., native finished the 2023-24 regular season ranking 10th in scoring with 69 points (27 goals and 42 assists) in 60 games with the Dubuque Fighting Saints and finished tied for 10th in the USHL in assists.

Erik Pahlsson, Forward
Central Scouting Rank: #177
College Commitment: Minnesota

The native of Landskrona, Sweden, Pahlsson finished sixth in the USHL in scoring with 72 points on 28 goals and 44 assists in 57 games played. The left-hand shooting forward ranked second on the Fighting Saints in scoring and his 44 assists tied for sixth in the USHL. He had a +23 rating and put 168 shots on goal.

The USHL has had 50-or-more players selected in each of the last six NHL Drafts, with a league-best 57 chosen in 2022 and 2018. In all the USHL has seen 1,041 of its players selected in total, with at least one player taken in each draft but one dating back to 1981.