USHL MAKES HISTORY AT 2012 NHL DRAFT - Junior Hockey News

It was a historic night for the USHL at the 2012 NHL Draft as six players who spent the 2011-12 season in the USHL were chosen in the first round, surpassing the previous record of four first-rounders from the League in one draft year.

The big night began when Team USA defenseman Jacob Trouba was selected ninth overall by the Winnipeg Jets.  Just five picks later, the Buffalo Sabres would make a trade to acquire the 14^th overall selection, and with that pick they chose Dubuque Fighting Saints forward Zemgus Girgensons.

It was another Dubuque Fighting Saints player selected 23^rd overall when the Florida Panthers took defenseman Mike Matheson.  It would only be two picks later that another USHL defenseman heard his name called when the St. Louis Blues drafted Jordan Schmaltz of the Green Bay Gamblers 25^thoverall.

A pair of Team USA members rounded out the night for the USHL when defenseman Brady Skjei and forward Stefan Matteau were selected with consecutive picks, Skjei going 28^th overall to the New York Rangers and Matteau following at 29^th to the New Jersey Devils.

The Dubuque Fighting Saints got another piece of good news when their top choice in the recent USHL Entry Draft heard his name called on Friday night at the NHL Draft.  Forward Mark Jankowski was selected 21^st overall to the Calgary Flames after the Saints took him 11^th overall exactly a month ago in the 2012 USHL Entry Draft.

One USHL alum was also selected in the first round on Friday night asHenrik Samuelsson was picked 27^th overall by the Phoenix Coyotes.  The forward spent the 2010-11 season in the USHL with Team USA.

The 2012 NHL Draft continues on Saturday with rounds 2-7.  Full coverage of USHL players at the draft can be found throughout the weekend onwww.USHL.com