UNH Commit Lucas Bahn Selected in USHL Draft

Defenseman Lucas Bahn
Drafted by Waterloo Black Hawks

On Tuesday, the United States Hockey League held its Phase II Draft for players born between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 2000. The 16 USHL teams used 24 rounds to select players who could compete for spots on the 2016-17 roster. The players came from a wide variety of teams including high school, prep, and junior teams from both the United States and Canada. Three players committed to the University of New Hampshire - Lucas Bahn (defenseman), Mike Robinson (goalie), and Charlie Kelleher (center/winger) - were drafted by USHL teams.

Lucas Bahn - Defenseman

Lucas Bahn (DOB: 9/11/1999), a right-shot defenseman was selected by the Waterloo Black Hawks in the 7th Round of the USHL Entry Draft. Waterloo did not have a pick in the first two rounds so Bahn was their 5th selection. Overall, he was the 112th pick in the draft.

Bahn, a native of Hendersonville, Tennessee, verbally committed to UNH a little over a month ago on March 27. Last season, the 5'9", 150 lbs., right-shot defenseman played for the Skipjacks Hockey Club 16U and 18U teams. In 26 regular season games with the Skipjacks 16U, Bahn scored 3 goals including 1 power play goal and 1 game-winning goal, and dished out 13 assists including 5 on the power play. He was the 8th leading scorer among all defensemen in the USPHL 16U League. He also scored a goal in the USPHL 16U Playoffs and posted 2 goals in 9 regular season games with the 18U team.

When Lucas Bahn committed to UNH in March, his plan was to play for the Skipjacks 18U in the USPHL next season. Now he will have the opportunity to try out for the Waterloo Black Hawks this summer. His target date for enrollment at UNH is the Fall of either 2018 or 2019.

I had an opportunity to interview Lucas, via email, on his selection by the Waterloo Black Hawks:

Mike Lowry ("C-H-C"): Congratulations on being selected by the Waterloo Black Hawks in the 7th round of the 2016 USHL Phase II Draft. Do you plan on attending Waterloo's tryout camp in June and their training camp in late August to compete for a spot on their 23-player active roster for 2016-17?

Lucas Bahn: Thank you very much, I appreciate that! Yes, it is an incredible opportunity to be drafted by Waterloo, and I look forward to participating in their tryout camp as well as competing for a spot on the roster! The coaching staff has given me an unbelievable opportunity, and I intend to make the most of it!

Mike Lowry: What would the opportunity to play in the USHL offer you in terms developing specific areas of your game?

Lucas Bahn: The USHL is obviously an incredible league, not only for exposure but also development. Personally, it would be incredibly effective in terms of my development as a player because the players in the USHL are bigger, faster, and stronger therefore providing the best players to play against and improve myself. I would like to continue to improve my speed, and the USHL is the perfect place to do that.