Smithtown, N.Y., native Ryan Ufko was selected No. 115 overall in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. (Chicago Steel)
Many prospects who expect to be selected in the National Hockey League draft either attend the event or stay at home with family and friends and watch the draft on television.
This wasn’t the case for Smithtown, N.Y., native Ryan Ufko, an 18-year-old defenseman who’s coming off his second season with the Chicago Steel in the United States Hockey League.
Ufko, who was listed 43rd among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings for the 2021 NHL draft, found himself in a relatively unique position with this year’s edition being held on July 23-24, a month later than usual, and virtually.
