Players from the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut region have found success when heading to the USHL’s Chicago Steel.
In the 2019 NHL draft, Robert Mastrosimone (East Islip, N.Y.) and Nick Abruzzese (Slate Hill, N.Y.) were plucked by the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs, respectively, after stellar seasons with the Steel.
The 2021 NHL draft again will bring good fortune to Steel players from the region. Left wing Matt Coronato (New York, N.Y.), right wing Mackie Samoskevich (Newtown, Conn.) and defenseman Ryan Ufko (Smithtown, N.Y.) are enjoying great seasons — individually and as a team — for the Steel, the top team in the USHL’s Eastern Conference.
The 2021 draft class isn’t a deep one when it comes to the United States in general. That holds true for the tri-state region, but there are still a handful of players from the region who very likely will hear their names called in the first 100 picks.
