USHL Draft Primer

The USHL Draft kicks off later this afternoon with the Phase I Draft (4 p.m. ET), followed by the Phase II Draft tomorrow (May 5) at 2 p.m. ET. For those who are new to the process, here’s a primer that details what the draft process means and what the processes are after the draft is complete.

First, the Phase I Draft (4 p.m. ET on Monday) will be 10 rounds of “futures” players. Players who are U17 for next season are eligible to be picked in this portion of the draft. For the 2020 Phase I Draft, that means players in the 2004 birth year qualify for this phase.

The Phase II Draft is open to all players eligible for junior hockey who are not currently on a USHL protected list. The draft doesn’t have a set number of rounds, and will continue until every team has a total of 45 players on their list. The 45 players will include new draft picks as well as players who were already on a team’s affiliate list. Every roster player from last season is automatically protected, separate from the list of 45 players.

After the draft is over, teams will have their tryouts. This process usually takes place in June and July, but with the coronavirus pandemic, the league schedule could change. Typically, all players, including new draft picks, will be brought to training camps (although some players not planning to play in the USHL can decline the invitation). By July 10, every team must have their rosters down to a 30-man protected list and a 19-man affiliate list. Before the season starts, team rosters need to be cut to 23 players and teams are allowed to carry 18 players on their affiliate lists.