Opilka spent hours and hours driving from Effingham to St. Louis and back to play hockey, with his brothers doing the same. It got to the point where his family relocated to St. Louis after Opilka finished sixth grade, cutting down the travel time for hockey-related pursuits.
For goaltender Luke Opilka from USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, being drafted by his favorite team, the St. Louis Blues, was a wonderful moment.
But it got even better when the fifth-round pick (No. 146), a St. Louis native, reached the Blues’ draft table on the floor of BB&T Center. One of the first team officials he met was assistant general manager Martin Brodeur.
Opilka, 18, has spent the past two seasons in the U.S. National Team Developmental Program (USNTDP). In 2014-15, the St. Louis native made 33 appearances with the U-18 club in the United States Hockey League (USHL), recording a 2.70 goals against average, a .888 save percentage and three shutouts.
The second pick of the fifth round, No. 146, landed local goaltender Luke Opilka, who was born in Effingham, IL.
Opilka, 18, has spent the past two seasons in the U.S. National Team Developmental Program (USNTDP). In 2014-15, the St. Louis native made 33 appearances with the U-18 club in the United States Hockey League (USHL), recording a 2.70 goals against average, a .888 save percentage and three shutouts.
Wisconsin sophomore defenseman Jack Dougherty and incoming goaltender Luke Opilka are among the 39 players invited to the 2015 U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp, USA Hockey announced on Thursday. The camp runs Aug. 1-8 in Lake Placid, New York.
Earlier this month Ottawa Senators’ prospect Chris Wideman won the Eddie Shore Award as the AHL’s top defenseman. Yet, despite an incredibly successful season in Binghamton, Wideman is most likely leaving the Senators’ organization come July 1st.
Now, with the confirmation that USHL blue liner Jacob Wilson has committed for the 2016-2017 season, the team has three commits for that year, as well. This is roughly on par with the commits seen for other low-profile DI NCAA hockey programs one full season in advance.
Sioux City Musketeers defenseman Jacob Wilson has committed to play collegiate hockey at Arizona State University following his USHL career.
Centre Ryan MacInnis is Kitchener’s finalist for the Red Tilson Trophy for Most Outstanding Player of the Year. The Arizona Coyotes signee had 25 goals and 37 assists in 67 games this past season and was recognized by the Rangers as the team’s Most Valuable Player.
