MUSKEGON, Michigan (May 15th) – In preparation for the upcoming 2014 NHL Entry Draft in June, the Muskegon Lumberjacks are pleased to announce that Forward Matt Iacopelli has been invited as one of 119 draft-eligible prospects to attend the 2014 NHL Scouting Combine being held in Toronto, Ontario from May 26th-31st.
Iacopelli, the Woodhaven, Michigan native, is one of 27 players with USHL ties attending the annual scouting event and comes into the draft rated as the 98th-best North American skating prospect according to NHL Central Scouting.
“It’s a great feeling and an honor to be selected to participate in the Scouting Combine alongside some of the best junior and college players in the game today,” said Iacopelli. “I’m going to enjoy my experience (in Toronto) to the fullest and have some fun along the way while putting forth my best effort in front of every NHL team there.”
In his first year with the Lumberjacks this past season, Iacopelli led the USHL with 41 goals posted that ranked as the third-most in the USHL Tier I era (2002-present) and was tied for seventh with 63 points notched in 58 games played. In addition, the future Western Michigan Bronco led the Lumberjacks with a plus-12 rating.
This year’s NHL Scouting Combine consists of 101 North American and 18 International prospects and features an extensive interview process with each NHL team from May 26th-30th, medical examinations on May 30th, and a fitness portion, headed up by Dr. Norman Gledhill and his York University (Toronto) Fitness staff, on May 31st at the Toronto International Centre.
The 2014 NHL Entry Draft takes place from June 27-28th at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Muskegon Lumberjacks are proud members of the United States Hockey League, the nation’s only Tier I junior hockey league and the leading producer of NCAA players and National Hockey League draft picks in the United States. The Lumberjacks’ organization prides itself on developing not just premier hockey talent, but also exceptional young men outside the arena of sports. For more information, visit www.muskegonlumberjacks.com.
