The Metro Moose are proud to congratulate Metro Moose defenseman Steven Ruggiero on being drafted 11th overall in the USHL Phase 1 draft by the Youngstown Phantoms. Steven a ’97 defenseman played one year with the Moose. Steven played in 35 games for Moose totaling 2 goals and 8 assists. He was an impressive +20 with 59 hits and 21 blocked shots.
Ruggiero, a big 6’3″ 175 lb defenseman has a ton of upside. Steven was selected in this year’s OHL draft by the Ottawa 67’s. Former Moose Head Coach Craig Doremus said “Steven is a special player. It is not every day you get a kid who has the total package….ability, size, desire and a tremendous personality off the ice. Steven came to us for one year and worked hard and bought into everything the Metro Moose program is about. He fit in from Day one in our dressing room and was respected by his peers both younger and older. Vinny Smith did a great job identifying Steven as a player we wanted on the Moose and he came as advertised. As an organization we couldn’t be more proud or happy for Steven and his family. “
Since the end of last season Steven has been busy with training, preparing himself for the next step in his hockey career. In addition to the two drafts Steven also took part in the US NTDP 97 camp in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The Metro Moose wish Steven and his family nothing but the best as he embarks on the next step on his hockey career.
The good news continued to roll in for the Metro Moose during the Phase 2 of the USHL draft. After having defensemen Steven Ruggiero selected during the Phase 1. draft on Monday night the Moose are proud to announce that Jarrett Meyer and Paul Vella were each selected on Tuesday night.
Meyer, a ’96 was selected by the Omaha Lancers with the 97t” overall pick. Jarrett is a huge 6’7″ 230 pound defenseman who played last season with the Moose. Jarrett skated in 33 games with the Moose tallying 3 goals and 10 assists for 13 points. He was a +15 with 20 blocked shots. Jarrett’s ability to defend and join the rush was big for the Moose and he scored some timely goals throughout the season.
Vella, another ’96 was selected by the Des Moines Buccaneers with the 332nd overall pick. Vella is a gifted offensive player who played last season with the Moose. Paul, a Staten Island, New York native played in 45 games with the Moose. He collected 25 goals while adding 30 assists for 55 points. He was a +33 while and won 63.5 percent of his face-offs. Paul’s ability to create offense and work the power play was big for the Moose all season long.
Former Head Coach Craig Doremus said “This has been a special 48 hours for our organization. The Moose have redefined themselves over the past few seasons due in large part to players such as Steven, Jarrett and Paul. Vinny Smith established a model of youth and player development a few years back and this is exactly what he envisioned. Being able to recruit and sign players of this caliber has helped establish the Moose as one of the premier places to play for young, high end players. We are so happy and proud of these players for what they have accomplished. The USHL continues to be the top junior hockey league in the country and we are honored that three of our players were selected in their draft. I think all three of these young men have bright futures and we are thrilled that they wore the black and purple jerseys of the Metro Moose.”
