SCHWARTZ DRAFTED 14TH BY THE ST. LOUIS BLUES
Friday, June 25, 2010
- For Immediate Release
LOS ANGELES – The Tri-City Storm’s Jaden Schwartz becomes the highest drafted player in franchise history, as the St. Louis Blues selected him with the 14th pick in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
After being selected by the Blues, Schwartz talked mostly about his sister – Mandi Schwartz, who is battling leukemia back home in Wilcox, Saskatchewan.
“…Quickly, I Just would like to say hello to my sister back home in Regina, she is sick in the hospital with cancer, just wanted to say hello to you - Mandi,” Schwartz told the TSN Draft Show after being picked, using his time with James Duthie to acknowledge his older sister. “I miss you [Mandi] and I’ll see you soon.”
Schwartz led the USHL in scoring this past season with 83 points (33 goals, 50 assists), which made him the youngest player to lead the USHL in scoring since 1982-83, when Steve MacSwain of the Dubuque Fighting Saints won the league's scoring title as a 17-year-old. He holds several Storm franchise records that includes single season records in points (83), assists (50), power play goals (16), power play assists (21), power play points (37), short-handed points (7), consecutive-game point streak (13), and the most multi-point games in a season (24).
Storm Head Coach/General Manager Drew Schoneck says that Schwartz, who is the second Storm player ever to be selected in the first round, will only get better as he moves forward in his hockey career.
“The St. Louis Blues are getting a very well-rounded player,” said Schoneck. “I watched Jaden for over 60 games this past season and he does everything well and has excelled all season with us on and off the ice. What makes Jaden unique is that he’s an even better person than player and will be good for many years. The Blues are getting a real winner.”
As Schwartz’s name was being called by Blues Assistant G.M./Director of Amateur Scouting Jarmo Kekalainen, he was surrounded by Storm teammates Brett Mohler, Kenny Brooks, Mario Puskarich, along with Storm Owner Kirk Brooks, who all made the trip in support of him.
“It’s an individual accolade, but Jaden had some tremendous teammates this past season that were extremely supportive of him,” said Schoneck. “We, as the Storm family, couldn’t be more proud of Jaden and what has happened today.”
The Storm are part of the United States Hockey League, which has 16 teams across nine states in the Midwest. Get your season tickets now for the 2010-11 season by calling the Storm office at 308-338-8809.