Four Elite League Players Go In First Round of NHL Draft

New Hope, Minn. – Four players who competed in the Upper Midwest High School Elite League were selected in tonight’s NHL Entry Draft, a new record for the league.

Chosen tonight were:

• Defenseman Derek Forbort of Duluth, chosen #15 overall by the Los Angeles Kings
• Center Nick Bjugstad of Blaine, chosen #19 by the Florida Panthers
• Winger Emerson Etem, formerly of Shattuck-St. Mary’s, chosen #29 by the Anaheim Ducks
• Center Brock Nelson of Warroad, chosen #30 by the New York Islanders
  

“This is an exciting night for these young men, and for our league,” said Elite League founder and Commissioner John Russo. “This is a testament to their hard work and talent, and the entire league extends its congratulations.”

The selections come one year after two Elite League players – Nick Leddy and Jordan Schroeder - were chosen in the first round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. A total of 17 Elite League players were chosen in 2009.

Another 19 players from the Elite League are on the NHL Central Scouting Service’s rankings and are eligible to be selected when the draft continues Saturday.

The Upper Midwest High School Elite League is a non-profit hockey league designed to provide high-level competition supplementing the regular high school hockey season. For more information, and draft-day updates, visit the league’s website at www.hselitehockey.com.