Four Bruins Selected in USHL Phase II Draft

May 4, 2016

Left to Right: Notermann, Paganelli, Rueschhoff, O'Connor

Four current members of the Bruins plus one tender were selected in Tuesday’s USHL Phase II Draft. Forwards Luke Notermann, Jacob Paganelli, and Austin Rueschhoff were all picked, along with defensemen Paul O’Connor and Jaden Shields.

Notermann (’97), a University of Minnesota commit and native of Blaine, MN, was selected fourth overall by the Madison Capitols. Notermann scored two goals and added one assist in 12 games played with the Bruins over the regular season. He was tendered by the Bruins in December and committed to the Golden Gophers in late January.

Paganelli (’97), was selected in the fourth round (51st overall) by the Omaha Lancers. A native of Verona, NJ, he finished third on the Bruins in points with 43 (13 goals, 30 assists) in 49 regular season games. He’s got seven points (4 goals, 3 assists) in five postseason games so far. Paganelli is committed to Princeton.

Rueschhoff (’97), went 93rd overall in round six to the Dubuque Fighting Saints. The 6’6 Wentzville, MO native made a living on the power play, scoring 12 of his 19 goals on the man-advantage. His 31 regular season points placed him fifth on the team.

Shields (’99), was tendered by the Bruins in February after playing two games (January 29th and 30th) with Austin as an affiliate player. He was chosen in the 9th round at 135th overall by the Sioux City Musketeers. From Royal Oak, MI, Shields played most of the 2015-16 season with the Little Caesars U16 team in the HPHL.

O’Connor (96), was chosen by the Green Bay Gamblers in the 13th round (213th overall). The veteran defenseman from St. Peters, MO suited up four times for the Gamblers this season, surrounded by 58 games with Austin. The steady blue-liner also contributed to the offense with 20 points, 17 of them, assists. He has also scored two goals in six Bruins playoff games. O’Connor played 50 games in the USHL from 2012-14 as a member of the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders.

The United States Hockey League (USHL) is the top junior hockey league in the United States, and the only USA Hockey Sanctioned Tier I league. Although drafted by USHL teams, any of the above players who do not break training camp with their respective clubs are eligible to return to the Bruins next season.