Danville Dashers Dispersal Draft

After nine seasons of competing in the Federal Prospects Hockey League including one Commissioner Cup Championship  the final act of the Dashers hockey club was completed today. The leagues teams came together to complete the dispersal draft of the final Dashers Roster. 

First order of business saw the completion of a blockbuster trade between the Watertown Wolves and Delaware Thunder. The Wolves sent incredibly talented forward Ryan Marker to the Thunder in exchange for Delaware's first selection in the dispersal draft along with cash considerations. Marker is a three year vet who has tallied over one hundred points in his short time here.

Our newest FPHL team owned by Andreas Johansson the Binghamton Black Bears wasted no time making the first selection overall in today's draft by selecting St.Louis native Sam Turner. Sam is a rookie in the league and is looking to complete his first full season. Eight picks later the Black Bears welcomed another addition to the roster by snagging Kyle Powell who is sure to be a cornerstone from which they will build their team.

The Wolves completed the trade when they selected Ben Boukal with the second overall pick exchanged for Marker. They then picked up Alex Pommerville with the third pick and Scott Coash eleventh overall. Pommerville spent parts of the 2019/20 season on loan to the Huntsville Havoc and Knoxville Ice Bears of the SPHL.

Matt Graham and the Port Huron Prowlers had the fourth choice and used it to obtain Dayton Murray and would also grab Jesse Neher with the twelfth pick today. Jesse Neher had a breakout rookie season with the Dashers scoring thirty points in thirty four games.

The Elmira Enforcers were slated to take picks five and thirteen today but elected to pass on making any selections. As you will recall the Enforcers made it to the finals of the Ignite Cup last season and already have a very sturdy roster going forward.

 Dmitry Kuznetsov was the next player to find a new home joining the Danbury Hat Tricks via pick number six. Kuznetsov is a new talent who has had much success overseas in Denmark and Germany. Hat City also owned the fourteenth selection overall and they opted for Marcus Ortiz. Marcus has extensive experience in the SPHL and ECHL.

Tory McLean who recently played for SAIT in the ACAC has found a new home with the Carolina Thunderbirds, McLean has of yet to have played in the FPHL. Dominick Manochio would be the final addition to the Thunderbirds roster, Manochio is also a relative newcomer to the FPHL. 

Your defending Ignite Cup Champions, the Columbus River Dragons added two more bodies to their line up via Levi Armstrong and Ricky Regala who was the final pick in today's dispersal draft. Regala is already familiar to the club playing two games for them last season recording two assists.

With just one pick in today's draft after dealing their first for Ryan Marker the Delaware Thunder grabbed Justin Brausen. Brausen was a true Dasher player having competed in every season but one in his career for the Danville Dashers. Brausen is also a two time FPHL forward of the year and will likely be a cornerstone piece alongside the recently reacquired Ryan Marker in the ThunderDome.

Written by Mathew Torgerson