Ludtke Appears on NHL Central Scouting Preliminary List
October 27, 2022 – United States Hockey League (USHL) – Lincoln Stars News Release
Two Stars, one past and one present, appeared on the NHL Central Scouting Preliminary List for the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
Stars forward Tanner Ludtke and former Stars defenseman Luke Mittelstadt both earned “C” rating, meaning that they are fourth, fifth or sixth-round candidates.
“It’s a nice recognition of Tanner’s early season accomplishments,” Stars head coach Rocky Russo said. “At the end of the day being on that list or not being on that list doesn’t make a difference in regards to whether you get drafted at the end of the year or not. Aidan Thompson and Noah Laba were never on the list and managed to get drafted in the third and fourth rounds, respectively, last year. We had four guys on that list to start the year and only one of them got drafted when it came time. I’m certainly proud of Tanner and we as an organization hope he can continue to raise his draft stock over the course of the year and hear his name called in June.”
Ludtke, 17, is second on the Stars with 10 points (4+6) through seven games. His four goals are tied for second on the team and has collected those goal with two different multi-goal games. Ludtke scored one goal in 24 games with the Stars last season and is committed to play at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
“It’s a start in the right direction,” Ludtke said. “I don’t pay too much attention to it just because it is a long year and a lot can change. I just try to stick to what I do, stay humble and keep moving forward.”
Mittelstadt, 19, played in 12 games with the Stars in the 2020-21 season, accruing two goals and an assist. He went on to play with the Madison Capitols last year and recorded 55 points (19+36) in 60 games. Mittelstadt is now with the University of Minnesota and has two assists in his first six games.
NHL Central Scouting will release a midterm list in the winter before a final list is revealed prior to the Draft in late June.
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