Previewing the NAPHL: St. Louis Selects

September 17, 2016

The North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) is pleased to announce a series entitled Previewing the NAPHL. Over the course of the next two weeks, the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) will preview each of the organizations in the NAPHL for the 2016-17 season. Each day, leading all the way up to the first event of the season at the NAHL Showcase in Blaine, MN, the league will feature a different organization and take a look at their teams.

St. Louis Selects

Location: St. Louis, Missouri

Member Since: 2009

Teams: 18U, 16U

Coaching Staff: 18U JP Beilsten, 16U Jack Behan

Director: Dennis Coon

The St. Louis Selects AAA Hockey Club hired veteran coach Jack Behan to coach their 16U team this season. Behan has vast experience in player development and a hockey resume that includes 5 National Championships at the Junior level. Behan has coached over 50 NCAA Division I players with 9 who made it to the NHL. Behan is excited about the Selects- “I really feel the Selects have put together a program that develops the total person in regard to academics, athleticism and as an elite hockey player.” Behan shows optimism about his current squad. “I love the work ethic and focus of this group, we have some legit prospects here too, I’m very excited to be a part of their development.”

Behan goes on about the Selects staff: “I have Nathan Hucker coaching our defense who played for me, played Division III at Nichols College and coached with me for 3 season at Juniors. Mark Roof will be working with our goaltenders. We work closely with the 18U staff who also includes coaches who have all played for me and coached with me in the past. It’s a great staff”

The Selects has some players who Behan thinks will catch some attention. “It starts in goal and David Reduzzi will be counted on heavily with Sam Benoist looking to establish his level. On defense returner Ryan Boeck has stood out thus far in practice. I also expect a lot from returning defensemen Justin Reynolds and Jacob Lefton. Up front we have 3 legit top prospects with returning Levi Wright to go with first year players Joe Winkelmann and Eric Brown.” Behan adds “My goal for this year is to develop these hard working players for Junior and College hockey. The process of development is long and tough. I think these players are looking forward to that challenge.”

The St. Louis selects 18u team has high expectations this season and more than enough potential to be a playoff team. They will be a highly relied on its returning veterans up front (Meers, Willis,Russo, Abouelhana ) and its veteran defenseman (Ball,Dahl,Rupp) as well as stand out goaltender Kyle McClellan. The 18u team has 4 NAPHL top prospect attendees in its returning core and have added some top returning 16u Selects players including 16u NAPHL Allstar Dan Barry. Look for the Selects to be a blue collared team in the 16/17 season!

18U notable players

Justin Meers, 1998, Forward

Christian Dahl, 1998, Defense

Samir Abouelhana, 1998, Forward

Jake Russo, 1998, Forward

Dylan Ball, 1998, Defense

Kyle McClellan, 1999, Goalie

Caden Duggan , 1999, Forward

Andy Willis, 1998, Forward

16U notable players

Levi Wright, 2000, Forward

David Reduzzi, 2000, Goalie