Shayne Gostisbehere taken in the 3rd round by Philadelphia Flyers

Sensing a theme?

And just like that, Shayne Gostisbehere's hockey family just got a lot bigger.  At pick number 78, Ghost was taken off the board by the Philadelphia Flyers.  While a tough city to play in, the Flyers organization is a darn good one to be a part of.  Shayne is now the second highest drafted player, the highest drafted skater, and the only defensemen drafted in Union history.  Below are all other players who have been drafted from Union College.

Shayne Gostisbehere – D, 3rd Round (#78), PHI, 2012 NHL Entry Draft
Justin Mrazek - G, 8th Round (#230), WSH, 2004 NHL Entry Draft
Brandon Snee - G, 5th Round (#143), NYR, 2000 NHL Entry Draft
Steve Baker - G, (#44), NYR, 1977 NHL Entry Draft
Kip Churchill - F, (#141), DET, 1977 NHL Entry Draft
Dean Willers - F, (#175), DET, 1977 NHL Entry Draft


It has been 3 and a half decades since a skater has been drafted.  If you'll recall (if you do not, here is a refresher), the Flyers picked up, once upcoming freshman, Andrew Johnston before he got to Union.  I guess the Flyer organization likes our scout's eyes.  From broadstreethockey.com, here is a write up concerning the Flyer's pick up of Shayne.  Congratulations Shayne from all of us here at the ShayneGostisbehereHockeyBlog!!

Shayne Gostisbehere getting a shot at making the 2012 USA Hockey National Junior team

Photo not doctored in any way

For Shayne, I'm sure that the only thing cooler than being invited to the USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp is seeing two articles about him in a row on the glorious UHB.  As long as he keeps making Union Hockey headlines, we'll keep writing!  Ghost is one of forty-six players, one of two ECAC defenseman, invited to take part in USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp this August in Lake Placid, N.Y.  The players invited will all be battling for a spot on the USA Hockey National Junior team, which will be playing in  the 2013 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, Dec. 26, 2012 - Jan. 5, 2013, in Ufa, Russia.  The evaluation camp will take place at Lake Placid's Olympic Center from Aug. 4 - 11.  The camp will hold practices, intrasquad scrimmages, and international games against Sweden and Finland.  For anyone invited, this is a huge honor.  Once again, good luck to Shayne!

Shayne Gostisbehere regarded highly in predraft rankings

Shayne displays the power of a wide stance, 

increasing balance and intimidating less flexible opponents

In HockeysFuture.com's recent post ranking those NCAA talents that are eligible for the draft, Shayne was placed at #4.  As HF states in their write up, Ghost was scouted all year.  Scouts must have liked his steady progression of development throughout the year but were certainly impressed by his playoff success, being named to the ECAC all-tournament team.  Leading the team in silky-smooth dangles, Ghost had the second most points of any defenseman this year as a freshman.  Ghost is a native of Florida and could be projected to be picked in as high as the 3rd round.  Time will tell but it is highly likely the Dutch will be starting next year's season with a drafted player.  That's cool.  For more, check out HockeysFuture's write-up.  Good luck to Shayne on June 22nd/23rd.