2014 NHL Draft: Matt Ustaski selected by Winnipeg Jets in 7th round

	Class	Position	Shoots	Height	Weight
	2014	Center	Left	6'6	225
	Team		Hometown		DOB
	Langley Rivermen (BCHL)		Glenview, Ill.		5/27/1994

When you're a 6'6 center that can skate, people are going to find ways to give you an opportunity. After being passed over in his first two seasons of eligibility, the Winnipeg Jets made Matt Ustaski their seventh-round pick in the 2014 NHL Draft on Saturday.

"It feels great," Ustaski said after being picked. "It's been a great experience here in Philadelphia (at the Draft). I'm really happy to be selected by Winnipeg."

Ustaski, who hails from Glenview, Illinois, and went to high school at Lake Forest Academy, spent the past two seasons in the British Columbia Hockey League with the Langley Rivermen.

In addition to his size, Ustaski skates very well and has offensive capabilities. Ustaski registered 29 goals and 49 points in 54 games for the Rivermen last season, taking his game to another level in the second half of the season.

Ustaski committed to Wisconsin after visiting Madison on an official visit in October. He also took official visits to Colgate and Ohio State, and had another set up with Cornell. Ustaski also heard from schools like Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Union and Princeton.

"I've made some pretty big leaps over the past three or four years," Ustaski said. "I think going to Wisconsin is going to help me get even better.

"Obviously at Wisconsin there are a lot of NHL'ers that have played (for the Badgers), so I'm really looking forward to developing my game there."

It remains to be seen if he'll play center or the wing as a freshman, but given his size/skill package, Wisconsin will find a place for him in the lineup. Ustaski is also expected to be a net-front presence on the power play.

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