CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game: Seamus Malone, Keegan Ford receive invites

Wisconsin recruits Keegan Ford and Seamus Malone have been invited by USA Hockey to play in the second annual CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game. The event features 40 of the top American prospects eligible for the 2014 NHL Draft.

The game will take place Sept. 26 at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pa., home of the National Hockey League's Pittsburgh Penguins.

"This event has quickly grown into a great opportunity for America's best young players to showcase their skills at a national level," said former Badger Jim Johannson, now USA Hockey's assistant executive director of hockey operations. "The Pittsburgh Penguins have been a terrific partner in putting on this game, which will feature the future stars of the NHL."

Malone (Naperville, Ill.) and Ford (Waunakee, Wis.) are members of the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League. The duo helped lead the Fighting Saints to both the regular and post season USHL championships last year.

Ford, a 5-foot-9, 180-pound defenseman, registered four goals and 17 points in 51 games and was +22 for Dubuque last season while registering 94 penalty minutes. Malone, a 5-foot-9, 174-pound forward, collected eight goals and 30 points in 59 games and was +13 while adding 44 penalty minutes.

Both Ford and Malone are over in Russia right now with the Fighting Saints where they are playing in the Junior Club World Cup in Omsk.

Additional Notes: Wisconsin women's coach Mark Johnson will coach one team, while former NHL'er Joe Mullen will coach the opposing squad.

Mequon, Wis., native and Notre Dame recruit Anders Bjork and Verona, Wis., native and North Dakota recruit Nick Schmaltz also received invitations to play in the game.

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