The North American 3 Hockey League held their annual draft on April 23 with all teams participating. Butte Cobras were among them, selecting four players.
Established in 2014, the Cobras are ready for season three in the NA3HL. The team is looking to improve after a six-victory season which saw them looking up from the bottom of the eight-team Frontier Division.
Originally a member of the WSHL, Butte are hoping to recapture some of the success it found during its three-season run there. The 2016-17 season was its best when the team went 32-18-2. A playoff run lasted into the third round.
Butte used its first pick to select Jack Davidson, a defenseman from Stoney Creek High School in Rochester Hills, Michigan. A team captain, the 6’2 blueliner posted 19 points in 26 games last season.
Another Stoney Creek product was selected with by the Cobras next in forward Nick VanGoethem.
Butte used their final two picks on a pair of young prospects from Coeur d’Alene Hockey Academy. Jadyn Hofacker played with the U16 team while Lance Insko – brother of Cobras d-man Cade – put up 49 points for the U14 squad.
Despite the lack of wins last season the Cobras roster featured two of the top 13 league leading scorers. Tyson Stovin (40 goals, 47 assists) and Kyler Garsjo (35 goals, 41 assists) who along with Robin Bagley (22 goals, 41 assists) provided much of the scoring and all are eligible to return in 2020-21.
With strong support from the local community the Butte Cobras are raising expectations for the future. Find more on the team at http://na3hl.com/teams/team-detail.cfm?id=333.
Butte Cobras NA3HL Draft recap
34 Jack Davidson, D, Stoney Creek (MI) HS – 26 GP: 8 g, 11 a
68 Nick VanGoethem, F, Stoney Creek (MI) HS – 24 GP: 5 g, 5 a
98 Jadyn Hofacker, F, Coeur d’Alene Hockey Academy U16
113 Lance Insko, F, Coeur d’Alene Hockey Academy U14