2025 USHL Draft Review: Chicago Steel
Taking a closer look at the Chicago Steel's 2025 USHL Draft class with quotes from Assistant General Manager and Director of Scouting Bobby Goepfert.
With seven defensemen, seven forwards, and one goalie selected, the Chicago Steel’s 2025 USHL Phase I Draft board reflected balance.
According to Assistant General Manager and Director of Scouting Bobby Goepfert, the 2009 birth year offered exceptional depth across positions, giving the organization a chance to stockpile high-ceiling talent.
That long-term lens is critical. The Phase I portion is about projecting what a 15-year-old player might become at 17 or 18.
One of the cornerstones of this year’s additions is tender signing James Scantlebury—a dynamic forward with elite hockey IQ and work ethic.
The 16-year-old, hailing from Montreal, had 35 goals and 100 points with the Bishop Kearney Selects 16U team this past season. Scantlebury also played above his age group with the 18U team, recording a goal and five assists in an eight-game sample.
“What I appreciate most, and what is unique and special about him, is he works every shift,” Goepfert said. "Every time you see him, he sells out every shift, just emptying the tank. His competitive edge and passion he plays with to go along with the skillset is something we're so excited about.”
The Steel had their eye on him early, but Scantlebury’s decision took time as he weighed various options. He ultimately felt that the USHL was best for his development.
Because of the tender signing rule, Chicago made their first draft pick in the second round of Phase I, taking defenseman Trevor Shorter No. 17 overall.
On the surface, Shorter’s size — listed at 6-foot-6 and 185 pounds — already stands out as a player with an NHL frame. The Elmhurst, Illinois native, who turns 16 in October, recorded six goals and 36 points with the Chicago Mission 15U team this past season.
For a team that prioritizes building from the back end, Shorter fits right in with the Steel. The organization believes their teaching methods and support systems can help maximize his potential.
“You win with trees, not bushes,” Goepfert said, referencing Shorter’s durable frame.
The Steel also selected his twin brother, Nolan, in the eighth round. A forward, Nolan had 12 goals and 34 points with the Mission in 2024-25.
Here is the entire Chicago Steel’s Phase I Draft class:
1.2 - James Scantlebury, F (Tender)
2.17 - Trevor Shorter, RD
3.32 - Reese Tracy, LW
3.38 - Kage Flory, LD
4.47 - Elliott Schultz, RD
5.62 - Camillo Milani, LW
5.64 - Jackson Mahley, LD
6.77 - Kaden Mote, C
7.92 - Logan Urben, LD
8.107 - Nolan Shorter, LW
9.122 - Luke Warrener, RD
10.137 - Karter Lundmark, LW
11.152 - Anthony Sargo, C
12.167 - Alex Wang, G
13.182 - Dean Deschamps, C
14.196 - Malik L'Italien, LD
While the Phase I portion is about potential, Phase II is plug-and-play.
The focus shifts to filling roster holes with players ready to contribute immediately. This year, that meant five defensemen, two goalies, and four forwards.
Again, it was another healthy mix of players.
However, for the second year in a row, Chicago selected a U.S. National Team Development Program defenseman seeking a third year of development.
Top pick Garrett Lindberg, selected No. 2 overall in the first round, stands out as a steady, reliable blue-liner with league experience and leadership traits. The North Dakota commit tallied a pair of goals and ten points with the NTDP U18 team this past season.
For the Steel, taking Lindberg was a no-brainer for what the team is trying to accomplish next season.
“He's super smart,” Goepfert said. “He can play in all situations — five-on-five, power play, PK — we see him at … We're always one of the youngest teams in the league, so having the right people to lead the ship inside the room is important.”
Following selections of Sam Caulfield — a 6-foot-3 goaltender who saw 22 games of action in the NAHL last season — and defenseman Jayden Kurtz, the Steel took the high-flying Dustin Willhöft.
The 18-year-old forward, although undersized at 5-foot-8 and 132 pounds, was the top-scoring player on Jungadler Mannheim U20 last season with 33 goals and 91 points in 35 games.
Willhöft also represented Team Germany at the U18 Worlds where he potted three goals and five points in a five-game sample.
Chicago did their homework on Willhöft, conducting Zoom meetings with the player and his agent prior to the Phase II portion to determine what he was seeking in terms of the next step in his development.
Ultimately, the Steel felt he could be a big piece of their scoring in 2025-26.
“He's incredibly smart and creative, a level of dynamicness to him,” Goepfert said of Willhöft. “He's shifty. Yes, he's undersized, so it might be a little bit of adjustment on the small sheet, but at the same time, being down (at the U18 Worlds), he was a really effective player. He sees the ice extremely well. He has a high hockey sense. The stick skills and impact that he can have in our league next year is something that we're really excited about.”
Here is the entire Chicago Steel’s Phase II Draft class:
1.2 - Garrett Lindberg, RD
5.67 - Samuel Caulfield, G
6.90 - Jayden Kurtz, RD
8.129 - Dustin Willhoeft, C
9.144 - Michal Marsalek, RD
10.159 - Filip Novak, LW
11.174 - Jonathan Lanza, RD
12.189 - Arseni Radkov, G
13.204 - Joseph Erickson, RW
14.219 - Kyle Greene, C
15.234 - Jason Millett, LD