SPHL dispersal draft helps stock new teams

HUNTSVILLE, AL – Jim Combs, Commissioner of the Southern Professional Hockey League’s Commissioner announced Wednesday afternoon that the dispersal draft of players for the now defunct Richmond Renegades and the Twin City Cyclones had been completed.   Sixteen players were selected as expansion teams Mississippi, Lafayette and Pensacola were able to draft up to six players from the rosters of the two former SPHL teams. Lafayette chose to only draft four players and skipped the last two rounds.   A number of quality players were among the group selected. Taylor Hustead, Rookie of the Year in the 2007-08 season, and the 2008-09 Rookie of the Year, Michael Richard were taken by Pensacola and Mississippi respectively. Lafayette picked up rugged defenseman Phil Sbrocchi from the Twin City Cyclones. Pensacola also selected Richmond standouts Ryan Busby and Trevor Karasiewicz.   Former Renegades and Cyclones’ players who were not drafted are now free agents and can be signed by any SPHL team or look to play in other leagues. The drafted players and their former teams are as follows:  

Mississippi                            Michael Richard-F / Twin City

John Halverson-D / Richmond Shane Wagner-D / Twin City Justin Joy-F / Richmond Ryan Senft-G / Richmond Ryan Bartle-D / Twin City         Lafayette                             Daryl Moore-F / Twin City Phil Sbrocchi-D / Twin City Beau McLaughlin-F / Richmond Jordan Weibel-D / Richmond

Pensacola                       Ryan Busby-F / Richmond                                  Taylor Hustead-F / Twin City Chad Swartzentruber-D / Twin City Trevor Karasiewicz– F / Richmond Ryan Scott-G / Richmond Jim Jensen-D / Twin City