RoadRunners Draft Recap
Another year, another exciting Draft Day in the NAHL. The RoadRunners took four players in this year’s draft, going with two defensemen and two forwards. Here’s a brief look at the RoadRunner’s draft and the players involved.
1st Round Pick (22nd Overall): Christian Meike, Defenseman
A ’96 out of Arlington, Va, Meike is listed at 5-11, weighs in at 150lbs and spent 2012-2013 playing for the Tier I Midget Washington Little Capitals. In 43 games, Meike had 16 points (2 goals, 14 assists), three of which came on powerplays, and a game winner. Meike would add another goal during the team’s four game playoff run. Committed to the University of Michigan, Meike is described by Assistant Coach Josh Kamrass, “Christian is an above average skater, competes extremely hard. Makes extremely smart decisions with the puck. Christian is a player that can adapt to the Junior game very quick.”
2nd Round (Pick Traded to the Odessa Jackalopes)
The RoadRunners sacrificed this pick to Odessa as compensation for last season’s trade for Tyler Poulsen.
3rd Round Pick (71st Overall): Avni Berisha, Defenseman
This Keystone State native hails from Doylestown, PA, and logged in eight games with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the USHL. Berisha spent 2011-2012 with Team Comcast 18U, running up 12pts in 38 games. He is 5-10/196 and will turn 19 years old on June 15. The coaching staff is impressed with his USHL experience and believe that he could be a valuable addition to the defensive zone. Head Coach Scott Langer had this to say about Avni, “Avni is a player that is full of character. He is a mature player that has spent time with the Cedar Rapids Roughriders. Our scouts have watched him play from midgets to juniors. He is very competitive.”
4th Round Pick (96th Overall): Austin Beaulieu, Forward
Out of Coral Springs, Fl, Beaulieu came to the RoadRunners attention while playing for the TPH Thunder where he chalked up 43pts in 40 games last season. At 5-9/160, Beaulieu is described by the coaching staff as an “intelligent, skilled, hard working player with a lot of upside.” This past season, Austin’s team won a bronze medal at nationals.
5th Round Pick (118th Overall): Ron Greco, Forward
Formerly of Team Comcast, Greco is 18yo and calls Philadelphia home. The 5-10/168 forward is described as “a great two-way player who is very sound on both offense and defense. He’s very hard working and doesn’t mind getting his nose dirty.”
The RoadRunner coaches are very pleased with the draft results. “I’d say we got everything the we were looking for in this draft,” said Assistant Coach Kamrass. “These guys have the kind of attributes and qualities that fit right in with the team we are looking to build.”