The North American Hockey League held its annual draft on June 7th and four Virtua Hockey (formerly Team Comcast) players were drafted. Jon Bendorf was the first player selected for Team Comcast. Jon was selected 23rd overall to the Wichita Falls Wildcats. Bendorf, also selected in the USHL Futures Draft in 2015 by the Madison Capitals, just finished his first season of 18U. “As a ‘99 playing 18U, we could not be happier with Jon’s performance this year” said Coach Hall. Jon finished second on the team with points this year netting 25 goals and 28 assists for a total of 53 points.
 
Jordin Holmes was the second player selected, at 27th overall, to the Kenai River Brown Bears.  As a ‘97, Holmes just finished a successful youth hockey career with Team Comcast. Coach Hall says “Jordin is a phenomenal young man who has put in a tremendous amount of time to earn a roster spot at the junior level. Jordin offers great speed, physicality, and the ability to jump up in the offense.”
 
At the 57th pick, the Springfield Jr. Blues selected defenseman Connor Matsinger. Connor returned to Team Comcast this past season to play 18U and had a rebirth to his career. “Matsinger came to us this year looking to reestablish himself and he did just that” said Coach Hall. Hall continued to say, “Connor quickly impressed the staff with his ability to have an impact in each and every game. His impact was also felt off the ice as he was a tremendous leader for our D core all season long.”
 
Carson Beckett, another long time Team Comcast player, was selected by Wilkes-Barre Scranton at 245th. Beckett is one of the teams original 98’s who started at the Squirt Minor level. Coach Hall describes Carson as, “ Beckett is a terrific energy player. He has great speed and quick shot. In addition, he was one of our most reliable players on the PK this year.”
 
These four draft picks, along with Tropea’s tender to Shreveport, puts Team Comcast’s/Virtua Hockey’s total at five players moving on to junior hockey in the North American Hockey League.
 
In addition, Matt Cassidy is expected to solidify a spot with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL after being selected in the 2015 Futures Draft.  

Also,

The Virtua Youth Hockey Club (formerly Team Comcast) is proud to announce that Mario Tropea has accepted a tender offer to play for the Shreveport Mudbugs in the North American Hockey League for the 2016-17 season. Tropea, a 97 birth year, has just finished a successful “youth hockey career” with the Team Comcast organization which started way back in his squirt minor year.  Over the years of playing with Team Comcast, Mario has proven that if you stick with the process you will earn your opportunity to advance in this game.
 
Over the past two seasons at the Midget Major level, Tropea has become a standout player for the club. In his second major season, Mario was a key contributor to the team’s success both on and off the ice. On the ice, Mario posted 17 goals, 31 assists and 48 points. “His ability to create offense for his line mates is truly a skill that not everyone has” says Coach Hall. He continues to say “Off the ice, Tropea was a  leader that everyone respected and looked up to. His guidance for our younger players was a major reason his team came together so quickly”  
 
The Virtua Youth Hockey Club (formerly Team Comcast) wishes Mario all the best as he moves up in the hockey ranks. “Mario is one of the most amazing young men I’ve come across in this game and I am honored to have had the opportunity to coach him over the past two season” said Coach Hall.