(Green Bay, WI) – The Green Bay Gamblers took part in the Cedar Rapids and Madison Dispersal Draft on Monday. Both Cedar Rapids and Madison requested and received approval from the USHL to withdraw from participation in the 2020-21 season due to building damages and COVID-19 county restrictions, respectively. Players selected in the dispersal draft return to Cedar Rapids and Madison rosters upon their return to the league for the 2021-22 season.
Green Bay selected forward Ryan Kirwan and defenseman Cade Penney.
Kirwan (6’2/194), played last season with Madison, notching a team-high 25 goals. Kirwan, who is committed to Penn State, finished the season with 41 points in 50 games. The DeWitt, New York native was selected to the 2019-2020 USHL All-Rookie Team.
Penney (6’0/165), spent last in the NAHL with the New Jersey Titans. Penney, who was selected 17th overall in the 2020 USHL Entry Draft by Madison, collected 30 points in 51 games with the Titans. Penney is committed to New Hampshire. The White Rock, British Columbia native was named to the 2019-2020 NAHL All-East Division Team.
The Gamblers also secured the rights to forwards Carson Bantle and Timofei Khokhlachev for the 2020-2021 season. Bantle (6/4/201), led Madison in scoring last year, notching 49 points in 49 games. The Onalaska, Wisconsin native will be a freshman this season at Michigan Tech.
Khokhlachev (6’4/210), spent this past year in the NAHL with the Shreveport Mudbugs. The forward from Moskva, Russia tallied 33 points in 51 games for the Mudbugs last season. Khokhlachev is committed to AIC.
Kirwan and Penney will report to Green Bay and take part in the team’s training camp. The 26th season of Gamblers hockey in Northeast Wisconsin begins the first weekend in November. Stay tuned to the Gamblers website (www.gamblershockey.com ) and Facebook page for team roster, schedule and ticket information.
