John, Thompson selected in USHL Draft

May 10, 2025

The USHL Draft took place this past week and saw a pair of AAA Blue Jackets players get selected in Phase I. Defenseman Cooper John was selected in the 12th round (170th overall) by the Cedar Rapids Roughriders and forward Sawyer Thompson was taken by the Green Bay Gamblers in the 14th round (198th overall). Phase I includes players in the 2009 birth year.

A well-rounded defenseman, John scored 6 goals, 26 assists and 32 points this past season to lead all OBJ blueliners. He was also recently selected by the Oshawa Generals in the OHL Priority Selection Draft. A rangy and skilled forward, Thompson scored 32 goals and 26 assists in 52 games with Seacoast Performance Academy. He will return home to Columbus in 2025-26 to once again play for the AAA Blue Jackets at the 16U level.

"We are excited for both Cooper and Sawyer on being selected in the USHL Draft," said head coach Josh Harrold. "It is an honor to be drafted and a credit to their hard work. I know they will both continue to work hard to continue to develop and prepare themselves to play at the next levels of hockey."

The United States Hockey League is the top junior ice hockey league sanctioned by USA Hockey. The league consists of 16 active teams located in the Midwestern United States and Great Plains, for players between the ages of 16 and 21.