The Washington Little Capitals are proud to announce that two current and one former Little Cap were selected in the United States Hockey League (USHL) draft this week.

The USHL is the only Tier 1 junior hockey league in the United States.

U15 forward Adam Varga was drafted by the Cedar Rapids Roughriders in the 8th round, 113th overall, in the Phase 1 “Futures Draft” made up of 2001 birth year players only.  The following day, Varga’s linemate, Reid Leibold, was selected by the Waterloo Black Hawks in the 15th round, 242nd overall, in the Phase 2 draft which is open to players of all ages eligible to play junior hockey. 

“The top junior hockey league in the United States has identified Adam and Reid as elite players; we’re very proud of them,” said Little Caps executive director Doug Plocki, who coached both players on the U15 National team last season.  “They’ve worked hard to get to this point.  There is more hard work to come, but both players are up to the challenge, and they have teammates who can push them to excel.” 

The selections capped off an amazing season for the U15 Little Caps.  The team won the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) Dixon Cup and the USA Hockey Southeastern District Championship, and earned a ticket to the USA Hockey Tier 1 National Championships in Scottsdale, Arizona where they were seeded 12th.

Varga had 41 points (18 goals and 23 assists) in 28 games in the AYHL, and 32 points (23 goals and 9 assists) in 16 games in the NAPHL.  His USHL draft selection comes on the heels of his recent selection by the Mississauga Steelheads in the 2017 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection draft. The OHL is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), the highest level of junior hockey in Canada. 

 “Getting drafted into the USHL is a huge honor and another dream come true,” Varga said. “Without the help from my family, coaches and teammates none of this would be possible.”

Leibold also had a remarkable season, with 38 points (17 goals and 21 assists) in 28 games in the AYHL and 27 points (6 goals and 21 assists) in 16 games in the NAPHL.  “Being drafted means a lot especially because it shows that my hard work and dedication are starting to pay off,” Leibold said. 

His selection came on the same day that his older brother, former Little Cap Ryan Leibold, was selected in the same USHL draft by the Sioux City Musketeers, in the 14th round, 227th overall.  Ryan’s stellar performance with the U18 Little Caps during the 2015-16 season won him a tender offer from the Springfield Jr. Blues of the North American Hockey League (NAHL).  Ryan played 60 games for the Jr. Blues last season, racking up 32 points (13 goals and 19 assists) while securing a Division 1 college commitment from the United States Military Academy at West Point, and his USHL selection this week.

“It’s a big day for the Leibold family with two USHL draft picks,” Plocki said.  “It’s a great testament that hard work pays off.”

“We’re extremely excited for these players,” said Little Caps hockey director Dan Jablonic. “It’s great to see their names being selected in such a prestigious league.  In addition to being terrific hockey players, they are three fantastic kids too.” 

Varga and Leibold are returning to the Little Caps next season to continue their development with the U16 National team.  “We’re are also very proud of what their selection says about our program,” Jablonic said.  “Our goal is to be the best developmental hockey program, so that we can give local players a local option that can put them on a national stage.  This shows that players can stay here in DC, develop within the program, and get recognized.  It shows that what we are doing here is working.” 

“These players made a choice to stick with our program, and had faith in our coaches and our philosophy.  So as we celebrate their accomplishment, we also celebrate the fantastic coaches and players who helped them get there,” Jablonic said.