Skokie Native a Top NHL Prospect

SKOKIE, IL - A Skokie native is one of the country’s top hockey prospects and could be selected in the early rounds of the 2016 NHL Draft.

Willie Knierim, a 17-year-old who plays for the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League after moving away from home after two years of high school at Niles North, has caught the attention of NHL scouts for his size (6’3”, 207 lbs.) and his work ethic, according to a Skokie Review story.

Knierim, who previously played for the Chicago Mission program and cites the Chicago Blackhawks first Stanley Cup run of the modern era in 2010 as inspiration, has signed a letter of intent to play hockey collegiately at Miami University (Ohio). That is also attractive to scouts, according to the Review.

“Scouts also like the fact he’s going to play in college, which will give him time to improve his skating.”

According to Eliteprospects.com, Knierim has four goals and six assists in 20 games played with the Fighting Saints this season.

more via the Skokie Review

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