FAIRPORT, N.Y. — The Jr. Americans potentially found a diamond in the rough. They announce this morning the signing of Nikita Ushakov to a tender agreement.
Ushakov stands at 6’4″, 205lbs making him the tallest player of this year’s tender class. The power forward played in the NCDC with two organizations: WB/Scranton Knights and Northern Cyclones. This past season with the Northern Cyclones, Ushakov tallied 13 points in 22 games. In addition, Ushakov suited up for the eight games with the Philadelphia Little Flyers, recording five points in eight games.
Ushakov has been on the Jr. Americans radar for a while. Ushakov attended the Jr. Amerks first ever Pre-Draft at the University of Michigan back in 2023. Shortly after catching attention with scouts he was drafted by expansion team rival New Hampshire in the 2023 NAHL Draft. The Jr. Amerks staff kept tabs on his development, and after singing his tender with the Jr. Americans, he attended a handful of team practices.
Born in 2005, Ushakov will have two years of NAHL eligibility. There’s high potential for the forward. If he can continue to develop and improve, he could be a force in the league.
A tender is a contract, of sorts. A player signs announcing his intentions to play for that particular NAHL team and that team only. Once a player signs a tender with an NAHL team, his playing rights belong to that team within the NAHL and he may not be recruited by any other team. Each team is granted ten (10) tenders – plus or minus any trades. Tendered players are not eligible for the NAHL draft.
The Jr. Amerks are pumped to have Nikita and would like to wish him congratulations.
Stay connected during the season by following the Jr. Amerks @JrAmerksNAHL on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and online at rochesterjramerks.com.
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The Rochester Jr. Americans are members of the NAHL which is the oldest and largest junior hockey league of its kind in the United States and one of only two USA Hockey-certified leagues that operate under the non pay-to-play model. The NAHL is also one of the best at advancing players to NCAA and professional hockey. All league games are viewable via NAHLTV. For more information, visit rochesterjramerks.com.
