Stange taken on Day 2 of NHL draft

Stange reflects on his path before 2020 NHL Draft

MADISON, Wis. -- Wednesday's practice took a welcomed interruption when freshman forward Sam Stange was handed a cellphone and a congratulations on being the second Badger chosen in this year's NHL draft.

Stange, who heads to USA Hockey's 2021 National Junior Evaluation Camp on Thursday, was selected by the four-time Stanley Cup winner Detroit Red Wings in the fourth draft as the 97th pick overall.

He became the sixth UW pick for Detroit, the same team Badger Brendan Smith was drafted to in 2007 and played for prior to his current position with the New York Rangers.

We interrupt today's practice for @sam_stange3 to get drafted by the @DetroitRedWings pic.twitter.com/ipDP0DGgzE
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) October 7, 2020

The Eau Claire native joined sophomore forward Dylan Holloway as Wisconsin's 2020 draft picks. As a first-round pick Tuesday, Holloway was chosen by the Edmonton Oilers as the No. 14 pick overall.

In retrospect, Holloway was the fourth first-round draft choice on the Badgers 2019-20 roster along with then fellow freshmen first-round draftees Cole Caufield (15th by the Montreal Canadians) and Alex Turcotte (fifth by the LA Kings). Defenseman K'Andre Miller (22nd by the New York Rangers) was also chosen in the first round in 2018.

Ryder Donovan and Owen Lindmark (137th by the Florida Panthers) were also picked in the fourth and fifth rounds last year with Donovan the first Badger drafted by the Vegas Golden Knights (110th).

Both players have become a part of UW's NHL legacy, giving the Badgers 170 all-time drafted players, inluding 11 on the current team.

Sam Stange, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
The 6-1 forward posted 26 goals, 19 assists and 45 points in 48 games during the 2019-20 USHL season split between Sioux City and Sioux Falls. HIs 26 goals tied for fifth in the USHL and was named to the 2020 Third-Team All-USHL.

He was named to the U.S. High School All-USA Hockey Second Team by USA Today and the Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association All-State First Team for the 2018-19 season. Stange also earned 2019 Wisconsin State Player of the Year and the Joe Pavelski Award as the state's top forward. That same season he played for both Team Wisconsin (UMHSEHL) and Eau Claire North High, scoring a high of 67 points (31g, 36a) in 24 games played.