Blake Wilichoski tendered by USHL’s Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

Another top prep prospect is off to the USHL.

On Wednesday, the USHL's Cedar Rapids RoughRiders announced they tendered Milton Academy and Minuteman Flames forward Blake Wilichoski for next season. This means Wilichoski leaves both teams to play for Cedar Rapids next season.

Wilichoski, a Danvers, Mass., native, had seven goals and 14 points with Milton Academy this winter in prep, which followed a strong fall for the Flames.

"Our scouting staff has been following Blake for a few seasons, and we were very impressed with the impact he made for both the Minuteman Flames and the Milton Academy Mustangs this season," Cedar Rapids head coach and general manager Mark Carlson said in a release. "Blake is a strong skater that plays with an edge and can impact the game offensively with his shot as well as his passing ability."

Earlier this month, the 5-foot-11, 165-pound had a strong U.S. National Team Development Program Evaluation Camp despite playing through a shoulder injury, which he dealt with most of prep. He will be getting surgery in the coming days and out for four to five months, but plans to be ready for the start of next season.

"We look forward to helping Blake with his development on and off the ice over the next few seasons," Carlson said.

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Every USHL team is allowed up to two tenders from the Phase 1 crop. This year, that's the 2010-born players. Wilichoski is Cedar Rapids' second tender after the team snagged Woodbridge Wolfpack forward Liam Fournier last week.

By getting Fournier and Wilichoski, Cedar Rapids will be without first and second-round picks in the Phase 1 Draft on May 5 and 6.