June 30, 2013
NEWARK, N.J. - Penn State men's hockey freshmen Eamon McAdam (Perkasie, Pa.) and Mike Williamson (Leduc, Alberta) were both selected at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft Sunday at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
A Perkasie, Pa., native, McAdam was the New York Islanders' third-round (70th overall) selection, while the Vancouver Canucks tabbed Williamson with the club's sixth-round (175th overall) choice. McAdam and Williamson, both of whom will be freshmen on the Nittany Lions' 2013-14 roster, are the program's first draft choices to be affiliated with the University at the time of the Draft.
The sixth goaltender selected, McAdam comes to Penn State after an impressive three-year career with the United States Hockey League's Waterloo Black Hawks. In 2012-13, the goaltender posted a 17-9-3 regular-season record with an .896 save percentage, a 3.45 goals-against average and two shutouts.
McAdam, who earned MVP honors at the USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game and participated in the CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game, led the U.S. Junior Select Team to the gold medal at the 2012 World Junior "A" Challenge in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. With Waterloo, McAdam also earned best goaltender honors en route to a silver medal at the 2012 Junior Club World Cup in Omsk, Russia.
A Leduc, Alberta, native, Williamson played parts of three seasons with the Spruce Grove Saints of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. In 2012-13, Williamson skated in 23 games and collected 11 points (1g, 10a) as the Saints captured the North Division championship. During the 2011-12 season, Williamson added 18 points (9g, 9a) in 41 regular-season games as he earned AJHL All-Rookie Team honors.
While at Spruce Grove, Williamson played alongside Nittany Lion forwards David Glen (Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta) and Dylan Richard (Sherwood Park, Alberta).
McAdam and Williamson join fellow NHL draft picks Max Gardiner (Deephaven, Minn./St. Louis Blues) and Patrick Koudys (Smithville, Ontario/Washington Capitals) on the Nittany Lions' 2013-14 roster. Penn State will open its second NCAA season against Army at Pegula Ice Arena Oct. 11.
Draft photo by Bill Wippert/National Hockey League