Incoming freshman drafted (updated)

USHL photo

Incoming Minnesota State freshman C.J. Franklin was drafted on Saturday, selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the fifth round of the NHL draft.

Franklin, a Forest Lake native who played the last two seasons with the USHL's Sioux Falls Stampede, scoring 111 points in those two years. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound forward had 54 goals in those seasons.

UPDATE: Read more about Franklin, including quotes from him and Mike Hastings here.

Franklin, who was in his final year of draft eligibility, wasn't on the Central Scouting Service rankings, but he was drawing interest from individual teams. The Jets nabbed him with the 129th overall pick.

For Minnesota State, Franklin will be part of what appears to be a ready-to-play group of freshmen that includes his Sioux Falls teammate Zeb Knutson, Penticton Vees (BCHL) captain Brad McClure and others. McClure, who is past his draft age, was invited to the Pittsburgh Penguins prospect camp this summer as a free agent.

The Mavericks' roster will have five drafted players on it next year. Other picks from previous years include Teddy Blueger (Pittsburgh), Zach Stepan (Nashville), Stephon Williams (NY Islanders) and Max Gaede (San Jose).

MORE UPDATES:

Franklin is one of four players with WCHA ties who was drafted on Saturday. The others are Bowling Green freshman D Mark Friedman, Alaska freshman D Nikolas Koberstein and Ferris State sophomore F Kyle Schempp.

College Hockey Inc. has a list of the 62 players with college ties who were drafted this weekend.