La Crescent, Minn., native Eriah Hayes was selected in the 15th round of the United States Hockey League Draft by the Waterloo Black Hawks on Wednesday.

Hayes, who graduated from La Crescent High School in 2007 as the Coulee Region’s all-time leading scorer with 240 points, played for the Topeka RoadRunners of the NAHL (North American Hockey League) this winter and scored 56 points (30 goals-26 assists), including a plus-33 rating and team-best seven game-winning goals, in 52 games.

Former La Crescent High School athlete Eriah Hayes

The USHL, a Tier I Junior A amateur league, is recognized as a step up from the NAHL.

Hayes could return to Topeka next season or report to Waterloo. The Black Hawks’ first tryout camp is June 12-15 in Spooner, Wis.

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