Parting Schotts: Union's Gostisbehere picked by Flyers in 3rd round of NHL draft (updates with Flyers GM Paul Holmgren video)

Union's Gostisbehere picked by Flyers in 3rd round of NHL draft (updates with Flyers GM Paul Holmgren video)

The Philadelphia Flyers selected Union sophomore defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere in the third round of the NHL draft Saturday morning.

"I was with my family, and we went pretty nuts," Gostisbehere said in a telephone interview from his home in Margate, Fla. "We didn't get a call saying that I was going to go early. We were watching TV, and my name just popped up. We went nuts."

Also, Union recruit and Nobles defenseman Tim Boyle was picked in the fourth round by Ottawa. Boyle is the brother of New York Rangers center Brian Boyle.

Gostisbehere had an outstanding freshman season, collecting five goals and 17 assists in 41 games. He was named to the ECAC Hockey All-Rookie team, and was selected to the ECACH All-Tournament team.

"I had heard some rumors that I might go in the third round, or fourth," Gostisbehere said. "I just took it in stride. I'm just happy I went."

The selections of Gostisbehere and Boyle give Union seven NHL draft picks all time. They join goalie Justin Mrazek (eighth round by Washington, 2004), goalie Brandon Snee (fifth round by the New York Rangers, 2000), goalie Steve Baker (No. 44 overall pick by the Rangers, 1977), forward Kip Churchill (141st overall pick by the Detroit Red Wings, 1977) and forward Dean Willers (175th overall pick by the Red Wings, 1977).

"If anybody has ever gone through it, it's quite an exciting time," Union coach Rick Bennett said. "Just getting off the phone with him, he sounds like he's on Cloud 9 with his family."

Gostisbehere was ranked 148th among North American skaters in the final NHL Central Scouting Bureau ratings. Bennett wasn't surprised he was a third-round pick.

"Because of what he did throughout the second half of the season, and even in the playoffs," Bennett said. "In the playoffs, he was one of our better defensemen. That speaks volumes. Everything he got today was because of hard work."

Getting selected by the Flyers caps a big week for Gostisbehere. On Monday, he was invited to the U.S. National Development Camp to try out for the U.S. team that will play in the World Junior Championships Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in Ufa, Russia.

"It's probably one of the best weeks of my hockey career, I'm not going to lie," Gostisbehere said.

To watch an interview with Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren on Flyers TV, click here.

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