Staff file photo / Brian Yauger Youngstown Phantoms defenseman Luke Osburn fires a puck on net during an October contest against Lincoln.

In his post-draft season, Youngstown Phantoms defenseman Luke Osburn has shown his growth early.

The Buffalo Sabres draft selection has made early waves in his second USHL season as Osburn works toward reaching his goal of the NHL.

Osburn has four points (1 goal, 3 assists) through 12 games and has made strides defensively. Phantoms coach Ryan Ward thinks Osburn is well on his way toward that goal.

“He’s been a horse,” Ward said following an October game against Lincoln. “He plays huge minutes. Offensively, defensively, special teams. His growth — like that kid’s gonna be an NHL player for a long time. He’s done a great job. He’s becoming a real leader and a little more vocal kind of growing into his personality. Luke has been great.”

The summer was an eventful one for the blueliner, as Osburn was in Las Vegas for the NHL Draft. When the Sabres called his name in the fourth round, his family was side-by-side for the occasion.

“It was awesome going to Vegas, which is a cool spot, especially going with my family,” Osburn said. “It definitely meant a lot that my family was there with me when I was getting picked, so it was really cool. It was a really good experience. It definitely helped that my family was there, and I got to experience it with them as well.”

Following the draft, the 6-foot-1 blueliner attended the Sabres’ development camp, which included two more former Phantoms in forwards Andon Cerbone and Stiven Sardarian.

“It was really cool. I learned a lot. I took a lot of stuff from the older guys that were there, the guys that had more experience,” Osburn said. “My goal there was just to take in as much as I can and learn as much as I can. It was awesome. I think I can take a lot from what I learned there and apply it more this year.”

Having that experience has given Osburn some extra confidence going into the season. Learning the way the NHL operates at a closer level like he did at development camp only puts him in a better position going forward.

“I think just taking what I learned from development camp and applying it to my game here, not only the in-game stuff, but eating and daily stuff too,” Osburn said. “I think I learned a lot from them, and I’m trying to apply it while I’m here. In-game stuff, I would definitely say it gives you a little bit more confidence, just because you know the high-level play that was at a development camp. It definitely gives you a little bit more confidence. I just tried to apply what I learned there.”

Osburn keeps an eye on the NHL, which has seen an influx of players with his skillset take hold across the league. The Wisconsin commit has his eyes on multiple players, including Miro Heiskanen (Dallas), Rasmus Dahlin (Buffalo) and Quinn Hughes (Vancouver).

“I like Quinn Hughes a lot. His game, just the way he skates and the way he moves the puck. I think he shoots the puck at the right times. He passes the puck at the right times, and he’s skating to get out of situations. I like to model my game after him.”

As one of the team’s veteran players, Osburn is a part of the team’s leadership group. He also wears a letter, serving as one of the team’s alternate captains.

Getting a letter wasn’t something Osburn really expected, but he’s trying to open up and be more of a role model for the young Phantoms.

“The coaches are always a huge help, and I’ve been trying to step into more of a leadership role,” Osburn said. “Just with talking to the younger guys about things that I experienced my first year. This place that they’ve developed here, is unbelievable. With all the resources that we have, everything that we need. Just being here is a blessing, for sure.

“I didn’t exactly know (wearing a letter) was going to happen and it was a little bit of a challenge just learning what to say, but at the end of the day, just be yourself. I think it definitely became easier for me as the year went on, and I understand what a lot of the kids, especially the first-year kids, are going through. Just because I went through it last year. I think the year before was great and it definitely helped me a lot.”

Osburn and the Phantoms host the Chicago Steel this weekend in a two-game set on Friday and Saturday.

Start time for Friday’s game is set for 7 p.m.