The USHL has announced the 07-08 award winners and the full article can be found here. I will do a quick run down of the winners and will try to give some commentary on them.
Player of the Year: Jason Gregoire
Forward of the Year: Jason Gregoire
Rookie of the Year: Jack Connolly
Defenseman of the Year: Blake Kessel
My first award for some commentary. In my honest opinion, I don't believe Kessel should have won this award. Sure he led the league in scoring among D, but that's not what the position is all about. Maybe the league should look into awarding the best offensive defenseman and the best defensive defenseman. I feel guys like Keir Ross, Ross Henry, and Matt Crandell are more deserving of a defenseman award. These guys do what they're supposed to do, but aren't flashy at doing it and don't put up points like crazy. Take away Kessel's points he received on the PP and he has 18. To his credit, he did go from -14 to a +2. Though it's not a clear indicator, +/- is a decent way to see which guy does his job the best. Keir Ross ran away with the +/- award, finishing +38.
Goalie of the Year: David Reekie
This one caused a little controversy as well. I have no issue with Reekie winning this award, as he helped Lincoln turn into a playoff team. Drew Palmisano won last year, though I don't believe he was deserving. I also feel that he would have won if he didn't win it last year.
Curt Hammer Award: Joey Miller
USHL Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Matt Farris
Coach of the Year: Steve Poapst
This award was well deserved. Poapst came in and completely turned around the Steel's program and took them out of the dumps and turned them into a playoff team. The Steel could even surprise some people in the playoffs this year.
GM of the Year: Mike Hastings
I think Lincoln's GM, Jimmy McGroarty, should have won this one. If not for the additions coach McGroarty made this season, Lincoln would probably have the golf clubs out and be on the course right now.
Executive of the Year: Jim Kronschnabel
Organization of the Year: Indiana Ice
Despite the recent actions of a couple of players, I don't believe this is a bad choice at all. If the Ice management allow these players to play in the playoffs, then I might have a change of heart. I don't feel the organization should be punished for those player's actions, but should be praised for taking action and suspending them. It's definitely not easy to suspend your top player.
All-USHL First Team:
G - David Reekie - Lincoln
D - Blake Kessel - Waterloo
D - Matt Bartkowski - Lincoln
F - Jack Connolly - Sioux Falls
F - Barry Almeida - Omaha
F - Jason Gregoire - Lincoln
All-USHL Second Team:
G - Drew Palmisano - Omaha
D - John Carlson - Indiana
D - Eric Springer - Sioux Falls
F - Paul Carey - Indiana
F - Jake Hansen - Sioux Falls
F - John Kemp - Indiana
USHL All-Rookie Team:
G - Brady Hjelle - Cedar Rapids
D - John Carlson - Indiana
D - Matt Donovan - Cedar Rapids
F - Paul Carey - Indiana
F - Jack Connolly - Sioux Falls
F - Brian O'Neill - Chicago
F - Steve Quailer - Sioux City
Congrats to all the award winners.
30 comments:
Gregoire with the double OT winner tonight on the road against the Stampede.
That's why he's the Player and Forward of the Year. Money.
Indiana Ice...Organization of the Year.
Let's see. They got to start a month before everyone else in order to play in Canada. When the rest of the USHL caught up to them, they played terrible. The last month of the season was pathetic.
Attendance in Indiana has gone down three years in a row.
All teams give money to charity, however it is very good of the Ice to do this.
It seems they do not really care about character or team rules, but I didn't see that as being one of the criteria for organization of the year.
I cannot see one reason why Omaha is not the winner of this award.
I thought the other awards were pretty fair.
sounds like your an omaha fan?
just another loser sitting in the basement or if no basement then in the trailer whining about something that many people have a say in. Ya tell them that they are wrong...what do they know right?
Which part was wrong?
Starting a month early?
Late season meltdown?
Attendance going down 3 years in a row?
Players getting arrested?
Losers? Did Indy win the Anderson cup? Did they run away with their own division?
What is the criteria for Organization of the Year? Taking everybody to the Indy 500?
Please give ANY reason why Indy should have gotten this award over many teams, but especially Omaha.
Don't forget. All teams give to charity. Very few teams host criminals and let them play. Actually, only one team does that.
Ryan:
I agree that the USHL should look into a best defensive Defenseman and Offensive Defenseman awards. Guys like Kier Ross, Ross Henry, Crandell, even a Ben Blood deserve to be considered for the strong defensive play they give their teams each night. It would be hard to ignore Kier Ross. Not flashy, but solid. Plus/minus is not everything, but it's hard to fake your way to a +38 like Kier Ross had this year.
How about a defensive forward award also. The guys who get the other teams best forward every night or kill themselves on the PK should be up for an award. Matt Thurber led the league in shorthanders and is an excellent penalty killer. Brett Gwidt for Indiana is an outstanding defensive forward. I would but Chris Connolly of the Lancers in this category.
Any other nominees for the unoffical best defensive defenseman and best defensive forwards?
Tom
Wahoo, NE
don't want to give indy organization of the year? fine, i can understand that completely.
but how about the fact that John Kemp, who won a share of the scoring title, was snubbed from the USHL first team. Is there something he was lacking compared to the guys that made it?
One player from the East made the USHL First team. It's painfully obvious how much this league favors the West Division.
didn't omaha start early? attendence down? still second in league, that must suck.
yeah they must suck getting second in the league. so biased its funny.
Totally agree with the statement that the league favors the Western Division.
Omaha over Indy for the Organization of the year? Not a chance.
And for those who think it shouldn't go to Indy because of a few players having a run in with the law... there's a lot more that's happened on other teams that you never hear about. A LOT more.
This is the USHL Award Winners, not the Omaha Lancers Award winners. There are other teams in the league that do great things and have great players on their teams as well...not just Omaha. It seems like no matter WHAT it is, Omaha fans have to complain that their players/team didn't win something. Boo Hoo
Chris Hepp is my nominee. He was second for plus minus on the Lancers; he finished with 21 points and he helped to lead the Lancers to the Anderson Cup and he joined the team 1/2 way thru their season last year and turned it around along with goalie Palmisano.
Lets see - as to not just favor Omaha, how about Matt Donovan but you have to get Omaha in there on Defense - they let up the fewest goals (sorry non Omaha fans). Kier Ross well deserving 1st in plus minus - good player, Chris Hepp (finished 3rd in plus minus) and he gets put out agains the top lines every game. These are a few of the unofficial defenseman defenseman that I would vote for.
And I stand by my statements about the Omaha fans....
I hate Omaha, but they have the best players and the best team. And as much as dislike their coach and some of his tactics, he gets it done.
Omaha fans are whiners.
Go Muskies
Well you can tell who you all are fans of. Blake Kessel Most certainly desevered to be named defencemen of the Year he has had to step up for the blackhawks a couple of times this year due to injuries and he has played any where that they needed him. In my opion he sould have been on the short list for player of the year. No body knew of him two years ago and now he is being recognized, He has already been drafted by the New york rangers and is going to the University of New Hampshire. So go ahead and bash if you wish but Blake Knows what he has acomplished and he also knows that those that count are behind him 100%.
Some anonymous person posted this:
"Omaha over Indy for the Organization of the year? Not a chance.
And for those who think it shouldn't go to Indy because of a few players having a run in with the law... there's a lot more that's happened on other teams that you never hear about. A LOT more."
Really? A lot of players doing worse than that? I have $100 dollars that says you cannot name one other player in the league that has done worse than embarrass their team by shoplifting, having their mugshots shown nationwide along with their TV footage.
I will be happy to deliver a crisp $100 bill to you if you can name ONE player who has done worse this season. Not "a lot" of players as you claim. Only ONE player.
Indy Ice, Organization of the year? Maybe I'll take some flak for this, some of you will think it's unimportant to the big picture, but I see it as part of the big picture; after all of the negative publicity the Ice have rightfully received this past week, more of their idiot players decided to go out and get mohawk haircuts and one other fruit cake dyed his hair blue! I know their hair can not be blamed for tonight's loss, but I think it does show how far gone these kids are. Clearly the coaching staff has no control or influence over these kids. They would much rather spend their time figuring out the next way to shock the public instead of figuring out how to win a hockey game. Chicago will win the series and the pretty good season the Ice had will be over. While I'm on my soap box, please let me indulge; with all of the bad press this past week, one would also think the Ice would have greeters at the doors thanking the 500 or so spectators for coming out to see them and continuing to support the team, but they did not. Furthermore, I heard a rumor there may finally be some sort of "official statement" coming from the Ice tomorrow on last week's happenings. Better late than never, right? Ice = Best Organization? What a freaking joke!
What is this, like Hepp's 14th year in the league?
Indy Ice, Organization of the year? Maybe I'll take some flak for this, some of you will think it's unimportant to the big picture, but I see it as part of the big picture; after all of the negative publicity the Ice have rightfully received this past week, more of their idiot players decided to go out and get mohawk haircuts and one other fruit cake dyed his hair blue! I know their hair can not be blamed for tonight's loss, but I think it does show how far gone these kids are. Clearly the coaching staff has no control or influence over these kids
Ok so are you attempting to compare players stealing with players getting mohawks and dying their hair??? That is one wild leap of logic. Have you EVER watched playoffs before? It's pretty common for players, especially younger and teenaged kids to "play" with their hair during playoffs, its considered team unity. Kind of a variant of playoff beards. Last I checked having bad hair was not considered a misdemeanor or a felony.
Fans fans - stop whining, whether you're an Omaha fan or Indy fan; we are all USHL fans. All these teams are great and any team can beat another team on any given night. Indy can win organization of the year. Kessel deserved defenseman of the year. Someone blogged who they think could of been unofficial defenseman of the year, that's all - yes Kessel again deserves the win; but Ross and Hepp are very deserving unofficial defenseman "defenseman" award winners because Omaha did clinch the Anderson and Ross and Hepp did play great defense along with all the Omaha defense. And, Hepp is only in the USHL for his 3rd year because he transferred from one D1 school to another D1 school and those are the rules. Again, every team in the USHL can win on any given night and they're all great teams with great skaters...A USHL fan
I was afraid this is how my post could be interpreted. No, I'm not trying to compare players stealing with players getting mohawks and dying their hair. What I was attempting to state is that with all of the recent bad publicity, why would these guys (and/or the coaching staff allow)want to draw more unnecessary attention to themselves by doing yet another stupid thing? I played sports through high school and college. I know all about playoff beards, different color shoe laces, and dozens of other "crazy" things kids and teams have done at tournament and playoff time. Why do these guys have to continue to do things that make them come across as thugs? I understand their kids (I was one not too long ago) and kids will continue to amaze you with the crazy/stupid things they do, but at what point do the adults (Ice Organization) stand up and say enough is enough? When do they say, "We, the Indiana Ice, apologize to ours fans, current and past players, our staff, and our sponsors/advertisers. We do not condone the recent actions taken by two of our players. We attempt to run a program for others to emulate. We wish to thank those that still were in attendance at Saturday's regular season finale and those that attended Thursday evening first playoff game. We hope we can count on your continued support throughout the rest of this playoff run." This organization did none of that. They didn't apologize. They didn't thank those that still support the team for their support. NOTHING! If you were a parent of an "of age" hockey player, would you really want your son to play for an organization like the Ice? Perhaps, being local, I have a different perspective. Maybe I'm out of touch and too old fashion. Maybe none of the USHL franchises reach out to their fans this way. I, for one, would certainly want to save as much face as I could for the sake of the future. I predict, this incarnation (USHL) of the Ice will cease to exist within the next two years.
juniorhockeyfan,
Kessel was drafted by the NY Islanders, not the Rangers.
who cares who Kessel was drafted by?
Hepp doesn't deserve anything, the only reason he was on the Lancers again this year was because he was too stupid to get into a good school. Think I'm wrong? Look up stats about him.
Indiana had a couple bad players, big deal. It's usually between Waterloo and Cedar Rapids in the east, Indiana did great things this season.
wrong get your facts correct - Hepp transferred from the Air Force Academy to St. Cloud and division I rules state that you have to sit out for a year.
With regard to the ice.... I can GUARANTEE you that there have been just as many "bad" and "illegal" things happen on other teams in this league. The fact is that they are covered up and carefully dealt with most of the time. I would like to see a stat that shows that the USHL has any more problems than the general public for that age group. Just think: most of these kids could already be in college, drinking themselves into oblivion at some frat party. The fact is that these kids have made HUGE sacrifices and commitments to play at this level. Yea, they may make mistakes, but no more than any other teenager. How about all the community service the Indy and other USHL team players do? Do you actually think they are ALL idiots. Maybe you should find out how many schools or shelters the Indy players (or other teams for that matter) have visited. Have the two Ice players been convicted in a trial yet? So I guess they would be innocent until proven guilty? Or are they already guilty because the media says so.
And for the IDIOT that made the comment about the hair.... you are just that: an IDIOT. All teams do "something" to get themselves fired up for playoffs. Some never change their underwear, some don't shave, some cut their hair or dye it.. My kid did that stuff as young as 8 yrs old in state playoffs. It is a hockey tradition. Sorry it offends you, but I don't think the kids care, because they are trying to fire themselves up to WIN, not to please you! And I'm sure some of the fans think it's great.... those that are true hockey fans anyway...I would suggest you find another sport to watch.. Golf maybe????
Defenseman of the Year: I think I'd strongly consider Matt Bartkowski. He put up a lot of points (assists mostly), but he impressed me with how he did a great job keeping his gaps short defensively and the physical game he could also play. John Carlson is probably the most talented defenseman in the league and is right up there, because he can put up points, plays fairly good defensively, and can play physically, too, but Bartkowski is just a bit more mature defensively at this point.
Now, maybe I just happened to catch Bartkowski on good nights, but he seemed like a good all-around defenseman to me, although he could use a stronger shot, at least from the times I've seen him this season.
Another guy who I really like is Matt Tomassoni. He's very skilled and plays much bigger than his size. I'd give Bartkowski the edge in defensive awareness over Tomassoni, though, but Tomassoni is certainly a very skilled player.
As far as pure defensive defenseman goes, yes, Ross Henry is very good, and he moves the puck fairly reliably. It's too bad he's not a bit bigger, because then he'd be a lock to be drafted. Now, it might be a longshot, because people will wonder if he can succeed with the style of game he plays with now at the size he is, even though he plays fairly big. I'll tip my hat to any NHL team who looks past the fact he's not 6'2" and takes him, because guys Francis Bouillon have played more of a defensive style in the NHL and were stout. That said, Bouillon did put up decent numbers in the QMJHL.
No matter, though, plenty of former USHLers are signing as free agents these days and playing in the AHL, and some even in the NHL a bit.
Jason Gregoire was certainly deserving of Forward of the Year. He's got great two-way hockey sense, is a leader, has a great work ethic, and is the type of person any team would be proud to have as an alumni. The Islanders have a great pick in Gregoire.
Rookie of the Year: Would have liked to have seen John Carlson win this, but I won't deny that Jack Connolly has not made a huge impact on the Stampede and had a great season.
Regardless, congrats to all the winners.
Organization of the Year: It's too bad Ohio can't get more fans, because the turnaround they had the second half of the season was remarkable. Waterloo finished the season very strong, and that place is always rocking and they have a ton of advertisers. I think, as a whole, the USHL had a great year, because Chicago and Ohio improved their on-ice product, at least, and everybody else does pretty good every year in most aspects. Des Moines had a bad season, but they always have solid fan support. Just wish Chicago and Ohio could get more fans, but I don't envy the competition those two face.
"Omaha over Indy for the Organization of the year? Not a chance.
And for those who think it shouldn't go to Indy because of a few players having a run in with the law...
there's a lot more that's happened on other teams that you never hear about. A LOT more."
Really? A lot of players doing worse than that? I have $100 dollars that says you cannot name one other player in the league that has done worse than embarrass their team by shoplifting, having their mugshots shown nationwide along with their TV footage.
I will be happy to deliver a crisp $100 bill to you if you can name ONE player who has done worse this season. Not "a lot" of players as you claim. Only ONE player.
Thank goodness for the remaining 274 players that their average fans do not have the same mentality as you do. You must have some type of mental disorder to get so worked up over a couple of young men who made a mistake. I am in no way defending or minimizing what they did wasn't wrong. But the manner by which you are attacking them is somewhat scary.
It's fans like you that teams would like to see take up another sport so they don't have to deal with mental cases like you.
but how about the fact that John Kemp, who won a share of the scoring title, was snubbed from the USHL first team. Is there something he was lacking compared to the guys that made it?
It is not uncommon for the leading scorer or 2nd leading scorer not be on the 1st Team. I believe twice in the prior three season it has happened. Last season Rich Purslow (DM - 2nd Team) and Chad Costello (CR - 2nd Team).
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