Sunday, May 19, 2013

Another Season Ends

With the 2012-2013 season coming to a conclusion, here are some of the major news stories that happened at the end of the season. First things first, the Dubuque Fighting Saints have won the Clark Cup Championship. The Saints beat Western Conference champions, Fargo Force, in 3 games and earned the sweep of the Force. The win gives Dubuque 2 titles in their 3 years being back in the league. Will the Saints continue to be a dominant team now that head coach, Jim Montgomery, will be coaching the University of Denver next season? The link to the USHL press release also features some video interviews from a couple players, as well as the head coach from each team.

The USHL has been releasing end of the year awards every so often. Taylor Cammarata was named the USHL Forward of the Year, Kevin Lindskoug was named the USHL Goaltender of the year, Paul LaDue was named the USHL Defenseman of the year, and Jake Guentzel was named the USHL Rookie of the Year.

Cammarata lead the league in offense this season, posting a ton of points this season. He picked up 93 points on 38 goals and 55 assists, while being a +39 on the ice. Taylor ranked 1st in goals, 2nd in assists (behind teammate Justin Kloos,) 1st in total points, and 4th in +/- rating. Last season, Cammarata was named the USHL Rookie of the Year, and continued right where he left off after earning that award.

Lindskoug was a key addition for the Muskegon Lumberjacks this season. He posted a 23-18-6 record and also posted a league leading 8 shutouts for the Jacks. Lindskoug finished 2nd to Art Brey in GAA, giving up an average of 2.49 goals per game. He led the league in Save%, finishing with a .923 rank. Lindskoug allowed only 115 goals on the season, all while playing nearly 2800 minutes in the crease.

LaDue finished the season leading the league in scoring among defensemen. Not only does LaDue contribute on the offensive side, he is also one of the best all around defensemen to play this season, and quite possibly in many years in the USHL. As with defensemen, you're not going to notice LaDue much, because he rarely makes mistakes. Very well deserved honor for LaDue, and great to see him get some recognition.

Guentzel finished his rookie campaign with 73 points on 29 goals and 44 assists. It was probably a wide open race for this award, that is, until Guentzel got to his final 21 games. In his last 41 regular season games, Guentzel posted a 21 game point scoring streak, all while amassing 43 points in that stretch. He finished at +13 on the season, after hovering right around even for a good portion of the season. His 73 points ranked him 6th in the league, behind two other rookies in Mike Szmatula and Zach Stepan.

Lincoln Stars have extended head coach Chad Johnson's contract for another two years. In his first three years behind Lincoln's bench, Johnson posted a 110-62-12 record.

“We’re pleased that Chad will be staying with the Stars for at least the next two years,” said Stars President Jim Pflug.  “With three successful seasons in the books, he’s obviously well-deserving of an extension to his initial three-year contract that expires later this month.  Chad brings a calm confidence to the team, a demeanor that encourages development among his players, and critical in building teams that compete for championships each year.  With Chad and Associate Head Coach Jimmy McGroarty behind the bench, we have two different, yet complementary styles that enable them to get the most out of their players, and gives us the most experienced staff in the USHL.”

In more coaching news, Sioux City's Brett Larson has accepted the associate head coaching job at Ohio State. Larson leaves SC after two seasons on the bench and compiling a record of 52-60-12 for the Musketeers. Next season was looking very promising for Sioux City, but now there will be a new coach and maybe quite a few new faces on next year's squad. In related news, Andrew Weiss of Future Considerations, tweeted that Sioux City will name Jay Varady their new head coach.Varady has been the head coach of the Angers pro team in France. Prior to that, he was an assistant coach for Everett of the WHL.

The Omaha Lancers took a hit when last year's top pick in the futures draft, Shane Gersich, accepted an invite to the NTDP.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Wednesday's News








Dubuque's 2nd period sinks Gamblers.

Lancers offense erupts in 8-3 win at Tri-City.

Ice lose to Cedar Rapids.

Gamblers shave heads. (Video)

Phantoms’ offense fizzles against Force.

Des Moines Bucs reach double digits for first time since 2001.

Waterloo Blackhawks ask for Fans Help Finding Fundraising Item.

Phantoms drop 4th straight.

Stampede take a beating at the hands of Waterloo.

USHL Friday Scoreboard.

Storm complete comeback in third, defeats Omaha.

Ice drop second straight to Riders.

Stampede remain perfect at home in shutout of Phantoms.

umberjacks Stun the Steel in Overtime 4-3.

Musketeers fall to Buccaneers in shootout.

USNTDP's Compher could miss two more weeks.

Admirals’ Skipper Leads By Example.

Lumberjacks Still Atop of the Eastern Conference.

Quenneville making family proud with stellar move.

USHL Honors - Week 4.

USHL Update - Week 4.

Phantoms notebook.

McCoshen, McAdam among top USHL prospects.

Muskies Head to World Junior A Challenge.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Thursday's News








Children's book to be released by Muskegon Lumberjacks, Jay Vandevoorde.

Bucs player commits to D1 school.

Rothstein Named USHL Forward of the Week.

USHL issues disciplanary action.

Lumberjacks win over USNTDP 4-2, gain control of first place in the Eastern Conference.

USHL looking at ways to cut number of concussions.

Former Jr. Everblade Cangelosi named to U.S. Junior Select Team.

Gamblers coach doesn't blame loss on recent suspensions.

USHL Players to Compete in World Junior A Challenge.

Hauge names Storm captains for 2012-13 season.

Bourbonnais Lets Game Speak for Itself.

Omaha Lancers News and Notes.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Monday's News








USHL Player Profiles: Kyle Connor and J.J. Piccinich.

Rasmus Bengtsson returns to Muskegon Lumberjacks after weeklong stay in AHL camp.

Northern Michigan's Seckel has fond memories of junior hockey home in Green Bay, but not of last season.

Buccaneers Acquire Urbandale Native in Trade.

Q&A with Minnesota State Coach Mike Hastings.

Phantoms’ plan of changing goalies paying dividends.

Force edge Indiana at home.

Phantoms flat while Saints sizzle.

Ellis backstops Des Moines to 6-2 victory over Lancers.

Stampede win 3rd straight.

Fargo keeps Musketeers winless.

Muskegon Lumberjacks player commits to Northeastern.

Herd roll past Indiana.

Lincoln turns back Tri-City in a shootout.

Former Green Bay Gambler has happy homecoming in Wildcats win over Badgers at the Resch Center.

Stampede Win 4th Straight with W in OT.

Mavs, Lancers hoping Ralston arena is a perfect fit.

Black Hawks get shutout win over Omaha, 2-0.

Surging Saints top Phantoms.

Overtime goal nets Musketeers' first win.

Cedar Rapids is Hockeytown for a day with presence of Stanley Cup.

Firstar Performance of the Week goes to Sioux Falls' Rothstein.

Kevin Lindskoug Wins USHL Goaltender of the Week.

Ben Foster's overtime goal keeps the Muskegon Lumberjacks undefeated at 4-0.

USHL Honors - Week 3.

USHL Rankings 10-15-2012.

USHL Perspective: The Good Ol' Fashioned Road Trip.

Dylan McLaughlin’s stick-between-legs USHL goal is flippin’ awesome.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Wednesday's News








Buccaneers can't shake losing ways in home opener.

Des Moines Buccaneers: New coach tapping into Sweden.

Storm wins home opener.

RoughRiders fall to hot Youngstown, 5-1.

Steel beats Gamblers on Roos' goal in OT.

Lancers score late to tie, win 3-2 in shootout in Sioux City.

Phantoms Stenglein USHL POW.

Stampede pierce Lancers in home opener.

Stampede Weekly Update 10-8.

Stanley Cup to appear at Saturday night’s RoughRiders game.

Compher a model of competitiveness for USNTDP.

USHL Mourns Passing of Ed Hanes.

USHL Update - Week 2.

Lancers acquire Cleland from Waterloo.

Friday, October 5, 2012

Friday's News








KCRG 9.2 to televise five Fighting Saints games.

Musketeers prepare for Saturday's home opener.

Meeting New SF Stampede Head Coach Cary Eades.

Stampede Weekly Update 10-1.

USHL Insider: The Training Camp Surprise.

Phantoms’ Renouf goes on the offensive.

USHL Player Profile: Drew Melanson.

Phantoms Ready for First Road Test.

Tri-City Storm already face key matchup in home opener.

Q and A with Cedar Rapids RoughRiders coach/general manager Mark Carlson.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Thursday's News








USHL's Waterloo Black Hawks suspend three players.

USHL Players Talk All-American Prospects Game.

Slavin Bettering His Game in USHL.

USHL Player Interview - Michael Downing.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Wednesday's News








USHL Player Honors - Week 1.

Black Hawks shine in Prospects showcase.

Flyers draft pick Valeri Vasiliev leaves Russia, joins USHL's Waterloo Black Hawks.

Force Name Racobaldo Team Captain.

Chicago Blackhawks Prospect Report: Goalie Prospect Mattson Rocked in Chicago.

Steel Forward Commits to Cornell University.

Minnesota Duluth recruit ready after surgeries.

Added bulk helps Musketeer Watson become defensive force.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Monday's News








Inexperience plagues Gamblers in weekend sweep.

Stampede Drop Opener In Lincoln.

Herd Routed In Waterloo.

Indiana Ice beat Omaha Lancers 2-0 in home opener.

Phantoms’ furious final minute leads to OT victory.

RoughRiders Start Season With Win At Green Bay.

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Saturday's News








Stampede Forward Commits to University of Massachusetts.

Lumberjacks Defenseman Heads to AHL for Training Camp.

Gamblers players to watch in 2012-13.

Breaking the Ice with Kevin Schulze.

2012-2013 Phantoms Season Begins.

USHL opener: Karty, Buccaneers starting fresh.

If Scheels Arena is OK, Fargo Force will be OK.

Force hope net turnover works in their favor.

Goodwin named Musketeers captain.

Stampede start new era with high hopes.

From the USHL to UVM.

Hauge, Storm optimistic entering 2012-13 USHL season.

Roughriders’ Brady is a veteran, only not at defense.

Hayton starts at goaltender in Musketeers opener.

Muskies fall to Fargo in overtime.

Indiana Ice's Aman commits to Colorado College Tigers hockey.

Steel come back, beat Ice.

Phantoms net four goals in final 20 for opener win.

Stormy encourages healthy choices.

Storm fall to Dubuque in season opener.

Buccaneers fall in opener after poor third period.

Black Hawks rally past Green Bay in opener, 4-3.

Herd lose opener at Lincoln.