MT. PROSPECT, IL – The USHL begins its 31st season as the best junior hockey league in the United States Friday night. Talent and competition make this league worth the price of admission. The league has received more and more attention with each passing NHL Entry draft. Last season Louis LeBlanc (Montreal Canadiens) and John Moore (Columbus Blue jackets) were taken in the first round. Overall 29 players were taken in the draft. Today we preview the upcoming 2009-10 season and look at the East Division teams. The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders won this year’s USHL Fall Classic. Look for an agressive style of play with Troy Grosenick returning as goaltender. Michael Parks knows how to put the biscuit in the net; scoring six points during this years Fall Classic. The Indiana Ice won last year’s Clark Cup, which is awarded to the team that wins the USHL championship. They’ll play an aggressive style of hockey with a goal of creating as many turnovers as possible. Max Cook and Nic Dowd are the forwards to watch. The Green Bay Gamblers won last year’s Anderson Cup, which is awarded to the team that has the best regular season record. This is a very experienced squad led by goaler Steve Summerhays, and forwards Ryan Furne and Grant Arnold. The Youngstown Phantoms begin their first season in the USHL. They’ll play an up-temp style. Forward Brian Dowd has the moves. Ryan Jasinsky has the best shot on the team. The defense is green, but big. Look for newly named captain David Donnellan to lead the defensive corps. The goaltending could become a rotation in progress. Jordan Tibbett has the experience, but Matt Mahalak has tremendous natural ability. The Chicago Steel will play an agressive, “let them play” style of game. This year’s roster boasts three balanced scoring lines. Goaltender Nick Pisellini is experienced and a winner. Look for the Steel to improve on last year’s 31-27 record. The Waterloo BlackHawks will play an agressive, checking and trapping style of play. Don’t expect many teams to push them around. They’ll be physical. Great scoring potential with the likes of Derek Arnold, Brock Montpetit and Tyler Barnes. BlackHawks hoping forward JT Brown can stay healthy. Our picks to click in the East: Cedar Rapids, Chicago and Waterloo. Look for my upcoming article on Team USA, which is also a part of the East Division. You can send your opinions to TOM.MILLER@PROHOCKEYNEWS.COM
