CHICAGO, Ill – The United States Hockey League has begun its ninth regular season this week. Pro Hockey News is taking this opportunity to present the teams by divisional breakdown and a quick review of the clubs and focus on a few players. The Western Division is previewed here.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Des Moines Buccaneers
A familiar face is back in Des Moines as Regg Simon returns from collegiate hockey to an organization that he has helped capture two Clark Cup championships – one as a coach during the 2005-06 season and one as a player in 1994-95.
Just five players return from the 2009-10 version of the Bucs. The two most experienced of the bunch are defenseman Austin Coldwell had a successful first USHL season posting 36 points (12g, 24a) in 58 games while Mitch Cain also played 58 games and put up 21 points for the club. Young forwards Cal Decowski and Luke Sandler joined the team in the second half of the season as did defenseman Blake Doerring. New defenseman Peter Stoykewych was selected this summer by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL Entry Draft. 16-year-old Ray Pigozzi joins the forward lines after being chosen in the second round of the USHL Futures Draft in May.
Dubuque Fighting Saints
This season marks a return to Dubuque, an iconic USHL city, but the region will see a whole new brand of USHL hockey since last having a team over 10 years ago. Leading the expansion team is Jim Montgomery, the all-time leading scorer at the University of Maine and former NHL player, who comes from spending the past four years coaching collegiately at RPI.
The Saints have some experience with a host of forwards who spent 2009-10 in the USHL – Jordan DiGiando, Andrew Sinelli, Scott Wamsganz, Shane Sooth, and T.J. Schlueter – as well as defenseman Colton Saucerman. Another veteran presence is forward Vinny Saponari who played the last two seasons at Boston University. Forward Riley Barber was the first overall pick in the 2010 USHL Futures Draft. Nick Luukko, a 2010 NHL Draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers, will patrol the blueline for the Saints and 16-year-old Latvia native Zemgus Girgensons joins the forward lines.
Fargo Force
It has been a widely successful first two USHL seasons for the Force, culminating with two trips to the Clark Cup Finals. New head coach Jason Herter is looking to get the club back to the Finals, a place he helped them reach while on the coaching staff during their inaugural 2008-09 season.
Five 20-plus goal scorers have begun their collegiate careers, but plenty of experience remains including Garrett Allen who netted 24 goals while appearing in all 60 games a season ago and third-year forward Colten St. Clair who has played 135 games in a Fargo uniform. Forwards Nick Oliver, Chad Demers, and the speedy Joe Rehkamp will also be counted upon for their USHL experience. Goaltender Ryan Massa is back after 19 regular season wins and an impressive playoff performance. Brian Cooper and Brandon Carlson return to the defensive unit along with 6-7 Belarus native Oleg Yevenko. Newcomers to the forwards lines include Tanner Kero who led the NAHL last year with 32 goals and Jimmy Mullin who was a 2010 NHL Draft pick of Tampa Bay
Lincoln Stars
After a challenging 2009-10 campaign, the Stars are eager to bring back their tradition of winning in front of a loyal fan base that has helped the organization lead the USHL in attendance for each of the last four years. Chad Johnson begins his first season as head coach after two seasons on the Fargo staff, returning to Lincoln where he was on the coaching staff that helped the Stars capture the Clark Cup during their inaugural 1996-97 season.
Returning forward Ryan Dzingel begins a full season for the club after posting 26 points (11g, 15a) in 36 games last year and Dominik Shine is back after a 15-goal season. The Stars will rely on veteran forwards Garrett Peterson, Sam Alfieri, John McCarron, and Josh Berge. The defensive unit has all new faces outside of Frank Misuraca who appeared in 10 games with the team in 2009-10. Richard Coyne brings USHL experience having played 43 games in the League last season. A familiar name will see plenty of time in net as goaltender Kevin Murdock returns to Lincoln after a season in college hockey. He was an All-USHL Second Team selection in 2008-09.
Omaha Lancers
The Lancers enter their 25th anniversary season in the USHL after collecting 42 wins in 2009-10 and earning their 21st consecutive playoff berth. Bliss Littler is back for his third season behind the bench in Omaha and sits 17 wins shy of reaching 300 USHL coaching victories.
Several offensive weapons moved on to their collegiate careers, but several key players remain from the last season’s team that finished tops in the West Division. Only 17 years old, forward Seth Ambroz begins his third USHL season after putting up 80 points (36g, 44a) over his first two and veteran forward Ryan Daugherty is back after an 18-goal season. Omaha native Nick Oddo along with forwards Colin Markison and Stefan Demopoulos return for the Lancers. Mike Chiasson and Aaron Ave will lead a young defense corps that added Ben Marshall, a 2010 NHL Draft pick of Detroit. Although he saw limited time in 2009-10, goaltender John Keeney returns after posting a stellar 8-1-1 record and 1.98 GAA.
Sioux City Musketeers
Despite missing last season’s playoffs by a single point, the Musketeers were one of the hottest teams down the stretch in 2009-10 and will carry that momentum over to their second season under head coach Luke Strand.
Forwards Ryan Carpenter and Matt Paape are returning players who were double digit goal scorers last year and Tommy Olczyk will be a leader up front after being one of only two Musketeers to play all 60 games. Max Gaede begins a full season with the team after playing 10 games in 2009-10 and being a third-round selection in this past summer’s NHL Entry Draft. Only recently turning 16, forward Richard Zehnal returns to the mix along with Jose Delgadillo who is the only returning defenseman from last season. Goaltender Matt Skoff returns to the crease after appearing in a League high 50 games in 2009-10. Incoming forward Caleb Herbert joins the Musketeers following a summer in which was selected by Washington in the 2010 NHL Draft.
Sioux Falls Stampede
The standard of success continues in Sioux Falls after the club made their fifth straight playoff appearance last season under coach Kevin Hartzell who is the active leader among USHL coaches in winning percentage (.663) and the organizations all-time leader in coaching victories.
Although the top eight scorers from last season have departed, plenty of experienced players remain including forwards Anthony Day, Dominic Zombo, and Sam Coatta who combined for over 30 goals in 2009-10. Brent Darnell also has a USHL season under his belt along with defensemen Zack Kamrass, Clark Cristofoli, and Marcus Perrier. New forwards include Bryan Moore, the third overall pick in the USHL Futures Draft, and twin brothers Ryan and Connor Reilly. Forward Christian Isackson joins the Stampede after a summer in which he was a NHL Draft selection of the Buffalo Sabres. A new goaltending tandem includes Alaska native Stephon Williams and Juho Olkinuora who is a native of Finland.
Tri-City Storm
It was an up and down season in 2009-10 for the Storm, but the year ended on a high note with the team’s first playoff appearance in three seasons. Coach Drew Schoneck begins his second campaign at the helm with the goal of a repeat trip to the postseason.
Several offensive leaders have begun their college careers but a host of forwards return to the Storm lineup, including midseason acquisition Tucker Brockett along with Kenny Brooks and Matt Johnson. Forward Cody Murphy is a veteran presence that begins his third full season in the USHL. Rick Pinkston leads a relatively young defensive unit that will be boosted by Dan Kolomatis and Zack Rall who spent the 2009-10 USHL season with the Chicago Steel. Steven Bolton will see plenty of time in net after appearing in 20 games for the club last season. A pair of 16-year-old forwards, Drew Dorantes and Cory Czarnik, joins the mix.
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