Riders Ahcan Wins USHL Defenseman of the Year
May 9, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders News Release
Cedar Rapids, IA - The United States Hockey League announced today that Cedar Rapids RoughRiders defenseman Jack Ahcan has been named 2016 USHL Defenseman of the Year as determined by a vote of League general managers.
Ahcan played in 56 of the RoughRiders 60 regular season games, tallying 14 goals and 30 assists for 44 points, good for third in team scoring. Six of his 14 goals were game-winners, lead all USHL defensemen in both categories, while his 30 assists ranked fifth in the league among defensemen. Ahcan's 44 points this season ranked only behind Bloomington's Jeremy Davies among USHL defensemen.
The Savage, MN native had eight multi-point games over the course of the season, and he tallied a point in six consecutive games from February 21st to March 5th. He finished the season with seven power play goals and a +14 rating.
Ahcan was named USHL Defenseman of the Week on March 7th after scoring three points in three games from March 2nd to March 5th. He helped Cedar Rapids to a 40-15-3-2 record, the top seed in the Eastern Conference, as well as the Anderson Cup. He was also named to Team USA for the World Junior A Challenge, helping the United States win a bronze medal in the tournament.
Ahcan was selected in the eighth round (110th overall) by the RoughRiders in the 2013 USHL Phase I Draft. Prior to joining Cedar Rapids for this season, Ahcan played three seasons for Burnsville High in Minnesota, scoring 19 goals and 67 assists in 93 career games. Following his USHL career, Ahcan is committed to play his college hockey at St. Cloud State University.
"Very happy for Jack and we feel this honor is well deserved," said RoughRiders Head Coach Mark Carlson. "Jack was solid on both sides of the puck all year, was determined, physical and most importantly, he led by example."
Ahcan is the first Cedar Rapids defenseman to win the award since the RoughRiders joined the USHL prior to the 1999-2000 season.
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