USHL United States Hockey League

2004-05 United States Hockey League Awards Announced

Published on April 13, 2005 under United States Hockey League (USHL) News Release


Grand Forks, ND - The United States Hockey League announced today the individual and All-USHL Team awards for the 2004-05 regular season. Eighteen players are selected to the All-USHL First, Second and Rookie Teams. The awards are voted on by all USHL Head Coach / General Managers and Presidents.

Omaha goaltender Jeff Lerg, who set a new USHL record for wins in a single season by a goaltender while helping the Lancers to a share of the regular season championship and the Anderson Cup, was honored as the USHL Player of the Year and USHL Goaltender of the Year. Lerg (Livonia, MI), also earned All-USHL First Team honors, named to the 2005 Prospects / All-Star Game and led the league in wins(36) and a goals against average(2.16). He was named Itech/ Goalies World Goalie of the Month twice (Nov. ‘04, Feb. ‘05) and Player of the Week on Sept. 29, 2004. In his rookie season, Jeff was named to the All-USHL Second Team and the USHL All-Rookie Team.

The 2004-05 CCM Forward of the Year Award was earned by the league leading scorer in Dan Riedel of the Lincoln Stars. Riedel (Rochester Hills, MI) also earned a spot on the 2004-05 All-USHL First Team, tallied 30 goals, 51 assists for 81 points. Dan was selected as the Player of the Week (Feb. 14) and named to the 2005 Prospects / All-Star Game.

Honored by voters as the USHL Defensemen of the Year was Brett Motherwell, as he helped lead the Omaha Lancers to the lowest goals against average in the league. Motherwell (St. Charles, IL) has also been selected to the 2004-05 All- USHL First Team, named to the 2004 and 2005 USHL Prospects / All-Star Teams and the USHL All-Rookie Team last season. Brett finished the season as the second leading scoring defensemen with 5 goals, 33 assists for 38 points and was selected as Player of the Week on November 8th.

The USHL Rookie of the Year Award for 2004-05 went to Des Moines Buccaneer Chad Rau, who was second in the league and led all rookies in scoring with 31 goals, 40 assists for 71 points in 57 games played. Rau (Eden Prairie, MN) led the Buccaneers in every offensive category, was named to the 2005 Prospects / All- Star Game, All-USHL First Team, USHL All-Rookie Team and selected as Player of the Week twice (Nov. 4 , Jan. 4).

Christian Hanson of the Tri-City Storm is honored this season with the Curt Hammer Award. The "Curt Hammer Award" is given annually to the USHL player who distinguishes himself as the most gentlemanly player, both on and off the ice. This award goes to the player who best reflects the goals of the League and his team. Hanson demonstrated performance skills, pride, determination, sportsmanship, and a desire to succeed within the rules of the USHL and accepted bounds of courteous conduct.

Honored as the USHL 2004-05 Coach of the Year is Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Head Coach Mark Carlson, who led his team to a share of the regular season championship and Anderson Cup with a 42-13-5 record and a no.1 seed in the Eastern Division. This season the RoughRiders under Carlson set club records for wins (42), points (596) and goals (229) in a season, and also set a new USHL record for consecutive road wins with 13. This marks the first Coach of the Year award in club history.

Mike Hastings of the Omaha Lancers was selected "General Manager of the Year". This marks the third time Hastings has received the honor, previously winning the award in 2001-02 and 1996-97. Head Coach and General Manager Hastings led his team to a share of the regular season championship and the Anderson Cup with a record of 41-12-7. This season Hastings was named as an assistant coach of the 2005 US World Junior Team.

The defending Clark Cup Champion Waterloo Black Hawks have been named the "2004-05 Organization of the Year", the Hawks' have been honored with this award two out of the last three seasons. The 2004-05 season is one to remember for the Hawks', as they set a new attendance record of 78,997 by increasing the average attendance by 233 fans per game and a record setting 10 sell-out crowds. The 2005 Clark Cup Play-off berth marks the third straight season making the post-season for the 'Hawks. The organization also worked more than 700 hours of voluntary community service and raised over $20,000 for local charities and organizations.

2004-05 RBK Hockey All-USHL First Team
Pos Name Team Hometown
F Dan Riedel Lincoln Rochester Hills, MI
F Chad Rau Des Moines Eden Prairie, MN
F Trevor Smith Omaha N. Vancouver, B.C.
D Brett Motherwell Omaha St. Charles, IL
D Chris Butler Sioux City St. Louis, MO
G Jeff Lerg Omaha Livonia, MI

2004-05 All-USHL Second Team
Pos Name Team Hometown
F Tim Kennedy Sioux City Buffalo, NY
F Corey Carlson Omaha Two Harbors, MN
F Ted Purcell Cedar Rapids St. Johns, NF
D Shane Lovdahl Cedar Rapids Anchorage, AK
D Brian Kilburg Tri-City Mendota Heights, MN
G Dan Tormey Cedar Rapids Syracuse, NY

2004-05 All-USHL Rookie Team
Pos Name Team Hometown
F Chad Rau Des Moines Eden Prairie, MN
F Blake Wheeler Green Bay Plymouth, MN
F Tom Gorowsky Sioux Falls Lino Lakes, MN
D Steven Kampfer Sioux City Jackson, MI
D Drew Dobson Waterloo Palatine, IL
G Drew O'Connell Waterloo Anchorage, AK

Individual Award Winners

Let's Play Hockey Player of the Year
Jeff Lerg • G, Omaha Lancers

CCM Forward of he Year
Dan Riedel • F, Lincoln Stars

USHL Defensemen of the Year
Brett Motherwell • D, Omaha Lancers

USHL Goaltender of the Year
Jeff Lerg • G, Omaha Lancers

Cardinal Sports Management Rookie of the Year
Chad Rau • F, Des Moines Buccaneers

USHL Curt Hammer Award
Christian Hanson • F, Tri-City Storm

USHL Coach of the Year
Mark Carlson • Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

USHL General Manager of the Year
Mike Hastings • Omaha Lancers

USHL Organization of the Year
Waterloo Black Hawks

Check out the United States Hockey League Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



United States Hockey League Stories from April 13, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central