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USHL Des Moines Buccaneers

Buccaneers Stand Pat as USHL Trade Deadline Passes

February 28, 2017 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Des Moines Buccaneers News Release


The USHL trade deadline has come and gone and the Des Moines Buccaneers have elected to stand pat and continue rolling with the team that has the longest active winning streak in the USHL at six games and is currently sitting third in the Western Conference with a 29-14-1-3 record, good for 62 points.

"There was one guy that we would have made a big play for and we had the assets from management but he wasn't gonna get moved and he's in the other division and I really respect and applaud the decision that (his unnamed team is) gonna move forward with him," admits Des Moines Buccaneers Head Coach Dave Allison. "We liked some of the guys that are out there but we're good to go."

The month of February saw some really big names moving teams in the USHL including Austin Alger, Tarek Baker, Easton Brodzinski, Pierce Crawford, Danny DiGrande, Eric MacAdams and Jason O'Neill just to name a few. There was hectic movement in the 48-hour period before the deadline came to pass with Sioux Falls trading away Austin Albrecht, Jack Doremus and Alex Stevens while Bloomington parted ways with Mitchell Chaffee, Harrison Feeney and Ben Mirageas. Yet Des Moines has kept the same roster they've had since their last trade back on January 26th when they acquired Scooter Brickey for a Phase II Round 3 pick in 2017 and future considerations. Brickey has been a fantastic pickup as the defenseman has scored two game winning goals and five points with a +12 rating in eleven games for Des Moines.

Buccaneer Assistant Coach Nate Weossner feels like this group has persevered through a lot this season and deserves a chance to keep this core intact. "These guys have come so far together and you look at the stats in the league and we're up there with everybody," points out Weossner. "You walk that fine line and tightrope with chemistry and statistical success. We really like our group and we like the pieces that we have. If we'd go out and get somebody else all we'd be doing is potentially replacing something we already do have. We owe it to our guys and they owe it to each other to see this through."

Coach Allison points out that while the Buccaneers didn't make any moves at the deadline, they've certainly been active throughout the year acquiring players to make the team better. "We made our moves as we've moved along here, getting Hudie, Jones, Brickey, Albano, Parsells..." lists Allison. "We've been content to let people lead and have people learn how to follow and now we think we've got a team where every guy is capable of driving the bus. We had a conversation with all our guys today and said 'This is our group.' "

While Allison is also the General Manager of the Buccaneers, it was the advice of others on the staff that helped him decide the right thing to do was not make any moves in February. "Every time I looked around or talked to Rick (Beckfeld, Director of Player Personnel) or talked to Nate (Weossner) we realized these kids have gotten us here and there's more to give. There's a lot of guys here that are just now hitting their stride," boasts Allison. "Demler has been a great captain along with Kobe (Roth) and David Keefer; those guys have been rock stars. Those guys deserve the opportunity to finish what they started and each and every one of them has done well but there's another level for everybody."

Up next for the Buccaneers is a road contest with the Omaha Lancers on Friday, March 3rd, before hosting the Sioux Falls Stampede on Saturday, March 4th. The home contest is Buc Night meaning $1 hot dogs, popcorn and soft drinks, for tickets call 278-2827

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United States Hockey League Stories from February 28, 2017


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