USHL Sioux Falls Stampede

Connolly named USA Hockey Jr. Player of the Year

Published on May 29, 2008 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Sioux Falls Stampede News Release


Sioux Falls, SD- Former Stampede forward Jack Connolly has been named the Dave Tyler Junior Player-of-the-Year from USA Hockey. Connolly will be honored at the Player-of-the-Year awards banquet during USA Hockey's Annual Congress on Wednesday, June 6 at the Crowne Plaza's Grand Ballroom in Colorado Springs. He becomes the first ever Stampede player to win the award.

"He is very deserving of the award," said Stampede head coach Kevin Hartzell. "The award is representative of being the best amateur player in America and is a big honor for Jack. He is certainly one of the best, if not the best, pure centerman I have had the honor of coaching and it was a real treat to watch him play."

In just his first season in the USHL, Connolly tied for the league scoring title, tallying 72 points on 26 goals and 46 assists in 58 games. The Duluth, MN native led the Stampede in assists and points and finished second on the team in goals and plus/minus (+18).

He was named USHL Rookie-of-the-Year and was also named to the All-USHL First Team and USHL All-Rookie Team. He was named to the 2008 All-Star/Prospects Game in February and was named USHL Offensive Player-of-the-Week twice (January 7th & March 3rd).

Connolly also helped Team USA to a Bronze medal at the World Jr. A Challenge in November where he posted four points (2g, 2a) in four games.

"It's a great honor to win the award," said Connolly. "I want to thank my teammates for their help and especially coach Hartzell and coach Jones who gave me the opportunity to succeed. They were a big reason for my success and growth as a player and as a person last season."

Previous award winners include NHL'ers Jason Blake (Toronto) and Joe Pavelski (San Jose) as well as Ryan Potulny (Philadelphia Phantoms), Trevor Lewis (Manchester Monarchs), Nate DiCasmirro (Syracuse Crunch), and Karl Goehring (Syracuse Crunch) of the American Hockey League (AHL), the top affiliate league of the NHL.

The Stampede are currently preparing for their tryout camp which will take place this Friday-Monday at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis.

Check out the Sioux Falls Stampede Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from May 29, 2008


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