Former USHL Players to Play For Stanley Cup
June 12, 2013 - United States Hockey League (USHL) News Release
Chicago, IL - The Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins are set to compete in the Stanley Cup Final series beginning this week, and a number of USHL connections will be on hockey's biggest stage as the teams compete for the NHL's most coveted prize.
A trio of USHL alumni have contributed to the Chicago Blackhawks postseason success, including Patrick Sharp who is tied for the team lead in points (14) and goals (8) through 17 playoff games, and his eight goals also rank tied for second among all NHL players in the postseason. He scored 98 points (39g, 59a) over two USHL seasons with the Thunder Bay Flyers (1998-2000). Forward Brandon Saad has also played all 17 playoff games for Chicago and chipped in four assists. He was one of the top scorers for Team USA during USHL play in the 2009-10 season as he collected 26 points (12g, 14a) in 24 games. Brandon Bollig appeared in three games for the Blackhawks early in the playoffs. He spent three seasons in the USHL with the Lincoln Stars (2005-08) and recorded 73 points (37g, 36a) and 593 penalty minutes over 173 career regular season games in the League.
The Boston Bruins have been boosted by a pair of former USHL defensemen in the playoffs. After playing just three NHL games previously, Torey Krug has played nine playoff games for the Bruins. He scored a goal in his first NHL playoff game on May 16th and went on to score three more goals in the series against the New York Rangers, becoming the first NHL rookie defenseman to score four goals over his first five playoff games. Just four years ago, Krug was a key factor for the Indiana Ice as they won their first Clark Cup title as he led all USHL defensemen in the postseason with a plus-11 rating to go along with seven points (1g, 6a). He earned USHL All-Rookie honors in 2008-09 after finishing second among USHL defensemen with 47 points (10g, 37a) in 59 games.
Bruins defenseman Matt Bartkowski has also translated USHL success into the NHL level. He has played 20 NHL games over the last three seasons and has appeared in seven playoff games this spring. In just his second NHL playoff game, he scored his first NHL goal in first-round victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs on May 13th. Bartkowski was named to the All-USHL First Team following the 2007-08 season after finishing third in scoring among USHL defensemen with 41 points (4g, 37a) while appearing in all 60 regular season games.
With USHL alumni on the roster of both Stanley Cup Final teams, it marks the 10th consecutive season that at least one former USHL player will get his name engraved on the historic trophy. A total of 20 USHL alumni already have their name on the Stanley Cup.
USHL at the Stanley Cup Final:
Been Here Before...Boston Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli is part-owner of the Dubuque Fighting Saints. When the Saints won the Clark Cup in 2011, Chiarelli also won the Stanley Cup title with Boston, and now finds his Bruins in the Stanley Cup Final series after the Saints again won the Clark Cup this spring.
Not Long Ago...Bruins defenseman Torey Krug won the Clark Cup with the Indiana Ice in 2009. Should he and the Bruins win the Stanley Cup, he would be just the fifth player to win both titles in their hockey careers. He is the first Ice alum to compete in the Stanley Cup Final series.
Looking for Another...Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp won the Stanley Cup in 2010 and has the opportunity to become just the third USHL alum to win the Cup twice during his NHL career, joining Ruslan Fedotenko and Brian Rafalski.
Teammates to Opponents...Bruins defenseman Matt Bartkowski and Blackhawks forward Brandon Bollig were teammates for two seasons in the USHL with the Lincoln Stars (2006-08). One of them will become the first Lincoln Stars alum to have his name etched on the Stanley Cup.
Whistle Blower...Referee Chris Rooney has earned the assignment to work in the Stanley Cup Final for the second consecutive season. He became the first former USHL official to work in the championship series last season.
USHL Alumni on the Stanley Cup:
Davis Drewiske (Des Moines Buccaneers, 2003-04) - Los Angeles Kings (2012)
Matt Greene (Green Bay Gamblers, 2001-02) - Los Angeles Kings (2012)
Trevor Lewis (Des Moines Buccaneers, 2004-06) - Los Angeles Kings (2012) *won 2006 USHL Clark Cup
Alec Martinez (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 2004-05) - Los Angeles Kings (2012) *won 2005 USHL Clark Cup
Steven Kampfer (Sioux City Musketeers, 2004-06) - Boston Bruins (2011)
Adam Burish (Green Bay Gamblers, 2001-02) - Chicago Blackhawks (2010)
Patrick Sharp (Thunder Bay Flyers, 1998-2000) - Chicago Blackhawks (2010)
Mark Eaton (Waterloo Black Hawks, 1995-97) - Pittsburgh (2009)
Ruslan Fedotenko (Sioux City Musketeers, 1998-99) - Pittsburgh (2009), Tampa Bay (2004)
Alex Goligoski (Sioux Falls Stampede/Omaha Lancers, 2002-04) - Pittsburgh Penguins (2009)
Brian Rafalski (Madison Capitols, 1990-91) - Detroit Red Wings (2008), New Jersey Devils (2000, 2003)
Ryan Carter (Green Bay Gamblers, 2002-04) - Anaheim Ducks (2007)
Drew Miller (Omaha Lancers, 2002-03) - Anaheim Ducks (2007)
Joe Motzko (Omaha Lancers, 1998-99) - Anaheim Ducks (2007)
Erik Cole (Des Moines Buccaneers, 1996-97) - Carolina Hurricanes (2006)
Chad LaRose (Sioux Falls Stampede, 1999-2001) - Carolina Hurricanes (2006)
John Grahame (Sioux City Musketeers,1993-94) - Tampa Bay Lightning (2004)
Shjon Podein (Rochester Mustangs, 1986-87) - Colorado Avalanche (2001) *won 1987 USHL Clark Cup
Derek Plante (Madison Capitols, 1988-89) - Dallas Stars (1999)
Gary Suter (Dubuque Fighting Saints, 1981-83) - Calgary Flames (1989) *won 1983 USHL Clark Cup
United States Hockey League Stories from June 12, 2013
- Salvaggio Commits to University of New Hampshire - Indiana Ice
- Former USHL Players to Play For Stanley Cup - USHL
- Storm Tab Bittner, Largen As New Assistants - Tri-City Storm
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.
