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USHL Tri-City Storm

Hulton Named USHL General Manager of the Year

May 29, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Tri-City Storm News Release


Tri-City Storm Head Coach and General Manager Jim Hulton
Tri-City Storm Head Coach and General Manager Jim Hulton
(Tri-City Storm)

CHICAGO, Ill. - The United States Hockey League today announced that Tri-City Storm Head Coach and General Manager Jim Hulton has been named the 2014-15 USHL General Manager of the Year as determined by a vote of league coaches and general managers.

It was the first full season for Hulton with Tri-City after taking over midway through the 2013-14 season. He guided the Storm to a 37-17-6 record (80 points), finishing just one point back of first place in the USHL Western Conference standings. It was the most wins in a season for the Storm since the 2003-04 season (43), and the team qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2012.

Hulton guided the Storm to a 10-game winning streak from January 9th to February 7th, equaling a team record. The team also won 10 straight home games from January 9th to February 28th which tied for a USHL season high and established a new Storm record.

Tri-City was among the league leaders in multiple categories, most significantly first in team defense by giving up the fewest goals (158) over the 60-game regular season. They also ranked second in power play conversion (25.1%) and sixth overall in goals scored (202).

Hulton and the Storm began building the 2014-15 roster through the 2014 USHL Draft, adding some key pieces during Phase Two. Forward Mason Appleton was the team's first-round selection and went on to score 40 points (12g, 28a) this season for Tri-City. Goaltender Alec Dillon was selected in the second round and proved to be a huge difference maker, posting a 23-11-4 record while leading all USHL goaltenders with a 2.27 goals-against-average.

Off-season moves also bolstered the lineup, including the acquisition of Bobby Nardella from Sioux City. He would put up 42 points (10g, 32a), tying for third in scoring among USHL defensemen, and was key to the Storm power play as he dished out 22 assists on the man-advantage. The Storm also added Nick Master who spent the previous season in Cedar Rapids. Master thrived with Tri-City, tying for third on the team in scoring with 42 points (23g, 19a) and leading the squad with a plus-20 rating. Jake Wahlin was another acquisition by Tri-City that paid dividends as he put up 41 points (15g, 26a) in his first full USHL season.

During the season, Hulton made some key moves to help solidify the roster and make a run towards the playoffs. In December, the team acquired Jared Rutledge who played a significant role as a backup goaltender, posting a 13-3-1 record over 20 appearances. A February trade with the Bloomington Thunder brought veteran defenseman Vince Pedrie to the Storm. He would add seven points (4g, 3a) and post a plus-18 rating over 23 games down the stretch run of the regular season.

Veteran Storm players also thrived under Hulton's guidance. Chris Wilkie tied for the USHL lead with 35 goals which also tied a team record. Captain Garrett Gamez finished second in scoring on the team with 44 points (15g, 29a) in 44 games.

A total of 25 players that suited up for the Storm this season are committed to play NCAA Division I hockey. Additionally, three were selected to compete in the 2015 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game; forwards Wilkie and Matthew Freytag, along with defenseman Tory Dello.

Hulton has compiled a 54-43-8 record over the past two seasons in the USHL. He is the second Storm GM to be named the USHL General Manager of the Year, joining Bliss Littler who earned the award following the 2003-04 season.

Tri-City is preparing for the team's annual tryout camp, which will be held in Las Vegas June 15-21.

Check out the Tri-City Storm Statistics




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Tri-City Storm Head Coach and General Manager Jim Hulton
Tri-City Storm Head Coach and General Manager Jim Hulton
 Tri-City Storm Head Coach and General Manager Jim Hulton
Tri-City Storm Head Coach and General Manager Jim Hulton
  



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