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USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Know Your Enemy: Sioux Falls Stampede

September 10, 2009 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (September 10, 2009) - In anticipation of the team's inaugural season in the United States Hockey League, the Youngstown Phantoms present "Know Your Enemy," a team-by-team guide to the USHL. This week's focus: the Sioux Falls Stampede.

Even though they make their home in the Great Plains state of South Dakota, the Sioux Falls Stampede have experienced enough ups and downs in their 10 years of existence to make the Rocky Mountains envious.

Now, coming off an even-.500 season at 28-28-4 and a first-round playoff exit, the Stampede hope their fortunes aren't bottoming out after three seasons (2005-08) on the mountaintop, during which they went a combined 112-53-15 and took home the Anderson Cup for best regular-season record in 2006 and the ultimate prize of the Clark Cup in '07.

Prior to their peak years, the Stampede stumbled around in the valley for three dark seasons, finishing last in the West Division each time. However, that low period likely made the team's subsequent surge to the top of the standings even sweeter, as Sioux Falls jumped from 59 points in 2004-05 to 90 in 2005-06 and a berth in the Clark Cup Final. After being denied at the doorstep by the Des Moines Buccaneers, the Stampede achieved atonement the following year, squeezing out the Waterloo Black Hawks for the title in a unique round-robin format.

Last season, second-year forward Terry Broadhurst helped the Stampede squeeze into the postseason by racking up a team-leading 27 goals and 31 assists. Sioux Falls' best facilitator was rookie David Eddy, who was credited with 35 helpers on the year. Robbie Vrolyk, in his third year with the Stampede, tossed in 24 goals to help the cause as well.

On a team with average plus-minus ratings, defenseman Max Grover stood out with his sparkling +23. Only two other D-men, Chad Ruhwedel (+13) and George Michalke (+11), earned their way into double digits. Third-year man Eric Hartzell took the reins in goal, backstopping his way to 20 of Sioux Falls' 28 victories.

Sioux Falls has seen a tremendous array of top-shelf NHL talent pass through town in the past decade. That list is headlined by 2001-02 USHL scoring champion Thomas Vanek, now an offensive force for the Buffalo Sabres. Other notable pros to wear the Stampede's crest are Chad LaRose (Carolina Hurricanes), T.J. Oshie (St. Louis Blues), Andreas Nodl (Philadelphia Flyers) and the Pittsburgh Penguins' Alex Goligoski, who also helped the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers to a national championship after playing in Sioux Falls.

The Stampede are led off the ice by CEO Gary Weckwerth, who has held that position since the franchise's inception in 1999. Head coach/general manager Kevin Hartzell spearheads the hockey operations department. The Stampede's team colors are blue, black, gold and white and they play at the 4,800-seat Sioux Falls Arena.

The Youngstown Phantoms are a Member Club of the United States Hockey League (USHL), America's only Tier I hockey league and premier developer of National Hockey League talent with more than 100 alumni on current NHL rosters.

Visit www.youngstownphantoms.com or call the Front Office at 330.747.PUCK(7825) for more information on the Phantoms organization. The Youngstown Phantoms are owned by the B.J. Alan Company (Phantom Fireworks), located in Youngstown, Ohio.

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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.

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