Lancers Collect Honors Heading into Postseason
Published on April 8, 2014 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
RALSTON, NE - With the opening game of the 2014 Clark Cup playoffs looming on Saturday, several members of the Omaha Lancers garnered distinction this week as USHL-leading scorer Jake Randolph established a new league standard for regular-season assists on Saturday, Lancers forwards Steven Spinner, Anthony Angello and Tyler Vesel, and defenseman Luc Snuggerud, were named to the NHL Central Scouting Service's final pre-draft rankings for North American skaters on Tuesday while several Lancers players claimed team awards at the Lancers' annual awards banquet on Sunday.
A Duluth, Minnesota native and Nebraska-Omaha recruit, Randolph paced all USHL skaters in scoring this season with 26 goals, 60 assists and 86 points. By virtue of a two-assist performance in the regular season's final game, a 4-2 road victory over the Sioux Falls Stampede on Saturday, Randolph broke the USHL's Tier 1 Era (2002-Present) record for assists in a season, a mark previously held by Indiana Ice forward John Kemp who notched 59 helpers during the 2007-08 season. Randolph also finished the 2013-14 campaign with a league-leading 24 power-play assists to his credit.
"The record Jake set is really special and a great accomplishment for him, but it's also a team achievement," said Lancers Head Coach and General Manager Brian Kaufman on Tuesday. "We're very happy for Jake. He's been consistent all year long, he's played in every game and he's been consistently productive.we're really excited for him."
On Tuesday, the NHL's Central Scouting Service released its final ranking of draft-eligible North American skaters, an array that features four current Lancers players, three of them Nebraska-Omaha recruits. Lancers defenseman, future Maverick and Eden Prairie, Minnesota native Luc Snuggerud is the 42nd-ranked player on the list, followed by 6'0", 196 lb. forward and future UNO winger Steven Spinner, also an Eden Prairie native, at number 96. Also included are rookie Lancers centerman and Cornell commit Anthony Angello, a native of Manlius, New York, at number 114 and leading Lancers goal scorer Tyler Vesel, a Rochester, Minnesota native and future Mav, at number 188.
"We're very happy to have so many of our guys on [the NHL's Central Scouting list]," said Kaufman. "While this doesn't mean these guys necessarily will be drafted, it does recognize them for being quality players.it's great for them and a huge honor and it's a nice reward for their hard work. They're all very deserving of the recognition."
On Sunday, the Lancers held their annual year-end team awards banquet during which several Lancers players claimed various awards, the majority of which were voted on by the players and coaches. A full list of award winners is included below.
2013-14 Omaha Lancers Team Award Winners
Certified Transmission "Job Done Right" Award - Hayden Hawkey
Phil Todd Memorial Scholarship - Steven Johnson
Dillon Hayes Humanitarian Award - Cole Bruns
Ted Baer Most Improved Player Award - Hayden Hawkey
Mike Hastings Rookie of the Year Award - Tyler Vesel
Luc Robitaille Forward of the Year Award - Jake Randolph
Jake Forbes Defenseman of the Year Award - Tucker Poolman
Motto McLean Leadership Award - Luca Frigo & Gage Hough
Eddie Bruneteau Most Valuable Player Award - Tucker Poolman
Next up for the Lancers, it's game one of their best-of-five Western Conference Semi-Final series vs. the Sioux City Musketeers on Saturday, April 12th at 7:05 pm at Ralston Arena. Full coverage of Saturday's game begins with the "Valpak Pregame Show" at 6:50 pm on the Lancers' flagship station, "The Mighty" 1290 KOIL with Lancers broadcaster Tony Brown providing the play-by-play.
2014 Clark Cup Playoff tickets are on sale now by phone at 402-344-7825, extension 1, online at www.lancers.com and via the Ralston Arena box office, located just inside the southeast entrance at 7300 Q Street in Ralston.
In 2014-15, the five-time Anderson Cup and seven-time Clark Cup Champion Omaha Lancers drop the puck on their 29th season in the USHL. Season ticket packages for the Lancers' third campaign at the state-of-the-art Ralston Arena are available now starting at just $12.50 per game! To reserve your seats, contact the Lancers' ticket office today at 402-344-7825, extension 1, or log on to www.lancers.com for more information. Be sure to follow the Lancers on Twitter @OmahaLancers and don't forget to 'Like' the official "Omaha Lancers" fan page on Facebook.
United States Hockey League Stories from April 8, 2014
- Waterloo Black Hawks Weekly Preview - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Lancers Collect Honors Heading into Postseason - Omaha Lancers
- Matt Iacopelli and Eric Schierhorn Appear on NHL Central Scouting's Final Rankings - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Ice Players Honored by USHL; Playoffs Begin Friday at Pan Am - Indiana Ice
- Storm Fans Raise $9,718 with Jerseys for a Cause - Tri-City Storm
- Hawks Defensemen Climb Prospect List - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Wolff Ranks Highly with NHL Central Scouting - Des Moines Buccaneers
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