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USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks

Lumberjacks Unveil Five-Year Anniversary Logo

May 20, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


MUSKEGON, Michigan (May 20th) - The Muskegon Lumberjacks are celebrating their fifth season in the United States Hockey League (USHL) during the upcoming 2014-15 season and have unveiled a special five-year anniversary logo to commemorate the five seasons spent in the nation's only Tier I junior hockey league along with acknowledging the numerous achievements accomplished by the organization and its players.

"Heading into our fifth season in the United States Hockey League is a testament to the previous owner, who introduced the USHL brand to the West Michigan area," said Lumberjacks General Manager John Vanbiesbrouck. "People at the National Hockey League level have long known about the rich and deep talent pool of USHL student-athletes that are showcasing their elite talent and embarking upon careers that will take nearly all of them to NCAA Division I college programs. Undoubtedly, those who continue to combine their talent with hard work will have an opportunity to earn a living playing in the NHL. As a former player (19-year NHL career) I speak with NHL and NCAA executives and coaches about our players on almost a daily basis. We have a great opportunity and responsibility in Muskegon to help develop both hockey and life skills with young men who will become leaders on and off the ice for years to come."

As a team, the Lumberjacks have amassed a total of 105 wins during their first four seasons in the USHL. That includes two appearances in the Clark Cup Playoffs during the 2010-11 and 2012-13 seasons, and back-to-back 30-win seasons the last two years consisting of a team USHL record 31 wins (72 points) notched during the 2012-13 regular season.

Throughout their brief history in the league, the Lumberjacks have had notable alumni recognized for their achievements both on and off the ice. The postseason awards began following the 2010-11 season as alumnus Jaycob Megna captured the USHL Scholar-Athlete Award for his dedicated work in the classroom. Additionally, Kevin Lindskoug (Goaltender of the Year and All-USHL First Team) and Michael Brodzinski (All-Rookie Team and All-USHL Second Team) both claimed two league postseason honors during the 2012-13 season. In regards to the current Lumberjacks, Matt Iacopelli became the newest addition to the list of award recipients claiming All-USHL First Team honors during the recent 2013-14 season.

In addition, Muskegon has received 14 overall Player of the Week selections from nine different players as Lindskoug leads the way among all honorees winning the Goaltender of the Week honor three times during the 2012-13 regular season.

To date, the Lumberjacks have 25 alumni that finished their respective junior careers in Muskegon playing at the Division I level in college. The 2014-15 season marks the first graduating class, as Ryan Misiak (Mercyhurst), Chris Lochner (Niagara), Issac Kohls (Niagara), Matt Berry (Michigan State), Casey Thrush (New Hampshire), Charlie Taft (Colorado College), and Patrick Koudys (Penn State) will be seniors at their respective schools. All except for Koudys (2012-13 season) played on Muskegon's first USHL team during the 2010-11 season.

In conjunction, the Lumberjacks have had nine players associated within the organization who were selected during the NHL Entry Draft in Adam Gilmour (Minnesota), Doyle Somerby (New York Islanders), Brendan Woods (Carolina), Patrick Koudys (Washington), Matej Paulovic (Dallas), Michael Brodzinski (San Jose), Ben Storm (Colorado), Matt DeBlouw (Calgary), and Jaycob Megna (Anaheim). Out of the nine, two have already inked an entry-level contract with their respective NHL clubs. Woods, who became the first former Lumberjack to sign a professional deal back in April of 2013, signed with the Carolina Hurricanes after two seasons at the University of Wisconsin. Recently, Megna was the second Muskegon alumnus to sign an entry-level deal in early May with the team that drafted him, the Anaheim Ducks. Both Woods (Charlotte Checkers) and Megna (Norfolk Admirals) are playing with their respective squads in the American Hockey League (AHL).

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