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USHL Des Moines Buccaneers

Okposo, Petry Headline New Hall of Fame Class

March 17, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Des Moines Buccaneers News Release


(Urbandale, IA) Over the course of 34 seasons, hundreds of players have donned a Des Moines Buccaneers uniform with some becoming forgotten names on a roster insert but many being remembered to a certain degree. However, there are those limited few whose mere mention of their name draws out the widest of involuntary grins from Buccaneers' fans and it's these individuals who proudly represent the team's Hall of Fame.

On Saturday March 15th, the Des Moines Buccaneers were proud to induct five new members into the team's Hall of Fame, with each inductee having been selected by a volunteer committee of fans. 2005-2006 Clark Cup champion teammates Kyle Okposo and Jeff Petry headlined a group that also included high scoring forward Chad Rau, standout goaltender Matt Carney and original Buccaneer Myles Hart. Each player left a permanent mark among the grand history of the team and will now have their names forever passed on for generations to come.

This class joins the previous 25 inductees in representing the gold standard in team history.

Matt Carney

Matt Carney was a standout goaltender in his only season with the Buccaneers in 1998-1999 and helped the team claim both the Anderson Cup and Clark Cup. He went an amazing 31-5-1 with four shutouts and a .921 save percentage. His 31 wins that season are still the most in a single-season by any goaltender in team history and his four shutouts are tied for the second most. Following his time with the Buccaneer, Matt went onto to a career at the University of New Hampshire.

Myles Hart

An original Buccaneer who played from 1980 until 1982, Myles Hart was an offensive standout even in an era of high scoring in junior hockey. He was among the top point getters in the USHL for both his seasons and his 70 assists in 1980-1981 remain a franchise record more than three decades later. Myles played on the first two Buccaneers' teams, earning him another special distinction as being part of a group that resurrected hockey as a spectator sport in Central Iowa.

Kyle Okposo

Kyle Okposo came to the Buccaneers preceded by hype and lived up to it during his only season in the USHL by playing a key role on a Clark Cup Championship team in 2005-2006. Not only did he score 27 goals during the regular season but contributed 16 points, including five goals, in 11 playoff games. In June 2006, he became one of the highest NHL draft picks in USHL history when the New York Islanders selected him with the seventh overall selection. After spending two seasons at the University of Minnesota, Kyle has turned into one of the better American-born NHL players as a member of the New York Islanders.

Jeff Petry

Jeff Petry was a stalwart defenseman who developed one of the best shots from the blue line the USHL has ever seen. He played in 122 career games registering 73 points, including 21 goals, and earned many awards including a Clark Cup Championship in 2006. In 2006-2007, he was named the USA Hockey Junior player of the year, the USHL defenseman of the year and placed on the USHL First-Team.

Following three seasons at Michigan State, Jeff has continued his career in the NHL, playing with the Edmonton Oilers since 2010.

Chad Rau

In one season in Des Moines, Chad Rau became one of the highest scoring players in the franchise's Tier I era when he registered 71 points, including 31 goals, in 2004-2005 and was honored as the USHL Rookie of the Year. After four seasons with Colorado College, Chad has played professionally since 2009 and made his NHL debut during the 2011-2012 season. Chad is currently playing in the American Hockey League with the Worcester Sharks.

The Buccaneers Hall of Fame started in the mid 1990s but no inductions were made following the 2002 season until current management reinstituted the program in the summer of 2012. A volunteer committee that is open to all fans has been established to review criteria regularly, nominate and select each year's class.

The Hall of Fame members prior to last Saturday:

Jamie Adams Player

Reggie Berg Player

Beau Bilek Player

John Blue Player

Scott Clemmensen Player

Dave Cooper Player

Paul Erickson Player

Bob Ferguson Coach

Brad Frattaroli Player

Peter Fregoe Player

Don Geiger Board Member

Curt Hammer Board Member

Nick Krueger Player

Scott Krueger Player

Trevor Lewis Player

Marc Magliarditi Player

Bob Nardella Player

Scott Owens Coach

Ivan Prediger Coach

Scott Purpur Player

Mike Real Player

Eric Rud Player

Kelly Sanner Fan

Peter Sejna Player

Daryl Seltenrich Player

Any fan interested in being a part of the selection process for 2015 should contact Scott Montesano at the 278-2827 ext. 7027 or scott@bucshockey.com.

The Des Moines Buccaneers are prepping for their 35th consecutive season in the United States Hockey League in 2014-2015. Since 1980, the Buccaneers have produced hundreds of NCAA Division I players and dozens of professional alumni. Season Ticket Packages and Corporate Partnership information for the 2013-2014 season are available by calling (515) 278-2827.

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