Omaha's Hamburg & Youngstown's Mahalak Share USHL Scholar-Athlete Award
Published on April 27, 2010 under United States Hockey League (USHL) News Release
Chicago, IL - The United States Hockey League today announced that Youngstown Phantoms goaltender Matt Mahalak and Omaha Lancers forward Anthony Hamburg have named as co-recipients of the USHL Scholar-Athlete Award.
Since its inception in 2007, the USHL Scholar-Athlete recognizes players for their success in the classroom and on the ice. USHL players are nominated by their coaches, teachers, and academic counselors based on their grade-point-average, coursework, and overall school participation. Previous recipients of the honor are Omaha Lancers goaltender Jeff Teglia (2008-09) and Sioux Falls Stampede forward Matt Farris (2007-08).
"It's impossible to overstate the physical and emotional rigor the USHL imposes on its players - while at the same time demanding from them a like commitment to the classroom and academics," said USHL Commissioner Skip Prince. "Matt and Anthony come from different regions of the country, play different positions on the ice, and competed in different divisions this year - but shared outstanding achievement in scholarship while being mainstays for their teams. It's one of the toughest things to do, and they did it gracefully and well. Congratulations to both of them for sharing this award."
Hamburg recorded 22 points (5g, 17a) in 54 games for the Lancers during his first USHL season, helping the team to a first-place finish in the West Division. In just his second game in the League, he dished out two assists in the 3-1 win over Lincoln on October 10th, 2009. The 6-1, 190-pound forward from Phoenix, Arizona was selected by the Lancers in the 2009 USHL Entry Draft last spring.
As a senior at Millard Public Schools in Omaha, Nebraska, the 18-year-old Hamburg has earned straight "A's" while balancing academic life with the rigors of a 60-game USHL season. His coursework has included Economics, American Government, Creative Writing, and Law Studies. Hamburg is committed to continuing his academic and playing career at Colgate University following his time in the USHL.
"It's great to see how Anthony has prioritized his life," said Omaha Lancers Head Coach and General Manager Bliss Littler. "There's no doubt that family, school, and hockey are his top priorities and it's great to see him excel in the classroom as well as on the ice."
Mahalak completed his first USHL season in 2009-10 after being the 1st overall pick in the 2009 USHL Futures Draft last May. He posted nine victories in 31 appearances for the expansion Phantoms. The goaltender won in his USHL debut, making 25 saves in the 5-4 victory vs. Des Moines on October 10th, 2009. He turned aside a season high 44 saves in a 3-2 loss to Cedar Rapids on January 23rd, one day after celebrating his 17th birthday.
Off the ice, Mahalak has maintained a 4.00 grade point average while finishing up his final semester at Ursuline High School in Youngstown, Ohio. He is a full year ahead in his coursework, and will earn a high school diploma this spring. Prior to playing in the USHL, the Monroe, Michigan native attended the prestigious Culver Military Academy for two years.
"Matt was a very dedicated person both on and off the ice this season," said Youngstown Phantoms Head Coach and General Manager Curtis Carr. "We are very proud of his accomplishments and we know he'll be successful in whatever endeavor he applies himself. He is a tremendously detailed and organized individual and that led him to be a top-notch performer in Youngstown - at the rink and in the classroom."
United States Hockey League Stories from April 27, 2010
- Omaha's Hamburg & Youngstown's Mahalak Share USHL Scholar-Athlete Award - USHL
- Arnold Wins Hammer Award - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Waterloo's Derek Arnold Named Recipient Of USHL Curt Hammer Award - USHL
- Phantom Philes: Phantoms-Centric Clark Cup Final Preview - Youngstown Phantoms
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