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Ryan Blankemeier Earns USHL Scholar-Athlete Award

June 10, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL) News Release


Chicago, IL - The United States Hockey League today announced that Ryan Blankemeier of the Chicago Steel has been named the 2014-15 recipient of the USHL Scholar-Athlete Award.

It was the first USHL season for Blankemeier after the Steel selected him in the first round (17th overall) in Phase Two of the 2014 USHL Draft. The Oak Park, Illinois native is a product of the Chicago Young Americans youth program where he spent the three previous seasons.

Blankemeier recently graduated from Oak Park and River Forest High School (OPRF), finishing his four years with a cumulative weighted grade-point-average of 4.84 on a 4.00 scale and being named one of the school's valedictorians in a graduating class of nearly 1,000 students. In addition to earning recognition as an Illinois State Scholar, he was named a Finalist for the National Merit Scholarship which is annually awarded to less than one-percent of all high school students in the United States.

His coursework included multiple Advanced Placement classes throughout his high school career, including Chemistry and Government during his senior year. Blankemeier completed four years of Chinese classes in just three years and spent his senior year as a teacher assistant, helping to teach second-year Chinese classes. Additionally, he tutored underclassmen at Oak Park and River Forest High School in both Chemistry and Math.

Blankemeier took coursework from his junior year and applied it to a senior year independent study program in which he studied the racial achievement gap at OPRF. He spent time observing and interviewing people both in and outside of the school and then presented his findings at the University of Illinois' Ethnography of the University Initiative Conference.

He also volunteered his time between schoolwork and hockey to participate in the Best Buddies Club, a program which unites students with people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Volunteers build friendships and offer members of the program opportunities for leadership development and gain necessary tools to become more independent and included in their community.

The forward produced 31 points (16g, 15a) while appearing in all but one of the 60 regular season games this season for the Chicago Steel. He helped lead the team to a 30-27-3 record, the most victories for the Steel since the 2008-09 season. Blankemeier scored his first USHL goal on October 31st vs. Cedar Rapids and then went on to score five more goals over the next seven games. He recorded his first USHL hat trick on December 5th vs. Des Moines, scoring the three goals in three different ways - power play, shorthanded, and even strength.

Blankemeier is set to return to the Chicago Steel for the 2015-16 season. The 18-year-old is committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at Dartmouth College following his USHL career. The Ivy League school is located in Hanover, New Hampshire.

Established in 2007, the USHL Scholar-Athlete Award recognizes players for both their success in the classroom and on the ice. Candidates are nominated by their coaches, teachers, and academic counselors based on their grade-point-average, coursework, and overall school participation. Blankemeier is the first-ever recipient of the award from the Chicago Steel.

"Ryan personifies the ultimate USHL student-athlete, as focused and accomplished on the ice as he is in the classroom," said Bob Fallen, USHL President and Commissioner. "Our league prides itself on being a part of the junior to college hockey developmental path. Ryan and the other honorees are all special individuals who struck a balance between a demanding hockey schedule and the rigors of a challenging academic schedule. Their skill sets will serve them well in their future hockey and life endeavors and we wish them the best."

In addition to earning the USHL Scholar-Athlete Award, Blankemeier joins four other players who earned USHL All-Academic honors;

Ryan Blankemeier (F), Chicago Steel

Trey Dodd (F), Dubuque Fighting Saints

Ryan Walker (F), Sioux City Musketeers

Luke Opilka (G), Team USA

Kyle Connor (F), Youngstown Phantoms

2014-15 USHL All-Academic Honorees

Trey Dodd

The Brown University commit maintained straight A's despite shifting schools during the year after being acquired by the Saints from the Austin Bruins in the NAHL. His coursework at Dubuque Senior High School included Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry, Economics, and Psychology. Dodd recorded 14 points (6g, 8a) a plus-six rating over 33 games for the Saints. Three of his six goals were game-winners.

Ryan Walker

The Union College commit earned 4.20 weighted GPA on a 4.00 scale this year while taking honors courses at Sioux City East High School. He was recognized as a National Honor Society student. Walker appeared in all 60 regular season games for the Musketeers and put up 34 points (10g, 24a). Additionally, he competed for the team at the Junior Club World Cup in Russia last August.

Luke Opilka

The University of Wisconsin commit compiled a 3.82 GPA over the last two years at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan with coursework that included Advanced Placement Biology, World Economics, and Literature during his senior year. He posted an 11-1-2 record with a 2.48 GAA and .901 SV% during USHL action while also competing for Team USA on the international stage and against NCAA competition.

Kyle Connor

The University of Michigan commit earned nearly all A's while attending Austintown Fitch High School with coursework this year that included American Government, Economics, Consumer Math, and College Prep Writing. He maintained high grades while also excelling on the ice as he was named the USHL Player of the Year and dealt with the attention of being a top prospect for the upcoming 2015 NHL Draft.

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