Stampede Deal Williams, Acquire Williams and Top Prospect from Waterloo
February 1, 2012 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Sioux Falls Stampede News Release
Sioux Falls, SD-The Sioux Falls Stampede announced Wednesday night they have acquired NHL prospect goaltender Jay Williams and high school prep star forward Zach Stepan from the Waterloo Black Hawks in exchange for goaltender Stephon Williams.
Jay Williams is committed to nationally ranked Miami University for the 2012-13 season. The RedHawks are members of the CCHA and currently ranked #18 in the country. He recently participated in the USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Muskegon, MI and played on the same team as Stephon Williams. The McLean, VA native was in his second season with the Black Hawks and ranks fifth in the USHL with an 11-5-4 record, a 2.62 goals-against-average (GAA) and a .904 save percentage. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound goaltender appeared in 20 games last season with Waterloo, going 7-10-2 with a 3.49 GAA and a .891 save percentage.
Stepan is currently a senior at Shattuck-St. Mary's in Minnesota, one of the top prep hockey schools in the country. Sidney Crosby, Kyle Okposo and former Stampede forward Matt Ford are some of the most notable former players that have skated at Shattuck. A native of Faribault, MN, Stepan leads the team in scoring with 55 points (18g, 37a) in 40 games while helping lead Shattuck-St. Mary's to a current record of 36-4-1. He will be placed on the Stampede's affiliate list. He has already committed to The Ohio State University for the 2013-14 season. His hockey bloodlines run deep. His cousin, Derek Stepan, plays for the New York Rangers.
"This is a trade that works well for both teams," said Stampede head coach Kevin Hartzell. "Stephon was a key component to our success last season that saw us climb to the Western Conference Finals. This gives him a chance to play on a nightly basis. Meanwhile, we acquire another top-end goaltender that can help us win and a very talented forward for next season."
Stephon Williams was in his second season with the Stampede. He is committed to Minnesota State-Mankato and went 6-9-2 with a 2.70 GAA and a .913 in 21 games with the Stampede this season. The Fairbanks, AK native went 20-7-6 with a 2.59 GAA and a .909 in 35 games last season. He also participated in the USHL/NHL Top Prospects game last week and faced Jay Williams and Waterloo back on October 8th with the Stampede winning 3-2 in a shootout. Stephon had 37 saves in that game while Jay stopped 42 of 44 shots.
The Stampede and Black Hawks will face each other tomorrow night (Friday), but neither player is expected to play in the game. Game time Friday is 7:05 PM and it is also "Military Night." Veterans and active members of the military can purchase tickets for just $5 each with their military ID. The Herd will also play home Saturday night when they host Fargo at 7:05 PM.
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