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USHL Sioux Falls Stampede

Stampede Release Opening Night Roster

September 25, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Sioux Falls Stampede News Release


Sioux Falls, SD-The Sioux Falls Stampede announced their roster for opening night on Thursday afternoon. The roster includes seven players from last year's Clark Cup champion team, including Lawton Courtnall, Stefanos Lekkas, Collin Peters, Jack Suter, Chaz Switzer, Parker Tuomie and Daniel Warpecha. Click here to view the entire roster.

Tuomie will serve as team captain for the Herd and is the clubs top returning scorer. The Bremerhaven, Germany native posted 34 points (19g, 15a) in 52 games last season and led the club with five game-winning goals. He posted four points in the playoffs while leading the Herd to their second ever Clark Cup championship title and has already committed to play collegiate hockey at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Lekkas returns between the pipes after playing a key role in the Stampede's championship season last year. He went 23-14-3 with a 2.76 goals-against-average and a .903 save percentage during the regular season. He followed a successful regular season with an even stronger postseason, going 9-3 with a 2.10 GAA and a .932 save percentage. He will play between the pipes next season at Vermont.

Some of the key newcomers include defenseman, Nolan Nicholas, forward, Aaron Miller, and goaltender, Ales Stezka.

Nicholas is from Thunder Bay, Ontario and spent last season skating with the Estevan Bruins where he served as team captain. He is expected to help strengthen the blue line which returns just Chaz Switzer from a year ago. At 5-foot-11 and 200-pounds, Nicholas has good size and skills.

Miller was selected by the Stampede in the USHL draft last may and spent last season with the Minnesota Wilderness of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) where he helped lead the team to a Robertson Cup title. The Superior, Wisconsin native tallied 61 points (21g, 40a) in 59 regular season games and plus-23 plus/minus rating. He has already committed to Bemidji State University.

Stezka comes to Sioux Falls from Liberec, Czech Repbulic after spending last year playing for Bili Tygri Lieberec U20 in the Czech Republic. He recorded 21 wins and a .948 save percentage and was ranked the fourth beset European goaltender by NHL Central Scouting. He made headlines this past summer when he was selected by Minnesota Wild in the fourth round of the NHL Draft.

The Stampede will hold a season kickoff party tonight (Friday) at Sioux Falls Stadium. Season ticket holders can enter the West gate off Madison & Western starting at 6 PM and pick up their season tickets, enjoy free food and all kinds of different activities out on the ball field. The general public will be welcomed at 7 PM and everyone can enjoy a free fireworks show at 8:15 PM. Click here for all the details.

The Stampede open regular season play tomorrow (Saturday) night at 7:05 PM against the Sioux City Musketeers. A tailgate party will take place from 4-6 PM at Sioux Falls Stadium and the first 5,000 fans through the doors at the PREMIER Center will receive a free mini replica championship banner. The Stampede will raise their 2014-15 Clark Cup championship banner prior to the start of the game. Tickets are available through the PREMIER Center Box Office or any Ticketmaster outlet.

Check out the Sioux Falls Stampede Statistics



United States Hockey League Stories from September 25, 2015


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