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USHL Chicago Steel

Steel Begin 2021-2022 Regular Season this Weekend

September 22, 2021 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release


GENEVA, ILLINOIS - The Chicago Steel begin their defense of the 2020-2021 Clark Cup Championship this weekend with a pair of contests in Cranberry Township, Penn., at the DICK'S Sporting Goods USHL Fall Classic.

The Steel and Fargo Force are set to clash on Saturday, September 25 with a 4:30 pm CT puck drop as both teams begin their 2021-2022 regular season schedules. Chicago and Fargo were the last teams standing in the 2021 Clark Cup Playoffs as the Steel defeated the Force 3-1 in the best-of-five Clark Cup Final, capturing the franchise's second league title.

Fargo returns three key contributors from last season's Western Conference Championship club. Forwards Tyler Rollwagen and Kyle Smolen along with defenseman Trevor Griebel lead the Force into the 2021-2022 regular season after a deep postseason run a year ago.

Sunday's matchup against the Sioux Falls Stampede, set for 4:00 pm CT, is a rematch of the 2019 Clark Cup Final in which the Stampede prevailed with a 3-0 series win over the Steel.

Sioux Falls forwards Garrett Pinoniemi and Daniel Russell take over veteran leadership for the Stampede, both with over 80 USHL games played in their careers. Brandon Chabrier brings the most experience to the Sioux Falls blueline, tallying 15 points (3G, 12A) over 81 career contests.

Chicago is looking to replace production from the top four point-getters in the league last season and the club's top six scorers overall.

Sean Farrell (Harvard University), Matt Coronato (Harvard University), Josh Doan (Arizona State University), Erik Middendorf (Michigan State University), Ryan Ufko (UMass Amherst) and Mackie Samoskevich (University of Michigan) departed for college hockey after leading the Steel to last year's title.

The Steel return three NHL draft picks this season, key members of the club who figure to step into the top point-producing roles on the team.

Forward Joe Miller was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Sixth Round (#180 overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft and posted 18 points (8G, 10) in 40 games a season ago.

Jackson Blake, a Fourth Round pick (#109 overall) of the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2021 NHL Draft, scored the game-winning goal in Game 4 of the Clark Cup Final against Fargo a season ago after a 17-point (7G, 10A) regular season.

Forward Sam Lipkin notched a goal and a helper during the Clark Cup run while playing in all eight postseason contests. The Quinnipiac University-bound skater was chosen in the Seventh Round (#223 Overall) by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2021 NHL Draft.

Returning to Chicago for his second season in the USHL is forward Adam Fantilli, a University of Michigan commit who was awarded the 2021 Clark Cup Playoffs MVP after posting nine points (8G, 1A) in eight postseason contests. The Nobleton, Ontario native registered 36 points (18G, 18A) in 49 regular season games, the most of any returning Chicago skater.

On defense, the Steel return key contributors Luca Fantilli, Jake Livanavage, Lukas Gustafsson and Anthony Dowd from the championship-winning club.

Netminder Nick Haas and Gibson Homer provide USHL experience between the Steel pipes, both with double-digit win totals last season, Haas with the Steel and Homer with Team USA U18.

The Steel re-load with key additions at the forward position. Jayden Perron, a University of North Dakota commit, joins the club for his rookie season in the USHL along with University of Minnesota-Duluth-bound skater Zam Plante. Forward Nick Moldenhauer re-joins the roster after picking up a pair of helpers in six games played last season.

On the back-end, Chicago bolstered its core with the offseason addition of Austen May, a right-shot blueliner who has 68 USHL games on his resume.

The Steel open the home portion of the schedule on Saturday, October 2 against the Muskegon Lumberjacks on Opening Night presented by McCue Chevy. The home opener will feature a championship celebration and the unveiling of the 2021 Clark Cup Championship banner. After the game, fans can hit the ice for a post-game skate. Tickets are on sale now for all Steel home games in person at the Steel Box Office at Fox Valley Ice Arena, by phone at 855-51-STEEL and online at ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

Chicago Steel games may be heard on Mixlr at http://mixlr.com/chicago-steel/ (AUDIO) and video may be streamed on available devices through HockeyTV at www.hockeytv.com.

Chicago Steel Upcoming Home Games presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:

Saturday, October 2 vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks (7:05 pm CT) Opening Night with Championship Celebration presented by McCue Chevy with Post-Game Skate

Friday, October 8 vs. Team USA U17 (7:05 pm CT) Pokémon Night

Saturday, October 9 vs. Team USA U17 (7:05 pm CT) GIVEAWAY - 2021-2022 Magnet Schedule

For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

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