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Thunder Swap Siroky for Merl & More

February 25, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release


Bloomington, IL - Nearing the end of the 2014-15 regular season, the Bloomington Thunder have executed a trade with the Muskegon Lumberjacks that brings forward Steven Merl to Illinois. The trade also sends Captain Ryan Siroky (Miami University) to the 'Jacks giving the Thunder a third round pick in the 2015 USHL Draft and a player to be named later.

"We are excited to have Steven join us. We got to see him play against us a number of times this season and he brings something we lack right now in size and strength," said Thunder Head Coach and General Manager Dennis Williams. "He gets a fresh start here and is good friends with some of the guys on the team so I think the transition is going to be easy for him."

The United States Hockey League trade deadline ends on March 2nd and is new to the 2015 season. USHL teams may trade players, affiliate rights, and draft picks until this date. Not to be confused with the USA Hockey Trade & Drop deadline, which regulates trades between junior leagues and adding affiliate players to active rosters.

Merl is in his first season in the USHL playing 33 games with the Muskegon Lumberjacks. The Coral Springs, FL native has seven points (3g, 4a) and a +2 rating this year. After being selected by the Madison Capitols in the third round of the 2014 USHL Phase II Draft, he was then exchanged for now Capitols forward Haralds Egle during the preseason. The 19-year old played midget hockey under the Belle Tire program in the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League and was teammates with Thunder forward Jake Slaker in 2013-14. With the U-18 Midget Major team, he scored 23 points (6g, 17a), his career high. Before joining Belle Tire, the 6-foot-3 forward played for the Cleveland Barons organization, scoring another career high of 11 goals.

Williams continued saying, "(Merl) brings us the piece that we gave up for him, a big power forward in Ryan Siroky, and we got that back in a younger player by acquiring Steven. We are definitely excited to get him here to Bloomington and work with him this year and also on to next year."

Siroky, 20-years old, finishes his time in Bloomington scoring career highs with 26 points, 16 assists, three power play assists, and a +7 rating in 44 games. After playing just one preseason game with the Des Moines Buccaneers, the Thunder acquired Siroky along with Ryan Galt (University of Nebraska-Omaha) just one week prior to the team's home opener. The Manhattan Beach, CA native signed his letter of intent to Miami University earlier this season may suit up for the RedHawks in 2015-16. The 6-foot-0 forward is in his third USHL season after two years with the Green Bay Gamblers. In his USHL career, Siroky has totaled 162 games played, 62 points (35g, 27a), with 15 points on special teams.

Siroky's leadership was noted throughout his career as an Assistant Captain of the Green Bay Gamblers in 2013-14, and being named the first Captain for the Thunder in their 2014-15 inaugural season.

Next Home Game: Chicago Blackhawks day is Sunday, March 1st with Bobby Hull and the 'Hawks Ice Crew. Bloomington welcomes the 'Golden Jet' to meet the fans of Bloomington at the 3:00 pm CST game. Wear Blackhawks gear to the game and get $3 off regularly priced tickets or call the Thunder office for $10 tickets. It is also an Event Central Family Day so kids get free concessions until the end of the first period. Call (309) 434-2980 to get tickets to this once and a lifetime experience.



United States Hockey League Stories from February 25, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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