Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Schwartz Named USHL Forward of the Year

Press Release

The United States Hockey League today announced that Jaden Schwartz of the Tri-City Storm has been named CCM USHL Forward of the Year as determined by a vote of League coaches.

"Jaden is a tremendous player with the ability not only to elevate his game when needed, but he also made the players around him better," said Tri-City Storm Head Coach and General Manager Drew Schoneck. "To accomplish what he did this season, and to do it as a 17-year-old, speaks volumes to what type of player and young man he is. He is a big reason that we had the success that we did as a team."

Schwartz won the USHL scoring title with 83 points (33g, 50a) while appearing in all 60 regular season games for the Storm. It is the most points scored in the League since Thomas Vanek, now a forward with the NHL's Buffalo Sabres, recorded 91 points (46g, 45a) for the Sioux Falls Stampede during the 2001-02 season.

Schwartz is also the youngest player to lead the USHL in scoring since the 1982-83 season, when Steve MacSwain of the Dubuque Fighting Saints won the League scoring title as a 17-year-old. The Tri-City forward ranked third in the USHL this season with 50 assists, and his 33 goals were the fifth most in the League. He was tops in the USHL with 16 power play goals, and second overall in shots on goal (242). An alternate captain for the Storm, he compiled a 13-game point streak from December 4th to January 10th which included a season high five-point game (2g, 3a) in the 7-2 win over Waterloo on December 18th.

"It was exciting to watch this budding young star develop in this, his first USHL season," said USHL Commissioner Skip Prince. "All eyes are drawn to him when he's on the ice, and his strong play throughout the year had a lot to do with the resurgence of the Tri-City Storm in the West Division. Congratulations are in order for a great player whose best is yet to come."

Schwartz, a native of Wilcox, Saskatchewan helped lead the Storm to their first playoff berth since the spring of 2007, and scored three goals in three games during the Storm's first-round series with the Omaha Lancers. He was also selected to participate in the 2010 USHL All-Star Game and dished out one assist in the contest.

Schwartz is currently listed #28 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in their final rankings in advance of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He is committed to attend Colorado College this fall and will play alongside his brother, Rylan, who recently completed his freshman season at the school.


(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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