Friday, April 22, 2011

2010-11 USHL All-Rookie Team

Press Release

The United States Hockey League today announced the 2010-11 USHL All-Rookie Team as determined by a vote of League coaches and general managers.

The USHL All-Rookie Team recognizes first-year USHL players that were not classified as Junior "A" veterans upon playing in the League this season. The honorees include; Dubuque Fighting Saints goaltender Matt Morris, defensemen Jordan Schmaltz of the Sioux City Musketeers and Ben Marshall of the Omaha Lancers, along with forwards John Gaudreau of the Dubuque Fighting Saints, Jimmy Mullin of the Fargo Force, and Daniil Tarasov of the Indiana Ice.

"These young men may be called 'rookies,' but they're USHL veterans now," said USHL Commissioner Skip Prince, "and their poise and talents absolutely stood out in a year where the overall quality of play and player in the USHL was never better. It's not a coincidence that every team this group played for made the Clark Cup Playoffs. Congratulations from all of us on an award hard-earned and well-deserved."

All six of the players were also named to the midseason CCM All-Star Teams.

Matt Morris (G), Dubuque Fighting Saints

The 17-year-old native of Ridgewood, New Jersey posted a 23-8-4 record in helping the Saints finish first in the Western Conference. His 23 victories tied for the fourth highest total in the USHL and he was second among League goaltenders with a 2.17 goals-against-average. Morris posted a .921 save percentage and earned four shutouts. Over his first 10 games in the USHL, he compiled an 8-0-1 record which included three shutouts. He is committed to play collegiately at the University of Maine following his USHL career.

Jordan Schmaltz (D), Sioux City Musketeers

The defenseman from Verona, Wisconsin led all USHL defensemen in scoring with 44 points (13g, 31a) in 53 regular season games. Five times this season the 17-year-old was named CCM Defensive Player of the Week. Schmaltz finished the regular season riding a 10-game point streak (6g, 14a), helping the Musketeers to a 9-1-0 record over that stretch and earning a playoff berth for the first time since 2008. It is the fifth time in the last six seasons that a member of the Musketeers has been named to the USHL All-Rookie Team. Schmaltz is committed to the University of North Dakota following his USHL career.

Ben Marshall (D), Omaha Lancers

The 18-year-old was sixth among USHL defensemen in scoring with 33 points (11g, 22a) in 56 games. Five of his goals were game-winners which were the most among USHL defensemen and tied for sixth overall in the League. Marshall finished the regular season tied for 10th in the USHL with a plus-20 rating and was second among defensemen with 142 shots on goal. The native of Stillwater, Minnesota is committed to play collegiate hockey at the University of Minnesota. He is also a 2010 NHL Entry Draft selection of the Detroit Red Wings (201st overall).

John Gaudreau (F), Dubuque Fighting Saints

The rookie forward played all 60 regular season games and scored 36 goals, the second highest total in the USHL. He was fourth overall in League scoring with 72 points (36g, 36a) and had the third most game-winning goals (7). The 17-year-old from Carneys Point, New Jersey led the USHL with 15 power play goals and had the best shooting percentage in the League (.234). Twice during the regular season, Gaudreau compiled five-game goal scoring streaks. He is committed to play college hockey at Northeastern University following his USHL career.

Jimmy Mullin (F), Fargo Force

The 19-year-old led the Force in scoring and was seventh in the USHL with 60 points (23g, 37a) in 52 regular season games. He was fourth overall in the League with a plus-29 rating. Mullin equaled a team record for points in a game when he collected five (1g, 4a) in the 6-2 win vs. Sioux City on December 3rd, 2010. On three occasions this season, he earned honors as the CCM Offensive Player of the Week. The Cincinnati, Ohio native is committed to continue his hockey career at Miami University. Mullin was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the fourth round (118th overall) in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Daniil Tarasov (F), Indiana Ice

The Moscow, Russia native led the entire USHL with 37 goals and was second overall in scoring with 75 points (37g, 38a) in 57 games. His plus-34 rating was also the second highest mark in the League. The 19-year-old was third in the League in shots on goals (217) and tied for the USHL lead scoring eight game-winning goals. Tarasov recorded seven multi-goal games this season, including a hat trick on January 22nd vs. Chicago. The forward finished the regular season riding an eight-game point streak in which he collected 13 points (8g, 5a).

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

No comments: