USA Hockey Honors USHL Players, Coach, Alumni

Press Release

USA Hockey announced its award recipients for the 2010-11 season and among the winners are four with USHL connections. Indiana Ice forward Blake Coleman has been selected as the Dave Tyler Junior Player of the Year, Team USA goaltender John Gibson has been named the Dave Peterson Goalie of the Year, former USHL player Andy Miele has been named the College Player of the Year, and Team USA coach Ron Rolston has been honored with the Bob Johnson Award.

"We're honored and privileged that the USHL has been a part of the hockey experience for these three players – and for Coach Ron Rolston, who's taken the NTDP program to new heights," said USHL Commissioner Skip Prince. "As the USHL Player of the Year, Blake Coleman has already won the most prestigious player award we give. Watching John Gibson backstop the NTDP's U-18 squad this year was the opportunity to see a young player fulfill his promise – and obviously the NHL has taken notice. There's not a Cedar Rapids RoughRiders or Chicago Steel fan who doesn't recall Andy Miele's talent and intensity, and he's only gotten better since he donned a RedHawks sweater. And you just can't say enough about Coach Rolston – he's brought not only his outstanding coaching talent, but a great sense of duty and integrity to Ann Arbor and the NTDP. Congratulations from all of us here."

Coleman was named both the 2010-11 USHL Player of the Year and Forward of the Year after leading the League in scoring with 92 points (34g, 58a). It was the most points scored in a USHL season in over a decade and the first time a player had surpassed 90 points since Thomas Vanek (46g, 45a) did so for the Sioux Falls Stampede during the 2001-02 season. Coleman had 17 more points than the next highest scorer and his 58 assists were the most in the USHL since the 2007-08 season. It was the second USHL campaign for the native of Plano, Texas and a breakout season offensively after he tallied 28 points (10g, 18a) in 2009-10. Coleman also led the League with a plus-52 rating, the highest mark on record since the USHL became Tier I in 2002. He was listed on the NHL Central Scouting final rankings and is set to begin his collegiate career at Miami University next season. It is the 15th consecutive season that a USHL player has been named USA Hockey's Dave Tyler Junior Player of the Year.

Gibson posted a 9-4-3 record, a 2.38 goals-against-average, and .926 save percentage in 17 appearances in the USHL this season. He made 31 saves on January 14th vs. Green Bay to earn his first USHL shutout. The 17-year-old went on to win his next six games in the USHL to help Team USA earn a spot in the Clark Cup Playoffs. It was his second season in the League after posting a 7-9-0 record for Team USA's Under-17 squad in 2009-10. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native had a big year on the international stage as he helped the U.S. win gold at the IIHF World Men's U18 Championship and was named the tournament's top goaltender. Gibson has been tabbed by NHL Central Scouting as the top North American goaltending prospect in advance of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Miele led the NCAA in scoring when he recorded 71 points (24g, 47a) in 39 games for the Miami University RedHawks. He was named the CCHA Player of the Year as he led Miami to its first-ever conference championship. The Grosse Point Woods, Michigan native scored 56 points (16g, 40a) in 28 games during league play, the most points scored in a CCHA season in 19 years. Miele also earned college hockey's highest individual honor when he was named the 2011 recipient of the Hobey Baker Award, becoming the fourth former USHL player to receive the award. Following his collegiate career, he signed a NHL entry-level contract with the Phoenix Coyotes. Miele spent parts of three seasons in the USHL, collecting 125 points (60g, 65a) in 139 career games. He USHL career began with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and scored a goal in his first game in the League. Miele netted 30 goals in 29 games for the Chicago Steel in 2007-08 before moving on to begin his collegiate career.

Rolston was the head coach of Team USA's Under-18 squad and led them to a 12-8-4 record during USHL play to help Team USA earn their first-ever berth in the USHL Clark Cup Playoffs. He is the longest-tenured coach for the National Team Development Program after completing his seventh season. Rolston guided the U.S. team to their third consecutive gold medal at the 2011 IIHF World Men's U18 Championship. He was also the coach of the Under-18 team when they won gold in 2005 and 2009. It was the second USHL season for Rolston after leading Team USA's Under-17 team during the 2009-10 season.

Coleman, Gibson, and Miele will be honored at "A Night of Tribute" awards dinner on June 8th at the USA Hockey Annual Congress while Rolston will be honored at the President's Awards Dinner on June 10th.

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