Chicago Steel By The Numbers

By JASON LOWENTHAL

Photo Credit: MJB Images

With the 2014-15 season rapidly approaching, we take a look back behind the numbers at last season’s Chicago Steel. The Steel will kick off the season Sept. 27 on the road against Green Bay.

778: Total games of USHL experience for players on 30-man roster

The Steel return a highly experienced group of players this season after being one of the league’s youngest teams a year ago. In total, players on the 30-man roster have played a combined 778 games in the USHL, for an average of nearly 26 games each.

28: Robby Jackson’s record

Last season, Robby Jackson broke the record for goals as a 16-year-old as he found the back of the net 28 times. His impressive total constituted Jackson being awarded USHL Rookie of the Year honors.

16: Goal differential rank

Chicago tallied 179 goals last season while allowing 195 goals. That goal differential of minus-16 ranked 10^th in the USHL last year.

11: Number of OT/SO games last season

The Steel went to extra time in 11 games last season, coming out on top in seven of those contests. Chicago hopes to continue that success in tight games this year.

10: Losing streak to start last season

Last year, the Steel got off to a rough start, suffering ten consecutive regulation losses to kick off the season. The slow start likely prevented Chicago from making the playoffs.

4: Points away from making the postseason last season

Despite a slow start, the Steel finished strong and finished just four points outside the playoffs last season. A mid-season surge that saw the Steel win seven of nine games propelled the team back into the playoff hunt.