Fun Facts: 2014 NHL Entry Draft

By JASON LOWENTHAL

This past weekend saw 210 players selected to the National Hockey League, including a record number of USHL products. 35 players who played in the United States Hockey League during the 2013-14 season were selected, along with 16 USHL alumni. Here are some more fun facts from the draft.

The USHL saw four of its players taken in the first round. The Ontario Hockey League led the category with ten, while the Western Hockey League trailed right behind with nine.

Sixty-five American-born players were selected in the draft, including Chicago Steel defenseman Matt Berkovitz by the Anaheim Ducks in round five, 123^rd overall. This was the second-most of any country. Canada topped the list with 79 players.

Twenty-eight Swedish-born players were selected in the draft, including Chicago Steel winger Freddy Olofsson by the Chicago Blackhawks in round four, 98^th overall. This was the third-most of any country.

Nathan Walker, who played for the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms during the 2012-13 season, became the first-ever Australian player to be selected in the NHL Draft. The Washington Capitals, who had traded up to make the pick, took him in the third round, 89th overall. The 20-year-old spent five years playing in Czech leagues before spending part of the 2012-13 season with Youngstown. In 29 games, he tallied seven goals and 27 points along with 63 penalty minutes.

The Chicago Blackhawks had nine selections in the draft and used their first five picks to take players with ties to the USHL. Nick Schmaltz (Green Bay Gamblers) was taken in the first round, followed by Matt Iacopelli (Muskegon Lumberjacks) in the second round and Beau Starrett (Dubuque Fighting Saints) in the third round. The Chicago Steel’s own Freddy Olofsson heard his name called in the fourth round, followed by Luc Snuggerud (Muskegon Lumberjacks, Omaha Lancers) in round five.

Kyle Schempp (Sioux Falls Stampede) was the fourth-oldest player selected in the draft while Zach Nagelvoort (Green Bay Gamblers) was the fifth-oldest. Schempp was born Jan. 13, 1994 and Nagelvoort on Jan. 30, 1994.

Joseph Wegwerth (USNTDP) was the fourth-heaviest player selected in the draft at 229 pounds, while Maxim Letunov (Youngstown Phantoms) was the lightest at 157 pounds.

Chicago Steel All-Access with Jake Bunz

By JASON LOWENTHAL

Steel defenseman Jake Bunz is not sure yet of his hockey career after the United States Hockey League. The blue liner has college hockey in his blood, but has not committed to playing anywhere, with another year of development with the Steel ahead of him. His father Garry was a three-year defenseman for the University of Wisconsin in the mid-‘80s. Jake was also born in Madison, Wis., and has been around the Badgers his entire life, but claims that he has yet to be in much contact with the six-time NCAA champions.

“I’m just trying to open up my options and see how it plays out,” said Bunz.

Until then, Bunz will enter his second season with the Steel after being drafted in the ninth round, no. 126 overall in the 2013 USHL Entry Draft.

“There were a lot less nerves this time around, but you still have to work for your spot on the team,” said Bunz after tryout camp.

Last season, Bunz appeared in 41 games for the Steel, tallying three goals and seven points. However, his production peaked at the end of the season. After picking up just three points and a minus-seven rating in his first 29 games, he was a plus-two in the final twelve games. Bunz notched three goals and one assist in that span, including a game-winning goal against Omaha in early March. He hopes to carry that late season momentum into this year.

“I can only try to improve this summer and keep my confidence going,” said Bunz.

Hockey is not the only focus for Bunz this summer. His family takes an annual summer trip to Haiti, led by his mom, the leader of a youth ministry.

Jake Bunz in Haiti in 2013

“She takes a group of confirmation students and we go to an orphanage up in the mountains,” said Bunz. “This year we’re building a church and a school. It really kind of opens up your eyes to see what a different nation is like. It’s by far my favorite trip of the year.”

However, Bunz is eager to get back on the ice this upcoming season and is optimistic about the direction of the team.

“I’m really excited for this season,” said Bunz. “We’ve got a great core coming back and a bunch of skilled new guys coming in.”

Bunz also credited his high school hockey days for preparing him for the leap to the USHL. He is a product of Middleton High School and earned first-team all-state honors. Bunz also played for Team Wisconsin Under-18 in 2012-13 after leading his Middleton Cardinals in scoring as a defenseman.

Get To Know Writing Intern Jason Lowenthal

Jason Lowenthal is a summer writing intern with the Steel who will be attending the honors college at the University of Missouri as a journalism major starting this fall. He is a recent graduate of Highland Park High School in Illinois and had the honor of attending the Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute last summer.

Jason’s prior experience includes writing for Inside Hockey Magazine, where he was a beat reporter for the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League. While with Inside Hockey Magazine, Jason also had the privilege of covering the 2014 Coors Light Stadium Series game between the Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins. In addition, he covered high school athletics for CSLinsider.com.

Next year at Missouri, he will be blogging about the football team for The Maneater, a student newspaper.

Chicago Steel All-Access with Zach Osburn

By JASON LOWENTHAL

To say the least, it has been a hectic past month for Zachary Osburn.  A product of the Victory Honda organization in Tier I Elite Hockey League, Osburn was selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2013 USHL Futures Draft by the Indiana Ice. Although Osburn only played in four games, tallying one assist and finishing with a plus-four rating, Indiana went on to capture the Clark Cup for the second time in team history. Celebrations aside, it was not all good news for the USHL champions, as it was announced in early May that the team would be going dormant for the 2014-15 season.

Osburn, along with his fellow teammates, entered the dispersal draft. At sixth overall, the Steel picked up the ’97 birth year blue liner. Chicago also drafted forward Nick Kunin and the rights of right wing Tyler Andrew at 22^nd and 38^th overall, respectively.

“Not knowing where I was going to be this year was little scary,” said Osburn. “When Chicago picked me up it was a big stress reliever.”

Despite getting on the ice in just four games for Indiana last season, Osburn still put up impressive numbers for Victory Honda’s Under-18 team, notching 15 goals and 26 points over 34 games. He also earned a roster spot on Team USA Under-17 in the Five Nations Tournament held in Trnava, Slovakia.

“It was a lot of fun,” said Osburn. “I’ve never played internationally before and winning that tournament was a huge accomplishment not only for me but as USA Hockey and for the team that went with us.”

Born in Plymouth, Mich., Osburn plans to stay at home to play his college hockey. He has committed to Michigan State University, where he will bring an impressive left-handed shot.

“I liked Michigan State a lot,” said Osburn. “It’s close to home and I just think it’s a very good fit for me, knowing coach Tom (Anastos) and what he’s about. My plans are to keep growing and developing as a hockey player and after that, hopefully I’m still playing.”

USHL PRESENCE FELT IN CUP FINAL

By JASON LOWENTHAL

As the words “Kings goal scored by No. 27… Alec Martinez,” rang throughout Staples Center after Los Angeles clinched its second Stanley Cup in franchise history, Martinez likely could not have helped but think back to his early junior playing days. Martinez, a former defenseman of the USHL’s Cedar Rapids Roughriders, played one season in the USHL before spurning to Miami University (Ohio) to jump-start his ride to the pros. Then a 17-year-old, Martinez tallied ten goals and 21 points for the Roughriders over 58 games played. That was then. Now, he is a two-time Stanley Cup Champion.

On the losing side was New York Rangers’ defenseman John Moore, who began his run through juniors as a member of the Chicago Steel. Moore spent two seasons with Chicago, totaling 18 goals and 54 points. He was named Defenseman of the Year in the USHL after the 2008-09 campaign. Following his run with the Steel, Moore was selected as the first-round draft pick, 21^st overall, of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. In this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs, Moore proved to be a crucial entity on the Rangers blue line. The 23-year-old native of Winnetka, IL appeared in 21 of 25 playoff games for New York and recorded two assists while picking up 16 penalty minutes.

Other USHL alumni who contributed during the Stanley Cup Final include the Kings’ Trevor Lewis (Des Moines Buccaneers) and Matt Greene (U.S. National Developmental Program, Green Bay Gamblers) as well as J.T. Miller (U.S. National Developmental Program) of the Rangers. Lewis played in all 26 playoff games for Los Angeles and Green was another important blue line member while Miller picked up two assists during limited action throughout New York’s playoff run.

Stanley Cup Pre(ish)view

Last night was Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals and even though our beloved Blackhawks aren't in it, we are still looking forward to this New York vs Los Angeles series. The LA Kings took the first game 3-2 in overtime. New York took an early two goal lead, but it wasn't enough to hold off the Kings.

Game 2 marks the return of Steel alum John Moore; who was suspended two games for his hit on Montreal's forward Dale Weise. Here at the office we will be cheering on our alum to win Lord Stanley's Cup, but take a look at who the players have in this series...

Michael Booth - NY Rangers 

Connor McDonald - NY Rangers

Peter Tischke - LA Kings

Connor Yau - LA Kings

Brendon Kearney - NY Rangers

Nate Kwiecinski - NY Rangers

Cale Morris - LA Kings

Zach LaValle - NY Rangers

John Ernsting - LA Kings

John Schilling - LA Kings

Brady Jones - NY Rangers

Robby Jackson - LA Kings

Jake Bunz - NY Rangers

Freddy Olofsson - NY Rangers

Game 2 is Saturday in LA. Best of luck to Moore and both teams.

Starting the summer off right

Hey Steel Fans! Thank you to everyone who came out on Saturday to visit us at the 1st Annual ABC Spring Picnic. Hope you had as much fun as we did.

In case you missed it, the festival was held at Kennedy School on 3945 N. Wehrman Ave. in Schiller Park. Steel fans were greeted by Steel defensemen Liam McGing and Connor Yau as they signed autographs, took pictures, and handed out stickers.

"I love going out to events like this where we get to go out and interact with our fans," Liam McGing said. "Their love for the game makes playing for the Steel that much more enjoyable."

When Connor Yau was asked what he enjoyed about the event he stated, "My favorite part was playing street hockey with some of the younger fans that were there and give them hockey advice. Hopefully one day they will get a chance to play for the Steel as well."

Thank you again to Kennedy School and Kara Blomquist for hosting the event.

Be on the lookout for more appearances by the Chicago Steel and everyone's favorite mascot Rusty.