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.