The Chicago Steel were predicted by the media to finish near the bottom of the standings in the USHL preseason poll. With yesterday’s victory over the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, Chicago leads the Eastern Conference series 2–1 with game four being played tonight in Iowa. A victory tonight will advance them into the Conference finals. With that being said, it is not surprising Chicago is loaded with post-season awards.
Nick Abruzzese earned an All-USHL First Team spot after leading the league in scoring with 80 points (29 goals, 51 assists) in only 62 games. The Harvard University commit’s 80 points was the second-highest point total in franchise history. Abruzzese broke the franchise record for assists in a season with his 51 and became just the third Steel player to reach 100 points during his career with the franchise.
Team captain Matteo Pietroniro broke the franchise’s single-season goal mark for a defenseman with his 18 goals this season in earning All-USHL Second Team honors. The Boise, Idaho, native finished tied for seventh among USHL defenseman in goals. Pietroniro now holds the Steel record for defenseman in a career with 27 goals. With 70 assists total with the Steel, he also ranks second all-time in franchise history.
Forward Robert Mastrosimone scored 31 goals this season to bring his career total to a franchise record 47 goals, earning him All-USHL Third Team honors. Mastrosimone also recorded his 100th career point this season to join Abruzzese. The Boston University commit also finished his career with 58 assists placing him seventh all-time in Chicago franchise history.
Rookie defenseman Owen Power was named to the USHL All-Rookie Second Team after a record season for the youngster. The 16-year-old scored 11 goals this season, although starting the season at only 15 years of age, and registered 25 points for the season. Power was fourth in the league this season among all defensemen with his 11 goals.
General Manager Ryan Hardy was named the 2018–19 USHL General Manager of the Year in his rookie season in the role after spending the previous two season scouting for the Boston Bruins.
“Our goals in Chicago are, first and foremost, to facilitate the development of talented hockey players and, secondly, to compete for the Clark Cup,” Hardy said. “Garnering personal accolades is not relevant in our program. While I am appreciative of the recognition from my peers, this honor does not reflect the work of one individual, but rather the talent, hard work and passion of the coaching staff, hockey operations department and, most importantly, every one of the players who have donned the Chicago Steel crest this season.”
Hardy joins an excellent group of rookie general managers to have won the award. Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper won the award in 2008–09 with the Green Bay Gamblers. Dallas Stars head coach Jim Montgomery also won the award with the Dubuque Fighting Saint in 2010–11.
Hardy is quick to deflect the attention to rookie head coach Greg Moore, associate head coach Brock Sheahan, Director of Player Personnel Tristan Musser, Director of Hockey Operations Chris Hoeler, assistant coach Mike Garman, strength and conditioning coach Virgil Strzelecki, Athletic Trainer Jim Schroader and Equipment Manager Parker Hoffman.
“If there is one aspect of this season that I take the most personal pride in, it would be the identification and procurement of our coaching staff, who are more responsible for this honor than I am,” Hardy said.