This is the start of the sixth decade (2020-21 / 2029-30) of Musketeer History in Pictures
If you have any picture(s) you’d like to see as part of this Musketeer History Project please send them to the
site administrator (kaptkanuk@aol.com). We will gladly research & date them and gleefully find the proper place for
your photos; making them a permanent part of Sioux City Musketeer History.
We are always seeking additional Musketeer photographs you may want to share. Any season, any player, any game;
we will find a place for your photos in this history project. You can e-mail any of your photos to the site administrator or
arrangements can be made for a convenient pick-up, safe handling and a quick return of your photo memories.
**********************************This Site is Under Construction**********************************
We are in the process of rebuilding and reformatting all of the BatchellerPad, USHLstuff and
MusketeersStuff web pages. There are still some missing pictures, poor spacing, boarder issues and questionable spelling
but I am busily chipping away at these issues.
The Musketeers start their sixth decade as Members of the United States Hockey League.
Two Franchises are absent this season; because of extensive storm damage to the Cedar Rapids rink and Wisconsin State
Covid-19 restrictions, both the RoughRiders and the Capitols suspend operations this season.
League consists of fourteen member teams playing 54 regular season games. This season’s Dick’s Sporting Goods Fall Classic
is canceled because of covid restrictions.
Eastern Conference: Chicago Steel, Green Bay Gamblers, Muskegon Lumberjacks, Team USA, Youngstown Phantoms,
Waterloo Black Hawks
Western Conference: Des Moines Buccaneers, Dubuque Fighting Saints, Fargo Force, Lincoln Stars, Omaha Lancers,
Sioux Falls Stampede, Tri-City Storm, Sioux City Musketeers
This season offers up many scheduling and protocol challenges due to the recent covid pandemic. Many of the teams face postponed
and canceled games. The east and west try to limit play mainly divisional play in order to minimize player & staff travel and contact.
The Tyson Event Center, along with most other arenas face social distancing & mask compliance issue during much of the season.
The Musketeers hover around the fifth & sixth slot of the west division for most of the season and by mid-march the Musketeers look
to be a non-contender in this season’s Clark Cup play-offs. However an incredible end-of-the-season 15-3 run, launches the team
in to a tie for second place.
Travis Morgan joins the Musketeers as the new Vice President of Game Operations and Promotions. He is sepected to bring in a new
era of team, staff and fan interaction and excitement while growing the Musketeer brand in and around Sioux City and the USHL itself.
The Musketeers start the off season with the traditional try-out camps. An invitational goalie, Futures and 40-man camps are held
July18th-23rd at the IBP Ice center
Musketeer Front Office Staff
Lloyd Ney Rich Zaber Travis Morgan Tanner Hoops
Long-time owner and Executive President Lloyd Ney and Vice President Rich Zaber remain a part of the traditional Musketeer
front office staff. However, Travis Morgan joins the team as the Vice President of Game Operations and Promotions. Tanner
Hoops joins the team covering all the media operations including social media, game night production and all audio & video
production.Because of the uncertainty of how covid will affect the season the Office Manager position remains unfilled.
Musketeers Coaching Staff
Luke Strand Mark Abalan Michael Berra Brady Ferner Jacqui Gutierrez Brian Collier
Head Coach Associate Assistant Assistant Athletic Equipment
Coach Coach Coach Trainer Manager
Luke Strand is back for his fourth season at the helm as Head Coach and General Manager. Long-time Associate Head
Coach and special teams’ expert Mark Abalan returns for another season. Also joining the team is Assistant Coach
Michael Berra. Past Musketeer and local player Brady Ferner joins the coaching staff while his season playing for
the PRI Engineers is delayed because of east coast covid restrictions. Athletic Trainer Jacqui Gutierrez is back for
her second season and new Equipment Manager Brian Collier starts with the Musketeers after several seasons
working for the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL.
Between The Pipes
Seasoned USHL veteran Akira Schmid and rookie Alex Tracy compose this season’s goaltending duo. Together
they compose a 31-21-1 record this season placing them tied for second in the Western Conference. Both backstops
finish the season among the league’s top goaltenders in several veteran and rookie catigories.
Akira Schmid Alex Tracy
Musketeers 2019-21 Musketeers 2020-22
Akira Schmid emergs this season as the leauge’s top goaltender, and is recognized as the USHL Goaltender of the Year.
He is shortly destin for NHL success as one of the very few players making a jump from junior to the pros; playing in six
NHL games next season. Alex Tracy is also on track for his success next season, including his own records, accolades
and a post season championship.
Akira Schmid
Musketeers 2019-21
This seasoned USHL veteran has tons of experience; playing at the international level logging time for his home
country Team Switzerland and playing the last three seasons with Omaha and Sioux City. In the 2018 NHL draft, he is
selected in the fifth round by the New Jersey Devils.
Akira Schmid finishes the season with a 22-13 record, including an end of the season twelve game winning streak that
propels the Musketeers from fifth to second place. He leads all goaltenders with a .921 Save Percentage, shares the League
shut-out record with three shut-outs and surrenders an average of just two goals per game. He is selected the league’s Goalie
of the Week three times in March and another in April. Akira would go on to be the second of only two Musketeers
selected as the USHL Goaltender of the Year.
2021 USHL Goaltender of the Year
Musketeer Akira Schmid is selected as the USHL’s goaltender of the year. The Bern, Switzerland, native appeared
in thirty-six games and finished the season with a 22-13-1 record. Schmid posted the USHL’s best goals against
average (2.01) and save percentage (.921) to go along with a league leading three shut-out victories. He was selected
136th overall by New Jersey in the 2018 NHL Draft, signed an entry level contract with the Devils in late May.
Longest Winning Streak-Goalie
Musketeer’s goaltender Akira Schmid sets a Musketeer record winning twelve consecutive starts helping the Musketeers to a 13-1
winninng streak. He would record a pair of shutouts, five one-goal outings and surrender just sixteen goals during this streak
that would launch the Musketeers into second place.
Alex Tracy
Musketeers 2020-22
Rookie Alex Tracey is assigned the Musketeers back-up duties. Prior to his first USHL season, he arrives with experience
playing for the Johnstown Tomahawks in the NAHL and three seasons paying for the Chicago Young Americans.
The rookie sees time in eighteen USHL contests; winning nine and losing seven. He would record his first USHL shut-out
on December 11th when he stopped all twenty-one attempts by the Des Moines Buccaneers. He posts a .889 save percentage
and his 2.66 goals against average is among the top seven USHL goaltenders. Alex is destin for his own success next
season winning the Clark Cup, play-off MVP award and the USA Hockey Goalie of the Year honors.
High Scorers
Chase Bradley Brian Carrabes Justin Hrychowian Ethan Edwards Shai Buium
Musketeers 20-21 Musketeers 19-21 Musketeers 20-21 Musketeers 20-21 Musketeers 19-21
Chase Bradley and Brian Carrabes lead the way this season with forty points; Chase records a team leading twenty-
two goals and Brian is one goals shy with twenty. Justin Hrychowian finishes third with seventeen red-lighters and
Ethan Edwards grabs seven goals himself with both players’ record twenty-one assists. Shai Buium rounds out the
the scoring with just four goals but a leading the team with twenty-two helpers.
Heavy Hitters
Gabe Blanchard Ethan Edwards Christian Jimenez Chase Bradely Carter Loney
Musketeers 19-21 Musketeers 20-21 Musketeers 2018-21 Musketeers 20-21 Musketeers 20-21
Returning veteran Gabe Blanchard tops the heavy hitter list this season with 113 minutes. Rookie Ethan Edwards clocks
in with ninety-six penalty minutes. Another Musketeer veteran; Christian Jimenez rounds out his three seasons in Sioux
City, adding eighty-nine minutes to his career stats. Seasoned USHL veteran Chase Bradely finishes with eighty-eight
minutes and rookie Carter Loney a distant fifth with fifty-nine minutes in the box.
Chase Bradley
Musketeers 2020-21
After playing two prior seasons for the Omaha Lancers Chase joins the Musketeers for his final season. During the prior
season with the Lancers he recorded a dozen points but also lead the team in Penalty Minutes with 77.
However, his season Chase Bradley would help carry the mail for the Musketeers; scoring a team leading twenty-one goals
and adding another eighteen assists. He would also lead the team with seven game winners as well as seven power play
goals. He is a University of Connecticut commitment and was selected by the Detroit red Wings in the 2020 draft.
Did You Know…Former Musketeer Odeen Tufto (2016-17) is selected as one of the ten finalists for the Hoby Baker
Award (NCAA’s Most Valuable Player) Playing four season for Quinnipiac College he was selected the ECAC Player
of the Year and named to the All-Conference First Team.
Akira Schmid becomes the first Musketeer goaltender making the transition from the USHL to the NHL the following season.
Drafted by the New Jersey Devils in 2018 while playing for the Omaha Lancers, he logs another season in Omaha and then
two more in Sioux City prior to joining the Devils the following season.
Jackson Nieuwendyk
Musketeers 2019-21
Last season, Jackson saw a busy rookie season playing in forty-eight regular season games. He posted his first red-lighter
against the Tri-City Sorm and added six additional assists this first season.
Returning for a second season, Jackson Nieuwendyk would see time in forty-one regular season games; notching a goal
and four assists. He would play the following to season the BCHL for the Penticton Vees before committing to play
collegiate hockey at Canisius College.
Did You Know…Jackson is the son of NHL veteran and Hall of Famer Joe Nieuwendyk. He would play twenty NHL
seasons winning three Stanley Cup Championships with the Calgary Flames, Dallas Stars and New Jersey Devils. Along
the way he would win the Lady Byng Thophy, the Calder Cup and a Conn Smythe Trophy along with an Olympic
Gold Medal. In addition to his player career, Joe spent a dozen seasons on NHL coaching staffs in Florida,
Dallas and Carolina.
Mason Langenbrunner Griffin Ludtke
Musketeers 2020-21 Musketeers 2020-22
Youngster Mason Langenbrunner is a defenseman from Dallas who made a name for himself playing in Minnesota.
He joins the Musketeers to test the USHL waters, playing in four games this season. Drafted by the Boston Bruins
in the 2020 draft, he is a Minnesota High School stand-out player who is committed to play at Harvard University.
Did You Know…Mason is the son of NHL veteran Jamie Langenbrunner. He would play twenty-one NHL seasons
winning a pair of Stanley Cup Championships in 1999 with the Dallas Stars and in 2003 with the New Jersey Devils. In
2003 he would lead the NHL in play-off goals with eleven and play-off points with eighteen.
Griffin Ludtke joins the team with some past USHL experience having suited-up for two Musketeer games the previous
season. He would also finish his high school season as a Lakeville South top five scorer and top scoring defenceman.
This season he would see time in firty-three tilts; recording his first USHL red-lighter in a February 26th win over the
Lincoln Stars and adding an additional eleven regular season assists.
Joel Matta
Musketeers 2018-22
Joel Maatta the most recent player in the Musketeers Finnish pipeline. A seasoned veteran of the country’s Jokerit
organization. Last season the rookie finished among the Musketeers’ top six scorers with eleven goals and fourteen assists.
He returns for his second season with lots of veteran experience and is expected to place among the team top scorers. Joel
played in fifty-two games this season recording nine goals; including three game winners and a power play tally. His twenty
pointsput him among the top eight team scorers. He is a Michigan State University commitment.
Kirklan Irey
Musketeers 2019-22
Last season Kirklan saw a full schedule for a rookie playing in forty-five contests. He would notch six goals including
his first goal against Green Bay and first game-winner against Fargo. he would also add eleven assists.
Veteran Kirklan Irey returns for a second season with the Musketeers where he plays fifty-one games during this shortened
regular season. He records ten goals including a game winner and a power play red-lighter and and eight assists.
Brian Carrabes
Musketeers 2019-21
A late season trade made Brian a Musketeer for the remaining four games of his rookie season. Prior to that trade,
he notched eight goals and nineteen assists for the Sioux Falls Stampede playing in forty-two contests.
This season, veteran Brian Carrabes helps usher the Musketeers into the play-offs. The team’s second leading scorer would
rack-up twenty-one goals; including four game winners and four power-play tallies. Brian would also add nineteen helpers this
season; recording several multi-point games, including his best outing on December 29th when he recorded both a pair of goals
and assists in a 6-3 win over the Fargo Force. He will go on to play at Boston University after his USHL career.
Did You Know…five former Musketeers were finalists for this year’s Hoby Baker Award. This honor is presented to the
nation’s most outstanding college hockey player. Odeen Tufto, Connor Ford, Alex Steeves, Cole Koepke and Marcel
Godbout. Odeen would advance to the Hoby Baker Award’s top ten finalists.
Gabe Blanchard
Musketeers 2019-21
Last season as a rookie, Gabe finished the regular schedule with four goals and seven assists. He was also third among
the team’s penalty minute leaders with sixty-four.
Gabe Blanchard returns to Sioux City as a second season veteran and plays a huge part the Musketeers defensive corps.
Two of his five goals come at the beginning of the season, when he scores both Musketeer goals in a four-two loss to the
the Waterloo Black Hawks. He would also add seven assists for a dozen regular season points. He would lead the team
both as an Alternate Captain and as the team’s penalty minutes leader with 113. He is currently playing for
the University of Massachusetts-Lowell (NCAA)
Mikey Adamson Nick Pierre
Musketeers 2000-22 Musketeers 2020-22
Mikey Adamson joins the team after playing several seasons of High School and AAA hockey in Massachusetts. He is a top
scoring defenseman playing for both Dexter Southfield High (USHS) and the Neponset River Rats (U18). This first season in
Sioux City, Mikey would log a busy schedule seeing time in forty-one games and recording five assists.
Nick Pierre, last year’s Hill-Murry High School leading scorer, looks to bring more of that to the Musketeers this rookie
season. Playing an abbreviated, he would still grab his first USHL red lighter on April 16th in a win over the Sioux Falls
Stampede. He is committed to play at the University of Wisconsin at the end of his USHL career.
20 Seasons of Radio Play-by-Play
Long-time radio/media veteran Curtis Anderson celebrates twenty seasons as the “Voice of
the Musketeers”. Broadcasting Musketeer games since 2001. Arguably, his most memorable call
would come as the Musketeers defeated the heavily favored Omaha Lancers in the 2002 Clark Cup
Championship. Originally from Minnesota, he started his radio career in 1994 and moved
to Sioux City in 1999 where he would work for KMNS Radio sports department, eventually
hosting several different shows on the Fox Sports Network.
Justin Hrychowian
Musketeers 2020-21
Justin brings a season’s worth of prior USHL experience playing for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders; recording four
goals and ten assists in seventeen games.
Returning USHL veteran Justin Hrychowian joins the Musketeers. He sees time in just forty-four games, but is still able to
finish third in team scoring recording seventeen goals and thirty-one points. This season’s Team Captain also records a pair
of game winners and five power play goals. He tallies his first Musketeer goal on November 14th in a win over the Waterloo
Black Hawks. Justin had three three-point outings including his best on March 6th when he scored a pair of red lighters and
added an assist in a 5-2 win over the Des Moines Buccaneers. Committed to Northeastern University.
Did You Know…the Musketeers would win fifteen of their last eighteen regular season games; including two six game
winning streaks. Chase Bradley would record a dozen points in his last ten games and Akira Schmid would set a USHL
record with twelve consecutive wins, rocketing the Musketeers from fifth into a tie for second place.
8-Musketeers vs. Lincoln Stars-2
February 27th, 2021
By the time the middle of the second period rolls around, the Musketeers have hung five unanswered goals on the home
team. Brian Carrabes, Ethan Edwards, Christian Jimenez, Tabor Heaslip and Chase Bradley have all lit the lamp.
This tussle between rookies Mikey Adamson and Jack O’Leary sparks the Stars breifly, but Christian Jimenez grabs his
second goal of the night pulling the plug on any chance of a Stars rally.
Joel Maatta Alex Tracy
Before its over, Joel Maatta and Shai Buium both add some salt to the wound, sending that night’s Ice Box attendees
home with frowney faces. Alex Tracy makes twenty-three saves for the win and Christian Jimenez is the game’s First
Star in this beat-down victory over the Stars.
Ben Steeves Ethan Edwards
Musketeers 2020-21 Musketeers 2020-21
Ben Steeves joins the Musketeers this season with past USHL experience having played a pair of games the
prior season for the Lincoln Stars. The rookie sees time in forty-one contests, he adds a pair of assists and nets
ten goals, including his first on October 5th against the Omaha Lancers. His best outing is against Sioux Falls
on March 31st when he grabbed a pair of goals in a win over the Stampede. He is committed to play for
University of Minnesota/Duluth.
Another rookie this season, Ethan Edwards plays one game shy of a full season. Logging time in fifty-one contests
and finishing among the top four Musketeer scorers with twenty-seven points. He grabs six goals, including a game
winner and a couple of power play red-lighters. His first tally would come on December 12th against the Waterloo
Black Hawks. Ethan’s remaining twenty-one assists was best among all team scorers. He was the Feb 15th USHL
player of the week, a University of Michigan commitment and in 2020 he was drafted by the
New Jersey Devils (NHL).
Ben Doran
Musketeers 2019-23
Ben’s rookie season saw him tally three goals and four assists. His first two red-lighters would come in just his second game
in a win over the Lincoln Stars. He is committed to Bowling Green State after his USHL career is complete.
Ben Doran returns for his second season with the Musketeers. Unfortunately, an injury plagued season curtails his playing
time significantly and he sees action in only twenty games. He does score a goal and three assists during the regular season.
Christian Jimenez
Musketeers 2018-21
One of last season’s USHL All-Rookie team members he racked-up seven goals and twenty-one assists and finished
among the Musketeers top five Heavy Hitters.
Christian’s third season with the Musketeers finds him heading up the defensive corps. The veteran defenseman is selected
as one of the Musketeer Alternate Captains. He recorded four goals this season, three of them were game winners, and
an additional eleven helpers. His eighty-four minutes in the box was second highest among his team mates. Christian is
committed to play for the Harvard Crimson.
Face-off for Charity
After a canceled season last year the Boys & Girls Home Face-off for Charity is back on in the form of an online auction.
Autographed jerseys of NHL’ers Patrick Kane, Carter Hart, Joe Nieuwendyk and former Musketeer Danny DeKeyser. The
auction closes on April 18th at 8:00 pm.
Sampo Ranta
Musketeers 2016-18
Former Musketeer Sampo Ranta makes a rare post-season NHL debut on May 30th, against the Vegas Golden Knights in
the first round. he would spend three seasons playing for the Avalance (NHL) and Eagles (AHL). Prior to that he was a
stand out player at the University of Minnesota for three seasons and lastly spent two seasons in Sioux City, the latter as
the team’s second leading scorer.
Carter Loney Matteo Costantini
Musketeers 2020-21 Musketeers 2020-21
Rookie Carter Loney sees time in forty-nine games this season; recording eight goals and eleven assists. His first tally is on
December 12th against the Waterloo Black Hawks. He wastes little time getting on the score sheet, including a pair of assists
and this first goal, also a game winner, in just his second game of the season. Carter would record several multi-point games;
saving his best performance for the last day of the season scoring two goals in a win over the Fargo Force. He is committed to
play at the University of Minnesota/Duluth (NCAA)
Matteo Costanini
Cross Check Cancer
January 16th, 2021
6-Musketeers vs. Sioux Falls Stampede-2
Sioux City dominates the Stampede. Joel Maatta gets the ball rolling in the first. Justin Hryckowian adds two quick
goals and Kirklan Irey and Matteo Costantini also pile on with goals of their own. Brian Carrabes adds another one
at the beginning of the third putting the game out of reach for the visitors. Akira Schmis stops twenty-one Stampede
shots for the win.
Military Appreciation Night
April 24th 2021
4-Musketeers vs. Tri City Storm-1
Kim Reynolds Pete Ricketts Kristi Noem Kim Reynolds Pete Ricketts Kristi Noem
In conjunction with the Tri-State Govenors Meeting held in Sioux City; Govenors Kim Reynolds-Iowa, Pete Ricketts-Nebraska
and Kristi Noem-South Dakota are all in attendance for tonights game.
Caryer Loney Akira Schmid
Trailing by a goal after the first period, the Musketeers pounce on the Storm scoring three times in the second period.
Justin Hryckowian evens the game up but two quick goals by Carter Loney put the Storm on the defence. Brian Carrabes
cements the win with an empty netter. Akira Schmid is nearly perfect, stoping an onslaught of thirty-five Storm shots on
goal including sixteen in the third period alone.
Did You Know…The Musketeers raised over $55,000 dollars during their Military Appreciation Night jersey auction donating
all of the proceeds to the local Midwest Honor Flights charity. Over the last three years, the Musketeers have donated over
$100,000 to the Honor Flight organization.
Bennett Schimek Tabor Heaslip
Musketeers 20-22 Musketeers 20-22
Bennett Schimek logged a few games last season in Omaha before joining the Musketeers this season full-time. During this
condensed season, the rookie would see time in fifty of fifty-four games; recording eleven goals and thirteen assists. He
would record his first tally in just his second game as a Musketeer, on November 14th against the Waterloo Black Hawks
as well as a pair of game winners against Lincoln and Fargo.
Prior to joining the Musketeers, Tabor Heaslip leads is his high school team in scoring, the Team Captain averaged well
over a point per game. This season the rookie would see a busy schedule, missing just four games during this contracted
fifty-four game regular season; recording four goals and ten assists. His first red-lighter would come on December 5th
against the Omaha Lancers.
Shai Buium
Musketeers 2019-21
The San Diego native and Shattuck/St Mary’s veteran, took time off last season to test the USHL waters; playing in three
Musketeer games he would record his first point with an assist on a game tieing goal against the Lincoln Stars.
Returnig for what will be a busy rookie season, Shai Buium sees time in fifty of fifty-four regular season games this contracted
season; scoring four goals & twenty-two assists. His twenty-eight points places him among the teams top five high scorers.
Shia would grab his first Musketeer goal on January 6th in a win over the Fargo Force. He would also post five multi-point
games including his best outing recording a goals an dan assist in Lincoln. He is University of Denver commitment and was
selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2021 NHL draft.
2021 Frozen Four / National Championship
PPG Arena / Pittsburgh, PA
March 26th-28th
Five past Musketeers players make an appearance in this season’s final four showcase; Ryan Sandelin, Blake Biondi,
Walker Duhr, Micah Miller and Cole Koepke.
2021 BioSteel All-American / USHL All-Star Game
April 7th, 2021
Plymouth, MI
Second season veteran Shai Buium is the only Musketeer selected to this season’s All-Star game.
***********************************2021 USHL Play-Offs**********************************
After the abrupt end of the 19-20 season due to Covid restrictions, the League modifies the post season format. The top two
teams in each division will get a bye. The remaining four teams will play a three game series, all on the home ice of the
higher seeded team. The semi-finals will also be a three game series, again, all on higher seeded team’s home team ice.
The finals will remain a best of five series.
The Musketeers finish the season on a tear…losing just one of their last fourteen games. Prior to that the team’s hopes of
make the post season were dim; hovering around the fifth and sixth place in the west division. The finish the season tied
for second place but lose the home ice advantage to the Lancers. Akira Shmid carries the mail for the Musketeers posting
a pair of shut-outs and five single-goal games, as he wins in his last dozen straight starts.
Divisional Quarter-Final Game
Musketeers vs. Omaha Lancers 
May 1st, 2nd and 3rd if necessary.
An end of the season run rockets the Musketeers into a second place tie with the Omaha Lancers, however, they own the
tie-breaker gaining home ice advantage. This three game miniseries takes place in Omaha at the Ralston arena. Both games
are packed with fans; a good portion of them wearing green and gold.
2-Musketeers vs. Omaha Lancers-1
Game 1
The series opener has the Sioux City faithful watch Musketeer Ben Doran score the eventual game winner in the first
period and Shai Buium adding some extra security in the second. Akira Schmid stops all twenty-five Lancer attempts
for a shut-out and a game one victory.
2-Musketeers vs. Omaha Lancers-1
Game 2
Game two the following night is a must win for the Lancers and they play like it. However, it’s the Musketeers striking first
on a Chase Bradley red-lighter in the opening period. Omaha counters in the second, but Justin Hrychowian grabs the only
glory of the third period, giving the Musketeer a victory and a ticket to the second round. Akira Schmid is nearly flawless
again, stopping twenty-nine Lancer attempts, fighting off six power plays and nearly two minutes of six on five hockey
in the final minutes of the game.
Divisional Semi-Final Game
Musketeers vs. Fargo Force 
May 7th-8th & 10th if necessary
The second seed Musketeers select the home/away/home format in this second round series. The Force is fresh off a three
game series up-set over the best in the west Tri-City Storm. Unfortunatly, after winning fourteen of their last fifteen games,
the Musketeer tank starts to dry-up.
1-Musketeers vs. Fargo Force-6
Game 1
Game one sees Fargo put up three goals in the first period and another in the second. A multi-player fight would send
Musketeer top scorer Chase Bradley & Gabe Blanchard along with top defenceman Chistian Jimenez to the locker
room for the rest of the game. The old-school brawl breifly sparks the Musketeers and an Ethan Edwards goal gets the
team on the board. However, a quick responce from the Force quells the momentum and an additional Fargo goal in the
third puts the Musketeers a game down in the series.
0-Musketeers vs. Fargo Force-3
Game 2
The team looks to rebound the following night in Fargo, but it just isn’t the Musketeers night. The Musketeers launch thirty-four
shots on goal, but can’t foil the Fargo netminder. Down two goals, the Musketeers stay within striking distance until an empty
netter put the game out of reach and finishes the season for the Musketeers.
2021 NHL Draft
July 23rd & 24th, 2021
this season’s draft is held remotely and conducted from the NHL studios in Secaucus, New Jersey. Fifty USHL players are
selected this season; this is the fourth consecutive year with fifty or more drafted players and the tenth years of forty or more
drafted players.
Shai Buium Daniel Laatsch Owen McGlaughlin
Musketeers 2020-21 Musketeers 2020-21 Muskleteers 2021-22
Musketeers Shai Buium (Round 2 / Detroit Red Wings), Daniel Laatsch (Round 7 / Pittsburgh Penguins) and
Owen McGlaughlin (Round 7 / Philadelphis Flyers) are all selected in this season’s draft.
NHL Debut
Note new skaters this season?????
Musketeer News…
Matiss Kivlenieks
…On July 4th, 2021 the Musketeers lose a family member; the former Musketeer goaltender goaltender passes away from a fatal upper
body injuryreceived during a family get-together. Matiss would become the first Musketeer player to secure both the USHL’s
Player of the Year and Goaltender of the Year awards. He would set countless individual goaltending records during the regular
season, lead Sioux City to a regular-season championship and guide them on a trip to the final championship game. He would be
named to the All-USHL First Team. On October 2nd of next season’s home opener, Matiss’ number 35 is retired and hung
in the Tyson rafters among the team’s other Championship banners.
Dave Hakstol
…the former Musketeers Head Coach/General Manager (1996-99) makes NHL history when he stuns NHL prognosticators
and is selected to lead the newly formed Seattle Kraken. Dave will team up with NHL legend Ron Francis as they select the
players for the NHL’s newest team. The Expansion Draft will take place on July 21st, 2021
While coaching at North Dakota, Dave was a seven-time NCAA Coach of the Year nominee. He led the Fighting Sioux to the
Frozen Four seven times.
2021 Hoby Baker Award
…Orginating in 1981, this award is presented annually to the most outstanding men’s college hockey player in the U.S. Add
Musketeer players in addition to Odene Tufto (2016-17). He would go on to be atop ten award finalist.
2020 World Junior A Challenge Tournament
Challenge Tournament
Canceled due to Covid-19 restrictions
The Sioux City Musketeers celebrate 50 seasons as members of the USHL
Cedar Rapids and Madison return to the league after suspended season (storm and covid) bringing the league back to sixteen teams,
all playing a 62 game regular season schedule.
Eastern Conference: Chicago Steel, Dubuque Fighting Saints, Green Bay Gamblers, Madison Capitols, Muskegon Lumberjacks,
Team USA, Youngstown Phantoms, Waterloo Black Hawks
Western Conference: Des Moines Buccaneers, Dubuque Fighting Saints, Fargo Force, Lincoln Stars, Omaha Lancers,
Sioux Falls Stampede, Tri-City Storm, Sioux City Musketeers
Selections for all Musketeer decade teams begin over the summer. All potential played are evaluated largely on their on-ice
performance during their Musketeer playing seasons.
A team from each of the Musketeers 5 decades will be selected. The introduction of a Musketeer Ring of Honor will also be
instituted this season.
Sioux City Announces a series of five All Decade Teams as well as a 50 Season All-Star Team.
Need information here.
Musketeers host the Western Division Fall Classic Pre-Season Tournament in Sioux City on
Sept 10-12, 2021at the Tyson Event Center.
Feb 11th they warm up in Audri Brown jerseys. There is a silent auction during the third period.
March 11th Pack the House for Pautsch warm-up jersey. There is a silent auction during the third period.
Musketeer Front Office Staff
Lloyd Ney Travis Morgan Rich Zaber Tanner Hensley Austin Davis Marne Pierce
Owner & Partner Executive VP Game Operations VP Game Night Ops. Social Media & PR Office Manager
Long-time owner and Executive President Lloyd Ney, and Executive Vice President Rich Zaber return for another season. Game
Operations Vice President Travis Morgan also returns for his second season. Tanner Hensley joins the team handling all game
night operations, Brice Griffin and Austin Davis serve as the Musketeers Social Media administrators. Marne Pierce takes
on the previous season’s unfilled Office Manager position.
Musketeer Coaching Staff
Luke Strand Colten St. Claire Mike Fanelli Jacqui Gutierrez Damon Wheeler
Head Coach Associate Coach Asst. Coach Trainer Equipment Manager
Shane Clifford-Goalie Coach Andy Johnson-GM Scouting Mike Berra-Player Development.
Luke Strand enters his fifth season as the Musketeers Head Coach. Joing him are new Assistant Coaches Colton St. Clair
and Mike Fanelli. Colton is a USHL veteran, having played three season with the Fargo Force and appearing in two Clark Cup
Finals. He is also a two-time Junior A Challenge Cup gold medalist. Jacqui Gutierrez returns for her third season as Athletic
Trainer. New Equipment Manager Damon Wheeler joins the team having spent the last seven seasons working the same position
with the University of Alabama. Long-time coaching staff staples Goalie Coach Shane Clifford and GM of Scouting Andy
Johnson return for another season.
Between The Pipes
USHL veteran Alex Tracy and rookie Axel Mangbo compose this season’s goaltending duo. This will be Alex’s second season
with the Musketeers and is ready to take on the starting goaltender duties. Axel joins the Musketeers after two seasons playing
at home in the Swedish Jr. League.
Alex Tracy Axel Mangbo
Musketeers 2020-22 Musketeers 2021-23
With the brief help of emergency goaltender Kristopher Eberly, they record a 41-16-4-1 overall record and finish second in
the west division and in third place overall. This duo would reunite the last week of the regular season and put togetether a
play-off run that would bring Sioux City their fourth Clark Cup Championship.
Alex Tracy
Musketeers 2020-22
After a prior season of tutillage from the League’s Goaltender of the Year; Alex is ready to take on the starting duties and
build on his last season’s successes.
Alex performs as advertised, and helps lead the team to a second place finish in the west division. He finishes with a 27-10-3-0
record and leads all other goalies in the league with forty-four games played. His 2.50 goals against average, twenty-seven wins,
two shoot-out wins and three shut-outs, are all second best among all goaltenders this season.
Clark Cup Most Valuable Player
Alex Tracy is selected as the Clark Cup Championship’s Most Valuable Player. During the four game championship series he would hold
the high scoring Caps to just six goals; turning away ninty-six shots on goal and earning a shut-out in game two. He would also record
another pair of play-off shut-outs against tri-City and Waterloo.
USA Hockey Goaltender of the Year
Alex Tracy is selected as the USA Hockey Goaltender of the Year. This includes all participating players from every College and
and Junior team in the United States. He finished first in games played this season (fourty-four) and second among all USHL
goaltenders in regular season in wins (twenty-seven), goals against average (2.50) and shut-outs (three).
After back-to-back New Year’s dissapointments on Decemer 31st and January 2nd, Alex would go on to win eighteeen of
his next twenty-two games.
Axel Mangbo
Musketeers 2021-23
Axel joins the Musketeers straight from Sweden, where he split a pair of seasons playing in both the Elite and Super Elite divisions.
Axel Mangbo starts the season in the back-up position, but still sees a busy schedule logging time in nineteen games and finishing
with an 11-5-1-1 record. He would record his first victory on opening day day, September 26th against the Muskegon LumberJacks
where he stopped twenty-seven of the ‘Jacks attempts. A late season injury would sideline him for a long stretch during the second
half of the season. However, he was able to return for the last weekend of the regular season where he would grab a Friday night
win over Lancers.
Kristoffer Eberly
Musketeers 2021-22
Emergency goaltender Kristoffer Eberly joins the Musketeers late in the season to fill in for an injured goalie. Pulling
back-up duties, he still see time in four contests. Grabbing his first USHL win on March 13th agains the Des Moines
Buccaneers. He stops nineteen shots on goal and is selected the Third Star of the Game. An anticipated return to Sioux
City next season is squashed when he is traded to Green Bay where he leads the league in games played and is second
in wins. He is committed to play at the Ohio State University next season.
High Scorers
Owen McLaughlin Ben Steeves Dylan James Charlie Schone Bennett Schimek
Musketeers 21-22 Musketeers 20-22 Musketeers 21-22 Musketeers 21-22 Musketeers 21-22
Owen McLaughlin and Ben Steeves set the one-two pace for scoring this season; Owen with seventy-two points and a
team leading forty-four assists and Ben tying a longtime established team record of thirty-nine goals in a single season.
Dylan James explodes on to the scoring scene adding twenty-four points in his last sixteen games, he records a total of
twenty-eight goals and thirty-three assists. Charlie Schone grabs twenty-six red-lighters for fifty-six points and Bennett
Schinek rounds out the top five scorers with thirteen goals and thirty-six points.
Heavy Hitters
Owen Fowler Ralfs Bergmanis Ben Steeves Kirklan Irey Sam Deckhut
Musketeers 21-22 Musketeers 21-22 Musketeers 20-22 Musketeers 19-22 Musketeers 21-Present
Joining the Musketeers mid-season, Owen Fowler racks-up 112 penalty minutes in Omaha and eighty-six more in
Sioux City. His 196 total minutes is second best in the league. Ralfs Bergmanis is a stone’s throw behind with 157
minutes, placing him fourth in the league. High scorer Ben Steeves spends eighty-six minutes in the box. Kirklan
Irey and Sam Deckhut record seventy-six and seventy-two minutes respectively.
Did You Know…The Hockey News selected Sioux City as the one of the top three teams in the league for recruiting, scouting and
player development. NHL Agents, Scouts and GM’s were surveyed for the top teams in several different leagues in North America.
Owen McLaughlin
Musketeers 2020-22
After a logging three games with the Musketeers in 2020 and four more with the USA National Team in 2021, Owen joins
the Musketeers and proves he is USHL ready this time.
Owen stets the scoring pace this season recording twenty-eight goals and a team leading forty-four assists. He notches
his first USHL point, against his old USA National Team, during the Fall Classic in Pittsburgh. A week later, on October
2nd, he grabs his first USHL goal and first of many First Star of the Game honors in a win over the Sioux Falls
Stampede. He is a University of North Dakota commitment and was drafted by the Flyers in the 2021 Draft.
Ben Steeves
Musketeers 2020-22
Returning for a second season, Ben is looking to build on his ten goals and twelve points the prior season. He is a projected
Musketeers top scorers this next season.
Ben leads the team in single-season goals with thirty-nine; the most from a Musketeer in the last twenty-five seasons. He
would also add twenty-eight helpers and finish as the team’s second leading scorer with sixty-seven points. Ben records
fifteen multi-point games, including his best outing, scoring four goals against the Fargo Force on February 19th. He
would also share the League’s top spots for single season goals and game winning goals with thirteen. Ben is slated
to play for the Minnesota/Duluth Bulldogs next season.
Did You Know…Ben’s two other brothers, Alex and Matt also played for the Musketeers during the 2015-16 season.
Matiss Kivlenieks Number is Retired
October 22nd, 2021
Left: A recap of Matiss’ remarkable hockey career & life story are played on the big screen. This includes tributes from
team mates, coaches and family. Fans are treated to some of Matiss’ highlight reel saves, both in the USHL and the NHL.
After an honary moment of silence, host family Chass, Kari and Cindy Beving drop the ceremonial opening face-off.
Right: Matiss’ number and banner is raised to the Tyson Event Center rafters honoring this terrific player and human
being. As the number is retired no longer will any player wear this number.
Kivi’s Corner
Kivi’s Corner is established my the Musketeers to continually honor this remarkable past Musketeer player. He is the first ever
Musketeer player to secure both the USHL’s Player of the Year and Goaltender of the Year awards. Along the way he would
set countless individual goaltending records during the regular season, lead Sioux City to a regular-season championship and
guide them on a trip to the final championship game.
In remberance of a wonderful teammate, friend and hereo in the end.
Cross Check Cancer
October 23rd, 2021
6-Musketeers vs. Sioux Falls Stampede-2
Tonight’s Cross Check Cancer game sees Charlie Schoen hang a hattie on the visiting Des Moines Buccaneers.
The eventual 1st Star of the Game scored once in all three periods, his tally in the second proved the game-winner.
2nd Star goalie Axel Mangbo stopped eighteen shots for the win, 3rd Star Nick Pieere added an empty-netter
and Dylan James recorded a pair of assists. Sierra Prue interviews the game’s first star Charlie Schoen.
Akira Schmidt
Musketeers 2020-21
Akira Schmidt last season’s Musketeer leading goaltender and the USHL Goalie of the Year, grabs his first NHL start on
December 11th, 2021 against the New York Islanders. He turns away twenty-nine of the Islanders thirty-three attempts. The
following season he would record his fist win on November 10th against the Ottawa Senators and his first shut-out on
February 25th against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Ben Doran
Musketeers 2019-23
After playing two prior seasons as a Musketeer, Ben is ready to build on his last two season’s offensive production. As
a rookie he posted three red-lighters, including his first goal and first game-winner and an additional goal last season.
He is now a seasoned veteran and a break-out season is just around the corner.
Joining the Musketeers for a third season, Ben Doran would have the break-out season he was hoping for. Recording
thirteen goals this season, including a two goal-three point game against the Omaha Lancers. His seventeen assists and
thirty total points places him among the team’s top nine scorers. Ben plays a complete sixty-two game regular season
schedule that puts him on an eventual path to the Musketeer record book. Check back next season as the fourth season
veteran makes a run for Most Game Played All-Time by a Musketeer record.
Charlie Schoen
Musketeers 2021-22
Charlie arrives here with some Junior experience; having played eleven games for the Lincoln Stars (USHL) and two full seasons
for the Janesville Jets (NAHL). He would record his first USHL goal on April 6th, 2019 against the Central Illinois Aces.
Charlie Schoen joins the squad this season and starts to find the back of the net right away. He posts fourteen points in
his first ten games, including his first Musketeer goal on October 10th in a win over Sioux Falls and a hat trick on
October 23rd against the Des Moines Buccaneers. Charlie would notch twenty-six goals, seven of those game winners,
and thirty assists; his fifty-six points is fourth best among team scorers. He would grab a dozen multi-point games including
his best outing; two goals and two assists against the Fargo Force. He is currently playing for Arizona State University.
Alex Steeves
Musketeers 2015-16
Past Musketeer player Alex Steeves makes his NHL debut on December 7th against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Two games later he would record his first NHL point in a win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Alex played three USHL
seasons; his rookie season in Sioux City and two in Dubuque where he led the Fighting Saints in scoring his final year.
Dylan Gratton Garrett Brown
Musketeers 2021-22 Musketeers 2021-24
USHL veteran Dylan Gratton played two prior season with Youngstown and Muskegon before joining the Musketeers
this season. Playing a pair of games shy of a complete season, Dylan helped solidify the Musketeers defensive corps. He did
record three goals; his first as a Musketeer in a win over the Stampede on April 3rd. Dylan also assisted on eighteen team
red-lighters; four of those were on game winners. He will pay for Penn States following this last season in the USHL.
Did You Know…Dylan’s older brother, Tyler, scored the overtime goal in game five, lifting the Chicago Steel past the
Musketeers in the 2017 Clark Cup Championship game.
Garrett Brown logged a single game with the Musketeers prior to this official rookie season where he never missed
a game. He would notch four goals, his first on December 28th in a win over the Waterloo Black Hawks, and add a dozen
helpers before the end of the season. Garrett was the sole Musketeer to play in the BioSteel All-American game held on
January 22nd this season. His currently committed to play for the University of Denver after his USHL careere.
Did You Know…After 18 seasons with the Musketeers, Executive President Rich Zaber steps down from the team.
He first joined the team in 2004, as head of the sales department and in 2010 he was promoted to his executive VP
position. Richie would take a similar position with the Omaha Lancers.
Joe Snively
Musketeers 2012-15
Former Musketeer and three season veteran Joe Snively makes his NHL debut playing for the Washington Capitals on
December 19th, 2021 against the Los Angeles Kings recording his first NHL assist in his first game. Joe would notch
his first two NHL red-lighters on February 10th, 2022 in a three point outing in a win over the Montreal Canadians.
Kirklan Irey
Musketeers 2019-22
After two busy seasons in Sioux City the rookie recorded six goals and eleven assists. He would grab his first red lighter
against the Green Bay Gamblers and his first game winner aganis the Fargo Force. The following season Kirklan would record
ten goals and eight helpers and show that he is ready to help lead the team as a seasoned veteran.
Returning for a third season, Kirklan Irey gets in the book quickly; recording five goals and three assists in his first
seven games. These eight points earn him the season’s first Forward of the Week honors. The Musketeer’s team Captain
would finish the season notching nine red lighters and thirteen helpers. The following season he will be playing
for the Bemidji State Beavers (NCAA).
Tabor Heaslip
Musketeers 2020-22
Tabor returns for a second season in Sioux City hoping to build on his four goals and fourteen points during his rookie season.
Tabor Heaslip is selected as one of the team’s Alternate Captains. He notches a dozen goals and thirteen assists this season,
including a couple of game winners against Tri-City and Des Moines. He will continue play at the University of
Connecticut next season.
Mikey Adamson
Musketeers 2020-22
Mikey looks to build on his success having logged a busy schedule for a rookie player, logging forty-four games all
while and earning valuable game experience.
Veteran Mikey Adamson returns for his second season and is selected as one of the team’s Alternate Captains. He notches
his first goal on October 22nd against the Tri-City Storm and adds a dozen more assists. He is committed to play for the
University of Massachusetts next season.
Griffen Ludtke
Musketeers 2020-22
Looking to build on his rookie success’s last; he saw time in forty-four games, including his first USHL tally against the
Lincoln Stars and an additional eleven assists this season.
Griffen Ludtke returns for a second season. He is selected as one of the Musketeer Alternate Captains. He logs a busy schedule
fifty regular season contests where he grabs four goals and another eleven helpers. He is committed to play at the University
of Nebraska next season.
Grant Slukynsky Luke Antonacci
Musketeers 2021-24 Musketeers 2021-22
Grant Slukynsky joins the Musketeers with some prior season USHL experience, having played a pair of seasons for the
Fargo Force. One of the team’s Alternate Captains this season, he would play a complete schedule and increasing his scoring
numbers significantly; recording nine goals and twenty assists. Three of those red lighters were game winners against Fargo
twice and another against Omaha. Grant is committed to Northern Michigan University after his USHL career.
Luke Antonacci brings some junior experience with him logging a season in Maine playing in the NAHL. He would notch
five goals, including his first on October 9th against the Fargo Force and an additional eighteen helpers. He is committed to
play at the University of Maine.
Military Appreciation Night
November 13th, 2021
3-Musketeers vs. Tri City Storm-0
Musketeers raise and donate 87,000 to the Midwest Honor Flights organization.
Sam Deckhut
Musketeers 2020-Present
High School prep player and San Diego native Sam Deckhut joins the squad after several seaosns playing U18 Hockey on
the west coast. The youngster jumps right in; seeing time in fifty-eight contests he records four goals and twenty-two assists.
Sam would grab his first USHL tally on November 13th in a win over the Fargo Force. He would also add a post season goal
and an assist helping the Musketeersgo on to a Clark Cup Championship.He is committed to play for St. Lawrence
University/Ohio State after his USHL career.
1985-86 National Championship Team Reunion
February 12th, 2022
3-Musketeers vs. Waterloo Black Hawks-1
Past Musketeers Mike Racz, Scott Schoffstall, Brian Klanow, Brian Giachino
and Larry Whitted all return to Sioux City.
Dylan James
Musketeers 2021-Present
Dylan joins the team after three season playing in the Alberta Junior League. He has a nice scoring touch playing for the
Okotocs Oilers and is expected to bring more of that scoring touch to the Musketeers.
Top three scorer Dylan James notches twenty-eight goals and thirty-three assists this season, including a team leading ten
power play goals and five game winners. He finds the net quickly, scoring his first USHL red lighter in the season opener
against the USA National Team on September 25th. Dylan registers is first hat trick on December 4th against the Omaha
Lancers. He has twenty multi-point games, including his best, scoring four goals in a victory against the Lincoln Stars on
April 1st. Dylan is slated to play at the University of North Dakota following his USHL career.
USHL Rookie of the Year
Dylan James is selected as the USHL Rookie of the Year and is the fifth Musketeer to do so. He is a two-time USHL
Player of the Week and lead all rookies in scoring with sixty-one points. He was a top three regular season team scorer
and lead the Clark Cup Champions in scoring with eight post-season points, including five goals in ten games. He is the
second Musketeer to receive this award and win the Clark Cup in the same season (Brian Williams). Sharing this Rookie
of the Year honors are fellow Musketeers Rick Kennedy-1975, Brian Williams 1982, Tyler Palmiscno -1999 and
Max Pacioretty-2007
Jay Varady
Musketeers Head Coach 2013-17
Jay Varady joins the Detroit Red Wings coaching staff for the 22-23 NHL season. Jay played two USHL seasons with
the Dubuque Fighting Saints and three seasons for Union College. He coached the Musketeer for four seasons compiling
a 136-88-16 overall record. During his final season led the Musketeers to the Clark Cup final.
2001-02 Clark Cup Championship Team Reunion
March 5th, 2022
3-Musketeers vs. Omaha Lancers-1
Insert information here
USHL General Manager of the Year
Musketeers Andy Johnson is selected as the USHL General Manager of the Year. He is the third Musketeer GM (Bob Ferguson,
Mark LaRose) to receive this award. Over the years he built a reputation as an anonymous college/junior hockey blogger who
seemed to be right all the time. He eventually took position with the Waterloo Black Hawks scouting future players, however, it
was Musketeer Head Coach Luke Strand that really went all in on Andy.
After a season scouting for the Musketeers, he was named the team’s new General Manager. Four seasons later he
would help capture a Clark Cup championship as well as put eventual NHLers Bobby Brink and Akira Schmid
in the green and gold.
Pack the House For Brad (Pautsch)
March 11th, 2022
2-Musketeers vs. Waterloo Black Hawks-3 (OT)
Friday night is Pack the House for Brad. The Musketeers and KTIV television team up to honor of local sportscaster
Brad Pautsch; the voice of Siouxland sports for over thirty years. There is a silent auction for many different items
including these special Musketeer warm-up jerseys.
Owen Fowler
Musketeers 2021-22
After a pair of USHL seasons playing in Des Moines and Omaha, Owen is moved to Sioux City. His addition to the line-up in
February is the spark that the team needs; playing in the remaining twenty eight games – they lose only eight times. His presence
in the locker room and on the roster, is felt by both the home and away teams as the Musketeers embark upon their amazing end
of the season run and eventual Clark Cup Championship.
Owen Fwler is added to the roster late in the season; he adds three goals and ten assists to his seven goals and twenty-four
assists and piles on eighty-four penalty minutes to finish second in the league with 196. Owen alters his post-season
play by adding a goal & assist during the play-offs and recording just a pair of minors. He would record eight multi-
point games including his best outing; a goal and a pair of assists in a win over Sioux Falls. He will play at the
University of Massachusetts-Lowell (NCAA) next season.
2022 Frozen Four / National Championship
TD Garden, Boston MA
April 7th – 9th
Did You know….Former Musketeers Bobby Brink and Shia Buium would help the Denver Pioneers win their ninth National
Championship with a win over the Minnesota State Mavericks.
Bobby was the NCAA regular season leading scorer as well as NCHC’s Player of the Year and Forward of the Year. He was
the Pioneers top scorer, team captain and one of ten Hoby Baker finalists. He was also a past member of the NCHL All-Rookie
team and won a gold medal at the World Juniors tournament. Shia played nearly a complete season as a freshman
and recorded three goals and fifteen assists. Last season, he was a USHL All-Rookie Team selection.
2023 BioSteel All-American / USHL All-Star Game
January 17th, 2022
Plymouth, MI
Second season veteran Garrett Brown is the only Musketeer selected to this season’s All-Star game. Green Bay veteran
Damien Carfagna would record the classic’s game winner in overtime. More importantly, he would eventually join forces
with Brown and the Musketeers becoming a driving force in the Clark Cup Championship victory.
Bobby Brink
Musketeers 2017-19
Just three days after leading the Denver Pioneers to a National Championship, Bobby Brink makes his NHL debut with the
Philadelphia Flyers on April 12th, 2022 against the Washington Capitals recording his first NHL assist. He would spend the
following season playing in the AHL before joining the Flyers again for the 2023-24 season. On October 26th, 2003 he would
record his first two NHL red-lighters against the Minnesota Wild. His second goals of the night is the eventual game winner
and the first of his career.
Nick Pierre
Musketeers 2020-22
Last season the rookie saw time in twenty-games, notching his first red-lighter in a win against the Sioux Fall Stampede.
Nick Pierre returns for a second season in Sioux City where he sees time in all but two regular season games. He records
seventeen goals and sixteen assists; his thirty-three points is eight best among all team scorers. He is committed to play at the
University of Wisconsin at the end of his USHL career.
Spoiler Alert…Nick also had a pretty successful post season; recording three goals and a pair of assists during the ten game
Musketeers Clark Cup campaign. Most noteable, was his over-time game-winner in Madison to give the Musketeers their
fourth Clark Cup Championship.
Walker Duehr
Musketeers 2014-15
Former Musketeer Walker Duehr makes his NHL debut with the Calgary Flames November 14th, 2021 against the
Ottawa Senators. The following season he would record his first NHL goal on January 12th against the St. Louis
Blues and his first NHL assist and second red-lighter on February 22nd playing the Pheonix Coyotes.
Did You Know…This red-lighter makes Walker the first South Dakota (Sioux Falls) native to score a goal in the NHL.
Damien Carfagna
Musketeers 2021-22
Damien joins the Musketeers mid-season after a trade moved him from Green Bay. The second year USHL veteran and Gamblers
Alternate Captain posted five goals and thirty-two assists before adding another goal and ten assists to his Musketeers stats.
Building on his thirty-two points this season with the Gamblers, Damon Carfagna would record another goal and ten
assists during the remainder of the regular season. Damien would add two more assists during the Clark Cup Championship.
Prior to his trade to Sioux City, he was selected to play in this season’s BioSteel All-American Hockey game held on
January 22nd. After this season Damien will play at the University of New Hampshire (NCAA).
Tomi Leppanen Connor Welsh
Musketeers 2021-Present Musketeers 2021-22
Tomi Leppanen arrives in Sioux City fresh from Finland where he spent the last three seasons playing for the nation’s
U17 & U18 teams as well as time in the Finland Junior League. The rookie this season would record four goals and ten
assists. His first Musketeer red-lighter can on November 19th in a win over the Sioux Falls Stampede. He would also
add an additional post-season goal and assist.
Rookie Connor Welsh splits his USHL rookie season; starting with the Musketeers and finishing the Omaha Lancers
(USHL). He would see time in twenty-seven games, recording three goals and a pair of assists. He would grab is first
tally on October 29th against the Lincoln Stars. He is currently committed to play at Boston College (NCAA) the
following season.
Sioux City Musketeers 50th Season Commemorative Cans
The Musketeers, Pepsi Cola of Siouxland and Hy-Vee Food Stores introduce a new Mt Dew commemorative can
celebrating the Musketeers 50th season in Sioux City and as members of the United States Hockey League.
The Musketeers also team-up with Marto Brewery located in Sioux City to help celebrate the 50th season creating a
special Musketeer’s GOALden Ale.
William Smith Ralfs Bermanis
Musketeers 2021-23 Musketeers 2021-22
Canadian William Smith joins the Musketeers this season with some junior experience having played two seasons in the
Aurora Tigers (OJHL). The rookie would see time in twenty-four games recording four assists. He also logged time in all
ten post-season play-off games helping the Musketeers to a Clark Cup Championship.
Born in Latvia, Ralfs Bergmanis he bring some international experience with him having played prior seasons for both that
nation’s Junior and International teams. He would record 157 penalty minutes; second best among the Musketeers and fourth
best among the entire league. However, Ralfs could find the back also; recording four goals, including his first on October
29th against the Lincoln Stars, and ten assists during the regular season. He would also contribute in the post season, recording
a game winning goal and three additional helpers. He is slated to play for the University of Vermont the following season.
Bennett Schimek
Musketeers 20-22
Back for a second season, Bennett is expected to add veteran experience and depth to the Musketeers scoring attack
and is hoping to build upon last season’s eleven goals and twenty-four points.
An early season injury cuts into playing time for Bennett Schimek, but come December, he is back on the ice and ready
to partake in the Musketeers very successful second half. He sees time in thirty-nine games; recording thirteen goals
and twenty-three assists. Eight of those games are multi-point affairs including three point nights against Lincoln,
Tri-City and Waterloo. After this last season he will be playing hockey at Providence College (NCAA).
Leyton Stenman Connor Welsch
Musketeers 21-22 Musketeers 21-22
Rookies Leyton Stenman and Connor Welsch both join the squad this season. Both players see a substantial amount of time.
Leyton would log time in thirty Musketeer games; recording a goal and a pair of helpers. He would grab his first USHL tally against
the Waterloo Black Hawks on November 20th. A mid-season trade would see him finish out the season in Green Bay (USHL).
Connor would also start the season in Sioux City seeing time in twenty-seven games; grabbing three goals, including his first
on October 10th against the Lincoln Stars, and a pair of assists. Again, a mid-season trade would see him play the remaining
season for the Omaha Lancers.
*********************************2022 USHL Play-Offs*********************************
The play-off format remains the same this season; top two teams in each division will get a bye. The remaining four teams will
play a three game miniseries, all on the home ice of the higher seeded team. The quarter-finals will also be a three game series with
game one at the lower seed rink and the two remaining games at the higher seed rink. The remaining semi-final series will be
2-2-1 or 2-3 determined by the higher seed team. The Finals will be a traditional 2-2-1 series.
Starting in January, the Musketeers become the hottest team in the league. Recording only eight losses before season ends
thirty-five games later. They finish second in the west division with a 41-16-4-1 record. They have a first round bye as they
wait to see who their quarter-final opponent will be.
Western Conference Quarter-Finals
Musketeers vs. Waterloo Black Hawks 
April 30th, May 1st and 3rd if necessary.
After a second place finish and a first round play-in buy, the Musketeers take on the sixth place Waterloo Black Hawks. Even fresh
off an upset series win over the Lincoln Stars, the Hawks have some reservations taking on the seemingly unbeatable Musketeers.
3-Musketeers vs Waterloo Black Hawks-1
Game One
The Musketeers dominate the home team in the opening tilt with Ben Steeves, Bennett Schimek and Luke Antonacci recording
each period’s only goals. Alex Tracy stops all but one of twenty-eight Black Hawk shots sending the series back to Sioux City.
1-Musketeers vs Waterloo Black Hawks-2
Game Two
Ben Steeves gets the Musketeers on the board early in the first, but let up too soon on the Black Hawks as they
answer back just minutes later. Waterloo grab another red lighter in the second forcing the Musketeers into playing catch-up
hockey. Unfortunatlly, they produce just four shots on goal in the third period and none of them finding the back of the net.
3-Musketeers vs Waterloo Black Hawks-0
Game Three
Tabor Heaslip Alex Tracy
This rubber match is all Musketeers. Tabor Heaslip gets the game winner in the first period with insurance goals from
Tomi Leppanen and an empty netter from Ben Steeves who records his sixth post-season goal in five games. Alex Tracy
stops sixteen Waterloo shots on goal for the series win.
Western Conference Semi-Finals
Musketeers vs. Tri-City Storm 
May 6th, 7th and 12th
The two best teams in the league remain and will battle it out in the west division conference finals; Anderson Cup Champs vs. the
most explosive team in the league; Tri-City amasses forty-seven wins during the regular season and Sioux City is nearly unbeatable
during the second half.
5-Musketeers vs. Storm-4
Game One
Tri-City capitalizes early in the first period, but twelve minutes later, Ben Steeves ties the game at one apiece. The Storm strikes first again
in the opening minute of the period and adds two more goals before the period is even half over. However, the maybe down-but never out
Musketeers score the game’s next four goals; two in the second by Dylan James and Charlie Schone and two in the third; Nick Pierre ties
the game and Bennett Schimek stuns the home town crowd when he stuffs in the game winner with just five seconds on the clock.
4-Musketeers vs. Storm-3
Game two
It’s more of the same, this time it’s the Musketeers who break out with a four goal first period on red-lighters from Dylan James, Nick Piere
and two from Ben Steeves, his second with just two seconds remaining. TC mounts a comeback bid with a goal in the second and two in
the third but goaltended Alex Tracy rises to the occasion, stops twenty-one shots and give the Musketeers a pair of road wins.
2-Musketeers vs. Storm-0
Game Three
With Sioux City in the driver’s seat, this game turns to a defensive battle between two of the league’s best goaltenders. The games
stay scoreless until midway through the second when Grant Slukynsky eventual game winner gets the Musketeers on the board. TC
launches a barrage of shots on goaltender Alex Tracy but he remains unbeatable, stopping all thirty-one shots on goal. Ben Doran
spreads some icing on the cake with an empty netter that gives the Musketeers the Western Conference Championship and
a trip to the Clark Cup finals.
Clark Cup Final
Musketeers vs. Madison Capitals 
May 15th, 16th, 20th & 21st
The championship series pits the Musketeers against the Madison Capitols. The fifth place Caps have deservedly earned their
way to the final series, beating the number four, three and one seeded teams in the East Conference. The Caps are hot having poured
in eight goals in their most recent win as the series underdogs.
2-Musketeers vs. Capitals-3
Game One
However, the Caps with just three days rest, hit the Musketeers hard with two first period goals. Dylan James grabs some
momentum when he scores early the second, but the Caps answer back befor the period’s end. Sioux City dominates the third
period, launching fourteen shots on goal compared to Madison’s single attempt. Sam Deckhut makes it close midway
through the period but SC takes a penalty late in the game-dashing their chances at a game one win.
3-Musketeers vs. Capitals-0
Game Two
Goaltender Alex Tracey stays perfect for the third time in postseason play, stopping all twenty of the Caps attempts. Ralfs
Bergmanis gets the eventual game winner with just nineteen seconds remaining in the first. After a scoreless second period
Bennett Schimek grabs an insurance goal and Owen Fowler’s empty netter ties the series at one apiece.
3-Musketeers vs. Capitals-2
Game Three
Ben Doran Dylan James
The series moves to Madison with the Musketeers in a position to win the Cup on visitor’s ice just like they did twenty
seasons ago. Dylan James gets the Musketeers going early in the first, but the Caps do answer back twice after one
period of play. However red-lighters by Ben Doran and a second by Dylan in period two and three, give the
Musketeers a win and the series lead.
2-Musketeers vs. Capitals-1 OT
Game Four
Bob Suter Arena looks to be a home game for the Musketeers, as hundreds of faithful fans have made the trek to Madison
hoping to watch their Musketeers clinch the championship. The series turns defensive again with both goaltenders playing
at the top of their game. Neither team can find the back of the net until the third period when Charlie Schone scores the
game’s first goal. However, the Caps don’t just go away-answer back four minutes later, sending the game to overtime.
Nick Pierre Alex Tracy
Just like last time the Musketeers won the Cup, they needed an overtime hero and this time it’s Nick Pierre. Just shy of six minutes
gone in the OT, Nick buries a Charlie Schoen pass giving the Musketeers a victory and their first Clark Cup in twenty seasons.
Once again, Alex Tracy is amazing between the pipes, stopping twenty three shots on goal. He allows the high scoring Caps
only six goals and turns away ninety attempts during the four game series.
Sioux City wins their Fourth Clark Cup Championship.
Kirklan Irey Alex Tracy
Left: Team Captain Kirklan Irey receives this season Clark Cup from USHL President & Commissioner Bill Robertson and
USHL Vice President of Hockey Operation Evan Rand. Right: League Comissioner presents Alex Tracy the Clark Cup series’s
Most Valuable Player award. he would also go on to receive the USA Hockey Goaltender of the Year awards as well.
Following a huge Clark Cup celebration party at the Tyson Event Center the cup spent the whole summer visiting local
business and sponcers . Insert more info here.
2021 World Junior A Challenge Tournament
For the second season in a row, the Junior A Challange Tournament this canceled due to Canada’s extensive Covid restrictions
2022 NHL Draft
July 7th & 8th / Bell Center / Montreal, QC
Scheduled for Fifty-seven USHL players are selected this season; this is the fifth consecutive year with fifty or more drafted
players and the eleventh year of forty or more drafted players. Musketeers Dylan James (Round 2 / Detroit Red Wings)
Garett Brown (Round 4 / Winnipeg Jets) and prior season Joel Matta (Round 7 / Edmonton Oilers) are all
selected in this season’s draft.
Musketeers News…
Head Coach Luke Strand
…After a pair of coaching stints totaling seven seasons and culminating with a 2022 Clark Cup Championship win, Head Coach
Luke Strand takes a new position at the Ohio State University as the teams Assistant Coach.
General Manager Andy Johnson
…Andy is the responsible party for compiling this selected group of USHL Championship players. Ascending from the ranks
of anoumous hockey blogger to the respected hockey talent spotter, Andy is lured away from the Musketeers by the Los Angeles
Kings (NHL) as a member of their scouting staff.
2022 Hoby Baker Award
…Orginating in 1981, this award is presented annually to the most outstanding men’s college hockey player in the U.S. Two
past Musketeers are nominated including Bobby Brink (2017-19) and Austin Heidemann (2019-20).
2021-22
Musketeer Host Familys
ID Family, Sam Deckhut – Griffin Ludtke, Mike Barizzia, ID Player, Owen McGlaughlin – Dylan james, ID Family,
Kirklan Irey, Luke Antonacci
Axel Mangbo, ID Player, ID Family, ID Player, Bennett Schimek – Krisioffer Eberly, ID Family, Jimmy Clark –
William Smith, ID Family, Dylan Gratton
ID Player, ID Player, ID Family, Grant Slukynsky – Ben Doran, Nick Pierre, ID Family, Garrett Brown,
Tomi Leppenam, Ben Steeves
Season Notes:
The Musketeers finish their fifty-first season with a 29-28-2-3 record; tenth in the League and fifth in theWestern Conference.
All 16 USHL member teams play a full 62 game regular season schedule.
Eastern Conference: Chicago Steel, Dubuque Fighting Saints, Green Bay Gamblers, Madison Capitols, Muskegon Lumberjacks,
Team USA, Youngstown Phantoms, Waterloo Black Hawks
Western Conference: Des Moines Buccaneers, Dubuque Fighting Saints, Fargo Force, Lincoln Stars, Omaha Lancers,
Sioux Falls Stampede, Tri-City Storm, Sioux City Musketeers
Jason Kersner becomes the Musketeers as the team’s new Head Coach, Troy Ward is named as the new General Manager
and current Assistant Coach Colton St. Clair is named the Musketeers Assistant General Manager
Musketeers hold their traditional Futures/Main camps on June 10th-19th at the IBP Ice Center. Musketeers host the Western
Division Fall Classic Pre-Season Tournament in Sioux City on Sept 10th-12th, 2021 at the Tyson Event Center
and IBP Ice Center.
Musketeer Front Office Staff
Lloyd Ney Travis Morgan Tanner Hensley Connor Ryan Marnie Pierce
Owner & Partner CEO President Sales& Ticketing Operation Game Night Operation Office Manager
Owner and Executive President Lloyd Ney returns this season after engineering his first Clark Cup Championship. Travis Morgan
returns for his third season, this time as the Musketeers Chief Operating Officer. Tanner Hensley is prpmoted to Director of Sales
& Ticketing as well as all game-night operations duties. Long-time voice of the Sioux City Explorers Connor Ryan is the team’s
newest addition as the team’s Director of Digital Media and PR Operations. Office manager Marne Pierce remains the face of
the Musketeers handling all the front office demands from ticketing, merchandise, promotions and business affairs.
Musketeer Coaching Staff
Jason Kersner Colten St. Claire Mike Fanelli Jacqui Gutierrez Damon Wheeler
Head Coach Associate Coach Asst. Coach Trainer Equipment Manager
Shane Clifford-Goalie Coach Troy Ward-GM Mike Berra-Player Development
Jason Kersner joins the Musketeers as the new Head Coach. Having coached at many levels, he was most recently the head
coach for the Rockets Hockey Club of the National College Developmental Conference. Joining him again this season are Assistant
Coaches in Colton St. Clair and Mike Fanelli. Returning for a fourth season is Athletic Trainer Jacqui Gutierrez and for a second
season Equipment Manager Damon Wheeler. Long-time coaching staff staple Goalie Coach Shane Clifford returns this season.
Troy Ward joins the staff as the new General Manager with Colton St. Clair also serving as the Assistant General Manager.
Head Coach
Jason Kersner
Jason joins the Musketeers as their new head coach and president of hockey operations. Originally from Maryland,
he takes the new position having amassed nearly twenty seasons of coaching the Free State’s top amateur players at
the Midget, AAA and Junior Levels.
Prior to joining the Musketeers, Jason logged a pair of seasons coaching Junior Hockey for the Rockets Hockey
Club in the National Collegiate Development Conference. During his time with the Rockets, he recorded a .747
win percentage while leading the team to the League Finals and Semifinals. Those two teams produced seventeen
NCAA Division-I players.
Jason has also been entrenched in the Musketeer organization for a dozen seasons, serving an integral part in scouting,
recruitment and player development. He also served an interim assistant coach during the 2022 season.
Between The Pipes
USHL veteran Axel Mangbo and rookie Croix Kochendofer compose this season’s goaltending lineup. This is Axel’s second
season with the Musketeers and is ready to take on the starting goaltender duties. Croix Kochendofer joins the Musketeers after
a season playing in the North American League. With some brief help from temporary goaltender Samuel Urban, the Musketeers
record a 29-28-2-3 overall record grabbing the fifth spot in the Western Conference
Axel Mangbo
Musketeers 2021-23
Last season’s three-game rotation saw Axel record time in nineteen games, before a late season injury took him out of the line-up for
a month. He would end the season with an 11-5-2 record and finish among the league’s top ten goalies with a .289 goals against average.
Axel does take on the starting role this season seeing time in thirty-six games; compiling a 15-16-1-0 overall record. He would
add another shut-out to his stats this season blanking the Des Moines Buccaneers. He would record a 2.96 goals against average,
a .890 save percentage and all three of his shoot-outs. Axel was seletced the USHL goaltender of the week following a pair of
wins over Sioux Falls and Des Moines. He is a University of Vermont commitment after his final USHL season.
Croix Kochendofer
Musketeers 2022-23
Croix joins the Musketeers after a prior season playing in the NAHL. The Chippewa Steel starter would see time in thirty-eight
games finishing the season with sixteen wins and two shoot-out losses.
Croix Kochendorfer also grabs his fair share of stars this season seeing time in thirty games finishing with a 12-12-1-3
record. He would tally a pair of shut-outs this season including his first against the eventual league champions Fargo
Force on October 28th, when he stopped all twenty three shots on goal. He woud record a 3.01 goals against average
and a .896 save percentage.
Samuel Urban
2022-Present
Joining the Musketeers for a limited time stint is goaltender Samuel Urban. Fresh from Slovakia, this net minder has multiple
seasons experience playing for his nation’s AAA, Junior and International teams. He is one of the league’s highly scouted goalies
and is expected to return to Sioux City next season.
Sam Urban would see time in four USHL contests helping the Musketeers through a rough patch. He would post a pair
of wins over the Lincoln Stars and the Anderson Cup Champions Fargo Force. Sam would finish with a 2.80 goals
against average and a .918 save percentsge.
High Scorers
Ryan Conmy Tyler Hotson Grant Slukynsky Dylan Godbout Sam Deckhut
Musketeers 22-23 Musketeers 22-23 Musketeers 21-23 Musketeers 21- Musketeers 21-23
Rookie Ryan Conmy leads the way for the Musketeers this season recording sixty-two points including a team high
thirty-three goals. Close behind is USHL veteran but first year skater for the Musketeers; Tyler Hotson finished second
with seventeen goals and a team leading forty-three assists. Returning Musketeer veterans and previous season Clark
Cup Champions Grant Slukynsky, Dylan Godbout and Sam Deckhut round out the top five scorers recording
forty-eight, forty-six and forty-two regular season points.
Heavy Hitters
Easton Zueger Tommi Leppanen Tyler Hotson Colin Kessler Sam Deckhut
Musketeers 22-23 Musketeers 21-23 Musketeers 22-23 Musketeers 22- Musketeers 21-23
Two season USHL veteran Easton Zueger would top the Musketeers this season in penalty minutes with a team
high 147 minutes also the second best in the leagur overall. Another veteran Musketeer and Clark Cup Champion
Tommi Leppanen is a distant second with nintey-eight miniutes in the box. Top Five scorer Tyler Hotson also
makes the list with seventy-nine minutes as does rookie Collin Kessler recording fifty-one. Rounding out the top
five is another team veteran and Clark Cup Champion, Sam Deckhut finishes the season with forty-nine minutes.
Grant Slukynsky
Musketeers 2021-23
A rare four season player, Grant has over 130 USHL contests under his belt before the season starts. Entering his second
season with the Musketeers, and first as Team Captain, he brings with him experience and leadership. He is also looking to
build on his nine goals, twenty assists and Clark Cup Championship.
This season’s Team Captain Grant Slukunsky puts in nearly a complete season missing just one game all year. He would
finish with twenty-one red-lighters and twenty-seven assists. This forty-eight points is third best amoung all Musketeer scorers.
He would record four two-goal games and a dozen multi-point games including his best weekend of the season recording three
goals and three assists in back-to-back season finale games against the Omaha Lancers. This scoring outburst would earn
him USHL Player of the Week honors. Grant is committed to Northern Michigan University after his USHL career.
Ryan Conmy
Musketeers 2022-23
Eventual Musketeer scoring leader Ryan Conmy joins the squad after a pair of high scoring seasons at the AAA level;
recording well over a point per game with the while playing for the Bishop Kearney Selects. As a U16 played he would
lead the team with fifty-six points and as aU18 player finish amoung the top seven high scorers with fifty-four points.
This season is more of the same, recording a team leading thirty-three goals and sixty-eight regular season points. Half of his
games played, were multi-point contests and on seven occasions he recorded three points, including a hat trick on April 7th
against the Tri City Storm. Ryan was selected to the USHL All-Rookie team as well as a member of the USHL Third All-Star
team. He was drafted by the Los Angles Kings (NHL) in 2023 and is committed to play his post-USHL hockey at the
University of New Hampshire (NCAA)
Did You Know…Ryan would be the first Musketeer rookie to score thirty plus goals (33) since Ruslan Fedotenko (55) did
it during the 98-99 season.
Sam Deckhut
Musketeers 2020-23
Last season, the rookie recorded four goals and twenty-two helpers. He would also add a post season goal and an assist
helping the Musketeersgo on to win the Clark Cup Championship.
Top five Musketeer scorer Sam Deckhut returns for his second season recording thirteen goals; including three game
winners and seven power play markers. He would also add thirty-one assists; this forty-four points was fifth amoung all
team scorers this season. He is selected as one of the Team Captains this season and is committed to play for St. Lawrence
University / Ohio State after his USHL career.
Pink in the Rink Cancer Night
October 22nd, 2022
3-Musketeers vs. Sioux Falls Stampede-2
Kaden Shahan Ben Poitras
Sioux City jumps out to a first period lead as Kaden Shahan & Ben Poitras put the Musketeer on top of the visiting Stampede.
Grant Slukynsky and Ryan Conmy collect the points and help give the Musketees an end of the period two goal lead.
Dylan Godbout Croix Kochendorfer
Dylan Godbout gets the second period’s only tally on passes from Garrett Brown and Sam Deckhut as the Musketeer look
to run away with this one. However, the Stampede rally in the third with a pair of quick goals, but it’s not enough;
Croix Kochendofer stops twenty-five Stampede scoring attempts and gets his first win of the season.
Did You Know…After a four seasons hiatus, the traditional Pink in the Rink game returns. With it brings record breaking
success; raising $100,000 in donations to the Unity Point/St. Luke’s oncology services. This includes a post-game jersey auction,
ticket sales, special t-shirts, souvenir pucks and other personal donations made by caring fans in the name of the Musketeers.
Cole Koepke
Musketeers 2016-18
Two season Musketeer veteran and now Tampa Bay Lighting rookie, makes his NHL debut on November 3rd, 2022 against the
Carolina Hurricanes. Just five games into his season, he would notch his first NHL goal on November 13th in a win over the
Washington Capitals.
Kaden Shahan Colin Kessler
Musketeers 2022-Present Musketeers 2022-Present
Rookie Kaden Shahan joins the Musketeers having last played two AAA seasons for the Northwest Stars in the North American
Prospects League. He averaged a point per game recording sixteen goals thirteen assists. Kaden wasted no time booking his first USHL
goals; grabbig his first on September 22nd against the Green Bay Gamblers and two more the following night against the Chicago Steel.
He would tally twenty goals; including a pair of game winners, five power play and three shorties and would also add eleven more assists.
Alaska native Colin Kessler joins the Musketeers having played three prior seasons at Culver Military Academy in Minnesota,
the latter season having led the team in scoring, including thirty-nine goals for eighty-four points in just forty-nine games. Although
just a rookie, he would start the season out on fire-recording a pair of goals and four assists in his first five games. After adding three
helpers, he would record his first red-lighter on October 8th against the Des Moines Buccaneers. He is committed to the University
of Vermont (NCAA).
Connor Ryan Brittini Wentworth
Musketeers 2022-Present Musketeers 2022-Present
Rhode Island native Connor Ryan joins the Musketeer this season as the Head of Digital Media and Public Relations.
He has spent the last eight seasons working for the Sioux City Explorers baseball team. He was an active member in many
team operations including internship programs, fan promotions and game night activities. Connor would spend three
seasons as the team ‘s Director of Ticketing and then four more as the X’s Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations.
He is best known as the ‘Voice of the Explorers’ for four seasons beginning in 2018.
Brittini Wentworth joins the Musketeers Game Night Operations staff. She brings many years of hockey experience
having been a player, coach and fan, as well as some extensive public relations experience. She is a veteran of digital
media sourcing & presentation and hosts a nation wide Colorado Avalance podcast.
Did You Know…Two season Musketeer veteran and second season New Jersey Devil Akira Schmidt earns his first NHL victory on
November 10th against the Ottawa Senators. Two nights later, he records his first full-time game; making sixteen saves in a victory
over the Arizona Coyotes. February 25th he would record his first NHL shut-out, stopping the Philadelphia Flyers twenty-three times.
Aaron Mostrom
USHL Official 2017-Present
Left: Veteran USHL Official Aaron Mostrom, Musketeer Colin Kessler and the guy in the stands are all distracted from the
task at hand. Right: Aaron keeps a close eye on what might be brewing, as Musketeer Dylan Godbout and Buccaneer Kristian
Kocsis have a third period tussle in this seven to two win over the Bucs.
Did You Know…Aaron is currently the torch bearer of a long-time tradition of local Officials in the USHL. Sioux City is the
only team in the USHL that has had a local official on staff, every season, since the inaugural Musketeer season in 1972.
With Aaron entering just his sixth season as an ODP participant, this streak could continue on for many seasons.
2022 Clark Cup Champions
Head Coach Luke Strand General Manager Andy Johnson.
October 30th vs Madison October 8th vs Des Moines
Championship season architects Luke Strand and Andy Johnson return to Sioux City dropping the cermonial opening
face-offs. After surprising the entire league with a championship season Andy is selected as the USHL Manager of the
Year. That summer Andy hired by the Los Angles Kings (NHL) where he would become part of their player scouting and
developenet staff. Luke is snatched up by The Ohio State University taking on the Acciciate head Coaching duties. After
a trip tothe NCAA final eight he is then selected the new Head Coach at Minnesota State University (Mankato).
NCAA National Letter Of Intent Day
November 9th, 2022
Military Appreciation Night
November 12th, 2022
5-Musketeers vs. Sioux Falls Stampede-1
Colin Kessler Garrett Brown
The Musketeers hang four first period goals on the Stampede and never look back. Collin Kessler, Garrett Brown,
Kaden Shahan and Ryan Conmy get the opening period started and Sam Deckhut adds another in the second.
Croix Kochendorfer makes twenty-nine saves. This season’s proceeds from the jersey auction, other game
income and donations will go to the Siouxland Freedom Park and Midwest Honor Flights organizations.
Nick Pierre
Musketeers 2020-23
Last season, Nick recorded seventeen goals and thirty-two regular season points. He also added a pair of post season
assists and three goals; the most important one being the over-time, game-winner in Madison giving the Musketeers
their fourth Clark Cup Championship.
. 
Nick Pierre joins the team for his third season with the Musketeers but would log just sixteen games; recording a pair of
goals and an assists. An early season trade would move him to Cedar Rapids and then eventually Omaha where he would
complete the season playing in fifty-six games; recording ten goals and a dozen assists. He is committed to
play at the University of Wisconsin at the end of his USHL career.
Sioux City Musketeers 2022 Clark Cup Champions Commemorative Cans
For the second season in a row, The Musketeers, Pepsi Cola of Siouxland and Hy-Vee Food Stores introduce a new Mt Dew
commemorative can. This time celebrating the Musketeer 2022 Clark Cup championship. Pictured here are Travis Morgan,
Jason Kersner, Axel Mangbo, Riley Brueck, Tyler Hotson, Ben Doran and Grant Slukynsky.
The Musketeers also team-up again with Marto Brewery located in Sioux City to help celebrate last season’s Clark Cup
Championship with a special commerative GOALden Ale can
Ben Doran
Musketeers 2019-23
Ben is a rare veteran player seeing time in over 140 USHL contests prior to the start of this season. He was a Musketeers top
ten regular season scorer last season, recording thirteen goals and seventeen assists. Ben also added a pair of post-season goals
and assists during the successful Clark Cup Championship run.
Ben Doran returns to the Musketeers for a very rare fourth USHL season with the same team. Selected this season as one of
the Team’s Captains, he would record thirteen goals including seven power-play goals and a team leading five game winners.
He would also add twenty-one assists for thirty-four regular season points, placing him among the team’s top seven scorers.
Ben would finish the season playing in 185 regular season Musketeer games; third best among junior players and fifth
all-time. He is committed to play at Bowling Greene State University at the end of this USHL season.
Did You Know…Only five Musketeer players have played as many or more regular season games than Ben Doran;
Dave Davies (235), Tommy Olczyk (205), Sam Nelligan (200*), Jimmy Peck (187) and Danny Wurden (185).
Important Note: There is a very real possibility the Sam Nelligan played in an additional 48 regular season games during
the 73-74 season. Local records show that Sam played an additional forty-eight games. That differs from the traditional
statistic sites that show this season as Statistics Unavailable. This would place him first amoung all Musketeer players
for total games played.
Mt. Dew / Dew City Musketeers
January 21st, 2023
4-Musketeers vs. Lincoln Stars-1
Ryan Conmy Croix Kochendorffer
The Dew City Musketeers defeat the Lincoln Stars in this special team-up with the Musketeers and PepsoCo of Siouxland.
Jerseys are auctioned at the completion of the game with proceeds going to Camp High Hopes. Sawyer Scholl, Ben Doran,
Ren Morque and Ryan Conmy grab red-lighters in this win over the Stars. Croix Kochendorffer is one shot shy of a
perfect night stoping all but one of the Stars twenty-seven attempts.
Sammy Walker
Musketeers 2017-18
Former Musketeers and now Minnesota Wild forward Sammy Walker makes his NHL debut on December 12th 2022 against the
Vancouver Canucks. Five games later, on Dec 27th he would grab his first NHL tally in a 4-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets.
Garrett Brown
Musketeers 2021-23
One of last season’s iron men and sole Musketeer selected to the bio-Steel All-Star team would record four goals and a dozen
assists during the regular season and add another post-season assist, helping the Musketeers to a Clark Cup Championship. He is
selected by the Winnepeg Jets in the ’22 NHL Draft.
Veteran Garrett Brown is back for another season. Selected as one of the team captains this season, he would record three goals
and thirteen assists. He would record four multi-point games with his best outing on New Year’s Eve, when he scored a goal and
added pair of assists against the Omaha Lancers. A late season trade would send him to Waterloo for the remainder of the
season. Garrett is currently committed to play for the University of Denver next season.
Did You know…Garrett’s dad, Curtis, was an NHLer for thirteen seasons playing for Buffalo, San Jose and Chicago.
This season he is serving as a player development coach for the Lincoln Stars (USHL)
Ben Poitras Patrick Reilly
Musketeers 2022-Present Musketeers 2022-Present
Ben Poitras is another high scoring AAA player; he splits his last season between a triple A and high school; seventy-
two points in just fifty-three games. Missing just a single game this season Ben grabs fourteen goals this season, including
his first on September 3rd in a win over the Chicago Steel. he woill also add and additional twenty-three assists and finish as
the team’s sixth leading scorer. He is committed to play at Northeastern University (NCAA)
New Jersey native Patrick Reilly is another New Jersey Rockets Developemental player. Playing most of the last two seasons
with the Rockets U18 team, the Christian Brothers Acadamy and the Teir 1 Hockey Fedeation. This season with the Musketeers,
he did see time in a dozen regular season games and is expected to return next season bearing this league experience.
Dylan Godbout
Musketeers 2021-23
Dylan joins the Musketeers this season as a full-timer after playing a pair of Musketeer games the prior season. He also lead his
high school Hill-Murry (Minnesota) in scoring, racking up thirty goals and twenty-five assists in just thirty-one games.
Dylan Godbout finishes this rookie year playing a complete season; he never misses a game and finishes as a top four
team scorer. He records fourteen goals, including his first on October 22nd against the Sioux Falls Stampede, and
thirty-three assists. Dylan would also tally seven power play goals, a pair of game winners and a team leading sixteen
power play assists. He is currently a University of Wisconsin commitment.
Finn Loftus
Musketeers 2021-Present
This Minnesota high schooler would spend last season leading Blaine High School in scoring as a defenseman; recording
eleven goals and twenty-nine assists. He would also see time in a pair of Musketeer games last season as well.
Returning for a very busy season is Finn Loftus. The rookie sees time in all but one game this season and over the course of
sixty-one contests, he notches five goals, including his first on December 2nd against the Omaha Lancers and an additional pair
of game winners. He would also record seventeen assists finishing amung the team’s top ten scorers with twenty-two points
Tomi Leppanen
Musketeers 2021-23
Last season, the rookie from Finland recorded four goals and ten assists and added another play-off goal and assist during
the Clark Cup Championship season.
Tomi returns for a second season in Sioux City. The defensive d-man records another four goals and add six assists to his overall stats.
William Smith
Musketeers 2021-23
A rookie last season, Will saw time in twenty-four games recording four assists. He also logged time in all ten post-season
play-off games helping the Musketeers to a Chark Cup Championship.
Returning for a second season, Will sees time in seventeen games this season recording four assists. A mid-season trade
would have him finish the season with the Omaha Lancers (USHL). There he would find the back of the net three times;
including his first red-lighter on March 25th against the Waterloo Black Hawks, and would add nine more helpers to his
total USHL stats. He is currently committed to play at the University of Massachusetts.
Tyler Hotson
Musketeers 2022-23
Veteran Tyler Hotson joins the Musketeers early into his second USHL season. He spent the prior year playing
for the Muskegon Lumberjacks where he saw a time in sixty games and recorded seven goals and twenty assists.
Tyler would play an additional seventeen games; recording five goals and ten assists for the ‘Jacks before a trade
would make him a Musketeer.
The team’s second highest scorer tallyed a dozen red-lighters and added thirty-three assists in forty-four regular season
games. Tyler was also the top three penalty minutes leader with sixty-three minutes in the box. Thirty-two times, he
posted a minimum of point in a game and on a pair of occasions he recorded a three point night against the Fargo and
Lincoln. He is committed to play at RPI (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) next season.
6-Musketeers vs Waterloo Black Hawks-2
March 5th, 2023
Ryan Conmy Grant Slukynsky
Sioux City soundly defeats one of the west’s best teams in the Black Hawks. Thanks to a pair of multi-goal games from Ryan Conmy
and Grant Slukynsky, both players also added an assist to their stats and grabbed the first and Second Stars of the Game honors.
Defencemen Finn Loftus and Ty Hanson also record a pair of helper as did forward Dylan Godbout.
Cole Longacre Grayson Badger
Musketeers 2022-Present Musketeers 2022-Present
Another east coaster joing the team is Cole Longacre. Fresh off a pair of seasons palying for the AAA Windy City
Storm where he was a top four scorer with eleven goals and forty assists. The rookie would join the Musketeers and
see a busy schedule suiting-up for fifty contests. He would grab his fist red-lighter on February 4th against the Lincoln
stars and an additional five assists.
Another USHL rookie Grayson Badger joins the Musketeer late into the season after spending the majority of his
rookie season playing for the Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL). He would grab his first USHL point in his firsat game
and eventually his first USHL red-lighter on January 13th in a win over the Des Moines Buccaneers. Grayson would
record his first Musketeer goal on March 5th, in an ironic win over his old team mates. He is committed to play
at Northeastern College (NCAA) the following season.
Kevin Fitzgerald Max Strand
Musketeers 2022-Present Musketeers 2022-Present
Kevin Fitzgerald joins the Musketeers having spent the prior season playing for the New Jersey Rockets in the National
Collegiate Development Conference. He would log a busy rookie season grabbing time in fifty-four contests where he
would record five assists. This next season he will be playing at the University of Connecticut (NCAA).
Another rookie this season is Max Strand. Having logged a pair of prior seasons in the NAHL he arrives ready for
the rigors of the USHL. He sees time in sixty games; notching eight goals and a dozen assists. He wastes little
time recording his first Musketeer red-lighter on September 23rd against the Chicago Steel. He has committed
to play at the University of Vermont next season.
Did You Know…former Musketeer Akira Schmid would become the New Jersey Devils (NHL) third youngest goaltender
ever to play in the post season; the other two being Martian Brodeur and Sean Burke. He would help defeat the New York
Rangers in game one of the first round on April 22nd, 2023
Ty Hanson Easton Zueger
Musketeers 2022-Present Musketeers 2022-23
Direct from the from the hockey player factory in Hermantown, MN is Ty Hanson. He returns this season as a rookie
having tested the USHL waters on four occasions last season in Sioux City. Ty would see a busy first season, playing in
fifty-four games; recording four goals, including his first on November 11th in a win over the Sioux Falls Stampede,
and add twenty-one assists. He is expected to return next year as a seasoned veteran. Ty is currently slated to
play at the University of Minnesota/Duluth.
Returning for a second USHL season, Easton Zueger spent his rookie season playing for his hometown Sioux Falls
Stampede. Playing in fifty regular season games he would record seventy-seven minutes in penalties as well as notch
his first USHL points, including his first goal on December 28th against the Omaha Lancers. Easton quickly become
a Sioux City fan favorite, racking-up 146 penalty minutes and establishing himself as one of the league’s tough guys.
He also recorded five goals and four assists. He has committed to play for the US Army Military Acadamy next season.
3-Musketeers vs Omaha Lancers-2 SO
March 19th, 2023
This game marks a Musketeer match-up between the Omaha Lancers and a pair of prior season Clark Cup Championship
team mates; William Smith and Nick Pierre. Both players were instrumental in the Musketeers fourth championship
with both playing in all ten of the post-season championship games. Nick is best remembed for scoring the Championship
series-game five, over time winner against the Madison Capitols.
Axel Mangbo vs William Smith Grant Slukynsky vs Nick Pierre
Left: William Smith tries to beat his ol’ buddy, goaltender and fellow Clark Cup Champion on what is eventually, an
uncussessful wrap-around attempt. Right: Both veteran players and former team mates, Grant and Nick know that they will
have a long night keeping each other in check during tonight’s game.
Axel Mangbo vs Nick Pierre
Left: Nick offers up one last how-da-ya-do to his former goaltender, and fellow Clark Cup Champion, as the clock ticks
down in this tied game. The extra time produces no winner and the game goes to a shoot-out. Right: Axel is afforded the
chance at some pay-back, stopping Nick on this shoot-out tieing attempt. The Musketeers would go on to win after a pair
of red-lighters from Sam Deckhut and a shoot-out tally from Ben Doran.
Ethan Gardula Brain Nicholas
Musketeers 2022-present Musketeers 2021-Present
Crushing Academy top scorer Ethan Gardula records fifteen goals and a team leading thirty-three assists. After a full
season of thirty-two game season he would join the Musketeers for nine more late season USHL match-ups where
he grabs a pair of goals and three assists. His first tally is on March 17th in a win over the Tri-City Storm.
Brian Nicholas would test the USHL waters last season playing in four Musketeer contest and grabbing an assist against
the Sioux Falls Stampede. He was a top five scorer playing for the New Jersey Avalanche and was selected to play for
Team USA in the Four Nations Tournament. This season the rookie would return for thirty seven games; recording three
goals-including his first in a win over Sioux Falls on November 2nd.
Liam Hupka
Musketeers 2022-Present
Liam Hupka spends the season splitting time between Minnesota and Sioux City. While playing for Minnetonka High
he is a top ten scorer for the Skippers; recording four goals and fifteen assists. The top rated defenceman would then
join the Musketeers for the remaining fourteen games; recording a pair of assists along the way.
Ren Morque Sawyer Scholl
Musketeers 2022-Present Musketeers 2022-23 
2023 Frozen Four National Championship
Tampa Bay
April 6th – 8th 2023
Fifteen Musketeers alumni make an appearance in this season’s NCAA National Championship Tournament. A dozen players;
Randy Hernandez, Ethan Edwards, Dylan Graton, Dominic Vidoli, Christian Jimenez, Brian Carrabes, Shai Buium,
Ryan Sandelin, Brenden Olson, Alex Tracey, Micah Miller and Ryan Leibold. Representing past coaching staff members are
Luke Strand, Brett Olson and Todd Knott.
2023 BioSteel All-American / USHL All-Star Game
January 16th, 2023
Plymouth, MI
No Musketeer players are selected to play in the showcase game this season.
**********************************2023 USHL Play-Offs**********************************
The play-off format remains the same this season; top two teams in each division will get a bye. The remaining four teams
will play a three game miniseries, all on the home ice of the higher seeded team. However, the only change is the quarter-finals
will also be a three game series with all games at the higher seeds home rink. The remaining semi-finals and the final
match-ups will both be a traditional 2-2-1 series.
Western Conference Play-In
Musketeers vs. Tri-City Storm
April 24th, 25th & 26th if necessary.
The Musketeers finish in the fifth spot in the Western Conference and find themselves matched up against number four Tri-City. While
still the lower seed, the Musketeers like their chances having seccessfully defeated the League’s top teams on several occasions.
1-Musketeers vs. Storm-6
Game 1
The opening game finds the Musketeers playing catch-up hockey forty minutes into the game; having surrendered single
goals in the first and second periods. An early third period tally by Ryan Conmy makes it a one score and a potential
momentum shift. However, TC quickly counters twenty-five second later – and it’s all Storm from there. They tack on
three additional red-lighters before the final buzzer sounds giving them a convincing game one win.
4-Musketeers vs. Storm-5
Game 2
The pressue is squarely on the Musketeers in this do-or-die situation. Tri-City would strike first, but consecutive goals
by Kaden Shahan and Ben Poitras give the Musketeers a short-lived lead when TC ties the gameminutes later. The
second period is all TC, outshooting the Musketeers and grabbing a pair of goals to seeminly start to put the game out
of reach. However, a late goal by Ben Doran lifts the Musketeers spirits headed into the final period. Mid-period Grant
Slukynsky would then tie the game but TC would again quickly counter with the eventual game winner. The Musketeers
pull their goalie for two minutes but fail to get that much needed tieing goal ending any Clark Cup repeat dreams.
2022 World Junior A Challenge Tournament
December 11-18, 2022 / Cornwall, ONT
Team USA defeats Canada East by a score of 5-2. This marks the tournament’s fifteenth season and the ninth time that Team
USA has won the tournament championship. There are no Musketeer players selected to play this season.
Gold Medal: 2008, 09, 10, 12, 13, 14 16, 18 & 22 / Silver Medal: 2017 / Bronze Medal: 2007, 11, 15, & 19
2006: Inagural season/No medal – 2020 & 21: Canceled/Covid
2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup
August 1-6, 2023 / Břeclav, Czechia, and Trenčín, Slovakia
Past Musketeers Head Coach Luke Strand and Athletic Trainer Jacqui Gutierrez are selected to take part in this annual
U-18 tournament. Luke helps lead Team USA a 5-3 win over Finland and a third place finish in the annual gathering of
international teams. The U.S. Under-18 Men’s Select Team has won thetournament once and finished in second place
eight different times.
2023 NHL Draft
June 28th & 29th / Bridgeston Arena, Nashville, TN
Fifty-one USHL players are selected this season, the sixth consecutive year with fifty or more drafted players. Six players
were selected in the first round and another nine in the second. Musketeer leading scorer Ryan Conmy is selected in the
sixth round by the Los Angles Kings.
Musketeers News…
Luke Strand
…former Musketeer Head Coach and current Ohio State University Assistant Coach Luke Strand is named to the Head Coaching
position at the Minnesota (Mankato) State University. This previous season Luke helped lead the Buckeyes to the Frozen Four NCAA
Tournament Elite Eight.
Troy Ward
…General Manager Troy Ward steps down from his current position with the Musketeers joining the Minnesota (Mankato) State
University Mavericks hockey team as Accoiate Head Coach.
Colton St. Clair
…Associate Coach and Assistant General Manager Colton St. Clair steps down prior to the start of next season. He is picked
to fill the open Head Coaching position for the Minnesota Wilderness of the North American Hockey League.
2023 Hoby Baker Award
…Orginating in 1981, this award is presented annually to the most outstanding men’s college hockey player in the United
States. A pair of former Musketeers are nominated; Justin Hryckowian (2020-21) and Ben Steeves (2020-22).
2022 USHL Clark Cup Championship Rings
…Championship ring are delivered to the Musketeers players and staff. Several returning players are present. Players,
coaches, and staff are all presented these reminders of a truly amazing season.
Bobby Gassoff
…Former Musketeer player Bobby Gassoff is inducted into the St. Louis Amateur Hockey Hall of Fame on August 26th,
2023. Bobby logged a pair of seasons in Sioux City serving as Team Captain during both the1995-96 and 1996-97 campaigns.
He would go on play four seasons at the University of Michigan, winning a Nation Championship in 1998. He would also
go on to serve multiple military tours.
Season Notes:
The Musketeers finish with a 34-22-6-0 record; second place in the Western Conference.
All 16 USHL member teams play a full 62 game regular season schedule. This season includes the return of cross-conference play
last implemented prior to the shortened 2019-20 season.
The Dick’s Sporting Good Fall Classic returns for a seventh season and is held in Cranberry Township, PA. It will also kick-off the
regular season with all teams playing a pair of season-openers.
Eastern Conference: Chicago Steel, Dubuque Fighting Saints, Green Bay Gamblers, Madison Capitols, Muskegon Lumberjacks,
Team USA, Youngstown Phantoms, Waterloo Black Hawks
Western Conference: Des Moines Buccaneers, Dubuque Fighting Saints, Fargo Force, Lincoln Stars, Omaha Lancers,
Sioux Falls Stampede, Tri-City Storm, Sioux City Musketeers
Sean Clark is named the Musketeers new General Manager. Having spent the last six seasons entrenched in the organization
where he served as Director of Scouting and Director of Player Personnel. He is a USHL veteran having served three seasons
in the same position with Omaha and three prior season as the USHL’s Assistant Scouting director.
Musketeers hold their traditional Futures/Main camps on June 9th-18th at the IBP Ice Center. Several Musketeer allimni
have kids looking to carry on the family tradition including Bobby Gassoff, Eric Silverman and Jeff Auddino.
Musketeer Front Office Staff
Lloyd Ney Travis Morgan Ashley Long Connor Ryan Marnie Pierce
Owner & Partner CEO President Sales& Ticketing Operation Game Night Operation Office Manager
Longitime Owner and Executive President Lloyd Ney returns for another season as does Chief Operating Officer
Travis Morgan for his fourth season. They are looking both looking to recapture that recent Clark Cup Championship
success. Rachel Long takes over the vacated Director of Sales & Ticketing, she will also be managing all the game-
night operations duties. Connor Ryan is back for a second full season as the team’s Head of Digital Media and PR
operations. Office Manager Marne Pierce remains the face of the Musketeers handling all the front office
demands from ticketing, merchandise, promotions and business affairs.
Musketeer Coaching Staff
Jason Kersner Micheal Gershon Jackob Pritchard Callie Sitter Damon Wheeler
Head Coach Associate Coach Asst. Coach Athletic Trainer Equipment Manager
Shane Clifford-Goalie Coach Shawn Clark-GM Mike Berra-Player Development
Jason Kersner is back for a second season at the helm and is also looking to build on his first season’s USHL
successes. There are two new faces joining the coaching staff this season. Associate Head Coach Michael Gershon
joins the team having coached the last three seasons at Chatham University. He was also a past NAHL coach and IHL
and ECHL player. Assistant Coach Jacob Pritchard boasts an extensive playing career. Having spent multiple seasons
playing in the USHL, NCAA and the AHL and ECHL. New to the team this season is Athletic Trainer Callie Sitter and
back for a third season is Equipment Manager Damon Wheeler. Long-time coaching staff staple goalie coach
Shane Clifford returns again this season. Shawn Clark is named the new General Manager.
Between The Pipes
The Musketeers run through their fair share of net minders this season with a total of six different goalies seeing time
between the pipes this season. However by mid-season, the team would settel on a reliable duo in Samual Urban and
Dylan Silverstein who lead them to a second place Western Conference finish.
Samual tested the USHL waters last season logging four games while playing the last two seasons for the Slovakia U18 and
National teams. Dylan brings both Junior and collegient experience having played a pair of seasons for the USA Develoment
team and a season with Boston College.
Sanuel Urban Dylan Silverstein
Samuel Urban
Musketeers 2022-24
Joining the Musketeers for a limited tour last season, Samuel saw time in four Musketeer games, recording his first official
win over the Lincoln Stars on February 19th. He would finish last season with a 2.80 goals against average and a .918 save
percentage. He has multiple seasons experience playing for his nation’s AAA, Junior and International teams. He is one of
the league’s highly scouted goalies and is expected to make an impact among goaltenders league wide.
Samuel finished the regular season with a 16-16-2-0 regular season record. He would record a .893 save percentage,
a 3.19 goals against average and win both of his shoot-out games. Sam would record his first win on October 6th against
Waterloo and his first shut-out on April 7th stopping twenty-one shots in a win over Sioux Falls. He would play for the
Slovakian National Junior Team in 2024 World Juniors tournament and is currently committed to play at Arizona State
(NCAA) next season.
Dylan Silverstein
The California native joins the team mid-season. He brings both Junior and collegient experience having played a pair of
seasons for the USA Develoment Team (USHL) and a season with Boston College.
Taking on the back-up duties this season, Dylan sees time in twenty Musketeers contests and finishes with eleven
wins and six losses. He wastes no time grabbing his first USHL win; his first start on December 9th stopping all twenty-
four shots in an over-time victory against the Omaha Lancers. He would record a 3.09 goals against average and a .888
save percentage. Dylan saw time in two shoot-outs this season winning in both of them. He has committed to play at
a Quinnipiac College (NCAA) next season.
Jakub Krbecek
Musketeers 2023-Present
Jakub joins the Musketeers as a rookie after a prior season playing in the NAHL. The Philadelphia Rebels starter would
carry the mail for the team, seeing time in fifty-one contests; and finishing with twenty-five wins and twenty-three losses.
That prior season he would go twenty and nine during the regular season and help carry his team into the play-offs with
five wins and four losses playing in the Czech U20 League.
fair share of stars this season seeing time in thirty games finishing with a 12-12-1-3 record. He would
tally a pair of shut-outs this season including his first against the eventual league champions Fargo Force on October
28th, when he stopped all twenty three shots on goal. He woud record a 3.01 goals ast average and a .896 save percentage.
Ajay White
Ajay White joins the team on an interum basis having played earlier in the season for the Chippawa Steel in the North American league.
High Scorers
Kaden Shahan Brian Nicholas Max Strand Ethan Gardula Ty Hanson
Musketeers 22-24 Musketeers 2021-24 Musketeers 22-xx Musketeers 22-xx Musketeers 21-xx
Veterans populate the Musketeers high scorers list this season. Kaden Shahan and Brian Nicholas lead the way for
the Musketeers, recording fifty-seven total points. Kaden’s thirty-nine goals and Brian’s thirty-nine assists are both tops
among team scorers. Kaden is also the league’s top three goal scorer this season. Max Strand records fifteen goals,
thirty-six helpers for fifty-one points. Close on his heels are Ethan Gardula with forty-nine points, including twenty
goals and twenty-nine assists and Captain Ty Hanson with forty-seven points on ten goals and thirty-six assists.
Heavy Hitters
Owen Keef Liam Hupka Easton Jacobs Sam Court Landon Gunderson
Musketeers 23-XX Musketeers 22-XX Musketeers 23-XX Musketeers 23-XX Musketeers 23-XX
Sioux City is the third least peanlized team this season. However, leading the way is new Musketeer, but a three season USHL
veteran, Owen Keef with seventy-four penalty minutes. Vetran Liam Hupka is close at hand with seventy-three minutes.
Rookie Easton Jacobs records forty-nine minutes while another rookie Sam Court and another three season USHLveteran
Landon Gunderson both see thirty-eight minutes of shame-then getting free.
Colin Kessler
Musketeers 2022-Present
Last season the rookie would see time in sixty games recording five goals and ten assists. A quick start to the season saw
him grab six points in the first five games of the season; including two goals, his first on October 8th against Des Moines
and two games later his first game winner against Tri-City. He would also finish fourth with fifty-one penalty minutes. He
is committed to the University of Vermont (NCAA).
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Dylan Godbout
Musketeers 2021-Present
Last season Dylan logged time in all sixty-two regular season games. He would finish fourth among team scorers
recording fourteen goals, including his first on October 10th against the Sioux Falls Stamepde and add thirty-three assists.
Veteran Dylan Godbout returns for another season in Sioux City. Insert information here. Insert information here. Insert
information here. Insert information here. Insert information here. Insert information here. Insert information here. Insert
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Kaden Shahan
Musketeers 2022-Present
Kaden’s performance last season put a lot of attention on the rookie from Evertett, Washington. He wasted no
time recording his first USHL goals; his first on opening-night September 22nd against Green Bay and two more the
following night against Chicago. Fifty-five games later, he would tally twenty goals; including a pair of game winners,
five power play goals and three shorties and would also add eleven more assists.
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Brain Nicholas
Musketeers 2021-Present
Brian returns for his second full season in green & gold. He is fresh off a seven point season recording three goals and
four assists in thirty-four games. One of those red-lighters; is his first is on January 2nd in a win over Sioux Falls.
Returns for a third season. Top five scorer. No commitment yet.
Finn Loftus “A”
Musketeers 2021-Present
A top ten Musketeer scorer last season; Finn recorded five goals, including his first on December 2nd against Omaha
and add seventeen assists. He was a staple player missing just a single contes all season.
Returns for a third season. Team Alternate Captain. NCAA commitment UMass.
Martin Pospilsil
Musketeers 2017-19
Former Musketeer Martin Pospisil makes his NHL debut on November 4th in a win over the Seattle Kraken. He would
also grab his first NHL red-lighter in the first period; beating goaltender Philipp Grubauer to tie the game at one. Martin
played a pair of seaons in Sioux City where he was a two-time team High Scorer; finishing third his rookie season with
a team leading twenty-seven assists and the following season the Alternat Captain finished second again leading the way
with forty-seven helpers.
Ethan Gardula
Musketeers 2022-present
Crushing Academy top scorer Ethan Gardula records fifteen goals and a team leading thirty-three assists in thirty-two games.
He would join the Musketeers for nine late season USHL match-ups recording pair of goals and three assists. His first on
March 17th in a win over the Tri-City Storm.
The second year rookie forward returns this season.
Pink in the Rink Cancer Night
October 21st, 2023
7-Musketeers vs. Lincoln Stars-1
Seven different Musketeers score in this romp over the Lincoln Stars. Dylan Godbout, Max Strand, Ethan Gardula and
Ty Hanson all collect a goal and two assists and Hagen Burrows grabs three assists. Goaltender Samuel Urban stops nineteen
Lincoln shots for this fifth win of the young season.
Did You Know…Former Musketeer Bobby Brink would record his first two NHL goals this season on October 26th, 2023
against the Minnesota Wild. The second goal is the eventual game winner-also the first of his career.
Max Strand
Musketeers 2022-Present
Already a junior hockey veteran, Max’s first USHL season saw the Musketeer rookie play in sixty games; notching
eight goals, including his first against the Chicago Steel and a game-winner against the Omaha Lancers. He would also
record a dozen assists. He has committed to play at the University of Vermont (NCAA) following this next season.
Insert this rookie season stats and information here. Insert this rookie season stats and information here. Insert
this rookie season stats and information here. Insert this rookie season stats and information here. Insert
this rookie season stats and information here. Insert this rookie season stats and information here. Insert this rookie.
Hagen Burrows Gavin Gerry
Musketeers 2023-Present Musketeers 2023-Present
New comers Hagen Burrows and Gavin Gerry are a one-two punch from Minnesota. They are former teammates and
two-time high scorers from Minnetonka High School and have also teamed up playing other state All-Star and AAA teams.
Hagen would lead the Skippers last season with fifty points and Gavin would finish second with forty-six.
Hagen Burrows Insert this rookie season stats and information here. Sixteen points in his firts seventeen games, including six
goals and ten assists. Insert this rookie season stats and information here. Insert this rookie season stats and information here.
Insert this rookie season stats and information here. Gavin Gerry Insert
this rookie season stats and information here. Insert this rookie season stats and information here. Insert this rookie season
stats and information here.
Did You know…Hagen received the Mr. Hockey award Sunday by the Minnesota Sports Alliance. He helped the Minnetonka
Skippers to a State Title in 2023 and led the on a forty-seven game winning streak over the last three seasons.
Giacomo Martino Easton Jacobs
Musketeers 2023-Present Musketeers 2023-Present
Giacomo Martino spent the last two seasons playing for the St. Michael’s Buzzers where he was a two-time top scorer
including leading the team with both thirty-three goals and thirty-five assists. Another rookie this season he would grab
his first tally on October 14th in a win over the US National Development team. Insert additional season information
here. Insert additional seasoninformation here. Insert additional season information here.
Easton Jacobs joins the team having spent the prior season as the Little Cear’s U16 second leading scorer with twenty-six
goals and fifty-nine points. Insert this rookie season stats and information here. Insert this rookie season stats and information
here. Insert this rookie season stats and information here.
Military Appreciation Night
November 11th, 2023
2-Musketeers vs. Fargo Force-5
Fargo jumps all over the Musketeers grabbing a four goals lead by the middle of the third. Kaden Shahan and Sam Court
get the team on the board but the momentun shift is countered a minute later on a Fargo red-lighter. This season’s proceeds
from the jersey auctionand other game income and donations will go to the Siouxland Freedom Park and Midwest
Honor Flights organizations.
Joesph Mense Sam Court
Musketeers 2023-Present Musketeers 2023-Present
Helping shore-up this season’s defensive corps is Joseph Mense. He would spend the last three seasons in the Boston
Bruins AAA U16/18 programs. Insert this rookie season stats and information here. Insert this rookie season stats and
information here. Insert this rookie season stats and information here.
Prior to this season, Sam Court is a top three scorer for the Brooks Bandits (AJHL) recording thirteen goals and a team
leading fifty-nine assists. This season the rookie would waste little time recording his first red-lighter in just his second
outing against the Green Bay Gamblers on September 22nd. Insert additional season information here. Insert additional
season information here. Insert additional season information here.
Ty Hanson “C”
Last season Ty would see a busy rookie season, playing in fifty-four games; recording four goals, including his first on
November 11th over the Sioux Falls Stampede, and add twenty-one assists. He has committed to play his post-USHL
hockey at the University of Minnesota/Duluth.
Ty finishes his third season playing in fifty-nine games this season. The three-season veteran and team captain would pot ten
goals and thirty-seven assists, his forty-seven points is fifth amoung all team scorers.
Most Assists by a Defenceman (Season)
Playing in fifty-nine regular season games, Ty Hanson notches thirty-seven assists, leading all other USHL defenceman. He would record
a dozen multi-point outings this season and get in the book in another seventeen contests with a single helper.
Musketeers “Ring Of Honor”
On February 24th, 2024 the Musketeers honored the first three inductees into the team’s newly established “Ring of Honor.”
The Musketeers began playing in the professional USHL Sr. league in 1972 and in 1979 it transitioned into the Jr. A league we
all know today. Every year, three new inductees will be selected and added to the banner hanging in the Tyson Even Center.
The inductees included Gary Lipshutz, who founded the team in 1972, Jim Peck, an all-star defenseman and 3-time USHL
Defenceman of the Year in the mid 1970s, and Scott Shofstall, who won the USHL MVP award in 1985 and led the
Musketeers’1986 national championship team.
Makaio Van Tassel Cole Tuminaro
Musketeers 2023-Present Musketeers 2023-Present
A pair of youngsters crack the Musketeer line-up this season. Makaio Van Tassel joins the squad with a pair of seasons
playing triple AAA U16 hockey for Honeybaked and Shattuck St. Mary’s. He would play in forty-trwo contests this season,
recording a pair of goals and five assists. He would notch his first tally on October 28th against the Chicago steel.
Cole Tuminaro joins the team with prior experience playing for the Oakland Grizzlies (U16) where he was a top four scorer
and team Captain. He would finish the season playing in forty-two games, grabbing a goal and five assists. His first red-
lighter coming on February 10th over the Sioux Falls Stampede.
Liam Hupka
Musketeers 2022-Present
Liam returns for a second season in Sioux City. Having spent the prior season, first playing high school for the
Minnetonka Skippers where the defenceman was a top ten team scorer. He would then see time in fourteen Musketeer
contests recording a pair of assists.
Back for a second seasonson. First goal Insert info here. Insert info here.Insert info here.Insert info here. Insert info here.
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Justin Stupka Trey Jefferis
Musketeers 2023-Present Musketeers 202X-XX
USHL veteran Justin Stupka makes the Great Escape from Omaha and joins the Musketeers for the second half of the season.
Having played the prior full season for the Lancers. Insert this season information hers. Insert this season Information here.
Second Player info here. Insert this season information here. Insert this season Information here. Insert this season information
hers. Insert this season Information here. Insert this season information hers. Insert this season Information here.
On March 24th, 2024 the Musketeers would lose a special friend in Ronald Vedin. “Dino” was along time Musketeer fan and
fan favorite driving the zamboni for twenty-three seasons in both the old Sioux City Auditorium and the new Tyson Event Center.
He was the USHL’s orginal sharp dressed man; donnig a formal black and white (or green or pink) tuxedo while resurfacing
the ice to his own theme song Iron Man.
Kevin Fitzgerald
Musketeers 2022-Present
Kevin’s prior season with the Musketeers saw the rookie defenseman log a busy schedule; seeing time in fifty-four games and
recording five assists. He has committed to play at the University of Connecticut (NCAA) following his USHL career.
Insert this season information hers. Insert this season Information here. Insert this season information hers. Insert this
season Information here. Insert this season information hers. Insert this season Information here. Insert this season
information hers. Insert this season Information here.
Owen Keef Tate Prichard
Musketeers 2023-Present Musketeers 2023-Present
Insert this season information hers. Insert this season Information here. Insert this season information hers. Insert this
season Information here. Insert this season information hers. Insert this season Information here. Insert this season
information hers. Insert this season Information here.
2024 Frozen Four National Championship
Excel Energy Center / St. Paul, MN
April 11th – 13th 2024
Four Musketeer alumni make an appearance in this season’s NCAA National Championship Tournament. Garrett Brown
and Shia Buium from Shai Buium of the Denver Pioeneers, Jamie Armstrong from Boston College, Doug Grimes from
Boston University and Ethan Edwards of the Michigan Wolverines.
World Junior Challenge
December 10th-17th / Truno, Nova Scotia
Since the WJC tournament inaugural season in 2006, Team USA has captured the tournament crown nine times. The
defending tournament champs would fall to Canada-West in overtime in the semi-finals, however they would rebound
with a win over Sweden for athird place finish. Musketeer Kaden Shahan grabs four points in the torunament; a pair
of goals against Sweden & Canada-West and two assists.
2023 Chipolte All-American / USHL All-Star Game
January 15th, 2023 / Plymouth, MI
Musketeers Ethan Gardula and Kaden Shahan are selected to the USA Hockey Chipotle All-American Game.
These two cleverly crafted named teams are made up of USHL All-Stars and NHL prospects, skated to a 5-4
descision as Team White defeates Team Blue.
**********************************2024 USHL Play-Offs**********************************
This season’s play-off format is changed to better reflect a true post-season play-off format. Like last year, the top two teams in
each division will get a bye, while the remaining four teams will play a three game miniseries. These are held on the home ice of
the higher seeded team and will be played on three consecutive days. All match-ups after this, Conference Semis, Conference
Finals and Clark Cup Finals will be the familiar best of five series and will held in a traditional 2-2-1 series when possible.
Sioux City finishes the season in second place in the Western Conference, beating Waterloo by a single point on the last game
of the season. They finish with a 34-26-6-0 record and receive a first-round bye and will take on the winner of the Waterloo
vs Lincoln mini-series.
Western Conference Quarter Finals
Musketeers vs. Lincoln Stars 
April 19th, 20th & 22nd / 23rd & 25th if necessary.
After a first round play-off bye, the Musketeers travel to Lincoln for the opening two games of the quarter finals. The sixth
place Stars are fresh off a pair of upset wins over the third seeded Waterloo Black Hawks. The teams meet-up having split the
regular season series three game each, however, the Musketeers did hang a pair of convincing seven goal victories on the Stars.
3-Musketeers vs. Lincoln Stars-2
Game 1
After a scoreless first period, the Musketeers get second stanza goals from Gavin Gerry, Colby Saganiuk and Finn Loftus.
The final period is mostly Musketeers, however, the Stars pull their goalie hoping to mount a late game comeback. Somewhat
successful, they do grab a pair of tallies in the final minutes, but fail to get the equalizer. Samuel Urban stopes twenty-six
attempts for the opening game victory.
3-Musketeers vs. Lincoln Stars-1
Game 2
Back to the Ice Box for a second night-the Musketeers again put up three goals on the Stars. Kaden Shahan would get
the guys in the board with a first period goal and Hagen Burrows and Ty Hanson record red-lighters in the second. The
third period is a draw, however, the Stars increase their offence but Samuel Urban stays almost perfect stopping
thirty attempts. Brian Nicholas would grab a pair of assists.
3-Musketeers vs. Lincoln Stars-2 OT
Game 3
The Musketeers return home looking to complete the series sweep and the Stars looking to stay alive for another game.
The Musketeers jump out to a two goal lead on first period tally from Giacoma Martino and a second period goal from
Ethan Gardula. However, a defensive lapse puts the Stars back in the game scoring twice in less than a minute to even-
up the game after two. There is no scoring in the third, despite the Musketeers fifteen shots on goal. With just over three
minutes of bonus hockey elapsed, Ty Hanson intercepts an errant pass and finds the back of the net, sending the
Musketeers to the Western Conference final.
Western Conference Semi Finals
Musketeers vs. Fargo Force
April 28th, 29th & May 2nd / 3rd & 5th if necessary.
Sioux City gears-up to take on arguably the best team the League has seen in many seasons. The Fargo Force lose just a
dozen games; finishing with regular season with an unprecedented 102 regular season points. Their starting goaltender is
tops in wins, save percentage, goals against average and leads the league with five shut-outs. That Fargo duo would post
eight total shut-outs. They have three players who are top ten scorers in goals and assists.
1-Musketeers vs. Fargo Force-3
Game 1
The underdog Musketeers strike first, on a goal from Owen Keef. However, the home team retaliates minutes later
and ties the game after the first. Sioux City would fall victim to two soft goals; the game-winner a border line high
stick and a bad bounce of the glass, would prove the needed points for the game one victory. Samuel Urban would
see a ton of shots, stopping all but three of the Fargo’s thirty-five attempts.
4-Musketeers vs. Fargo Force-1
Game 2
After a scoreless first period, it’s the Musketeers getting on the board first with a Hagen Burrows red-lighter.
But like last night, the home team responds and the game is knotted-up after two. However, a laserbeam of a
shot from Kaden Shahan finds the top corner, giving the Musketeers the lead with seven very long minutes
remaining. Sioux City is able to apply pressure as the clock ticks down for the Force and feeling the urgency
they pull their goalie for the sixth attacker. With just over a minute remaining Colin Kessler seals the deal
scoring a pair of empty netters for the victory. Samuel Urban would grab an assist on the second Kessler
goal and stop thirty-three shots on goal to even the series.
5-Musketeers vs. Fargo Force-2
Game 3
The friendly confines of the Tyson Event Center do not disappoint. The first period saw the home team muster just three
shots on goal, however quality over quantity prevails when Colin Kessler finds the back of the net to tie the game after
the first. As the middle period begins, everyone can sence the home-town momentum starting to build and by the time the
period ends Ethan Gardula, Kaden Shahan and Giacomo Matrino have all beat the league’s best goaltender. The final
period sees the Force shift into high gear and the league’s most proficient offence needs results quickly. Eventually they get a
power play goal and cut the lead to two, but with time running out they pull the goaltender and over-play their top line. With
a few minutes remaining, the Fargo offence is gassed and shortly later Kaden Shahan outskates the defense and taps in the
empty netter for his second of the night. Colin Kessler had a three point night and Samuel Urban stopped twenty-four shots.
0-Musketeers vs. Fargo Force-5
Game 4
After hanging a pair of convincing wins on the league’s best team, Sioux City looked poised for the upset; the momentume was
all green and gold and the Tyson was packed with fans thirsty for another upset. However, as soon as the puck dropped things
quickly went downhill for the Musketeers; surrendering a goal just thirteen seconds into the game, the Force never looked back.
The best goalie in the league was in the zone tinight and stopped everything the Musketeers could muster, tying the series and
sending it back to Fargo for the winner take all game.
0-Musketeers vs. Fargo Force-4
Game 5
2023 World Junior A Challenge Tournament
December 10-17, 2023 / Truno, Nova Scotia, Canada
This marks the sixteenth season of the annual tournament. Team USA defeats Sweden by a score of 8-5, capturing the
tornament’s third place finish. This is the fifthteenth consecutive time that the US Team has earned a medal, and only the
fifth time they haven’t won the tournament. Kaden Shahan was the only Muskeree selected to play in the tournament.
He would record a pair of goals and four assists.
Gold Medal: 2008, 09, 10, 12, 13, 14 16, 18 & 22 / Silver Medal: 2017 / Bronze Medal: 2007, 11, 15, 19 & 23
2006: Inagural season/No medal – 2020 & 21: Canceled/Covid
2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup
August 5th-10th, 2023 / Rogers Arena / Edmonton, Canada
Not much information on this season’s tournament. Defenceman Owen Keef (Muskegone/Sioux City) was the only Musketeer
player for Team USA
2024 NHL Draft
June 28th & 29th / Las Vegas, NV
Scheduled for June 28th & 29th and will be held at the Sphere in Las Vegas, NV. Fifty-seven USHL players are selected this season;
this is the fifth consecutive year with fifty or more drafted players and the eleventh year of forty or more drafted players.
Musketeers Dylan James (Round 2 / Detroit Red Wings) Garett Brown (Round 4 / Winnipeg Jets) and prior season Joel Matta
(Round 7 / Edmonton Oilers) are all selected in this season draft.
Musketeers News…
2024 Hoby Baker Award
…Orginating in 1981, this award is presented annually to the most outstanding men’s college hockey player in the
United States. Four former Musketeers are nominated; Ben Kraws (2017-19), Justin Hryckowian (2020-21),
Ben Steeves (2020-22) and Ryan Conmy (2022-23).
Future NHLers
…past Musketeer Ben Kraws, Justin Hryckowian and Ben Steeves all sign NHL entry level contracts this season. Ben and Justin
with the Dallas Stars and Ben with the Florida Panthers.
Musketeers Ring of Honor
…on February 24th, 2024 the Musketeers honored the first three inductees into the team’s newly established “Ring of Honor”
Players Jim Peck and Scott Shoffstall and orginal owner Gary Lipschutz.
