Team West defeated Team East 2-1 in last night’s NHL/USHL Top Prospects Game at LC Walker Arena in Muskegon, Michigan. The game features the top 40 NHL draft eligible prospects from the United States Hockey League based on input from 16 USHL general managers, NHL Central Scouting, and NHL scouts. The USHL’s premiere event is heavily scouted by NHL scouts and front office personnel.
Team East featured the following three players from Chicago’s own USHL franchise the Chicago Steel: Christian Heil (F), Thomas Ebbing (F), and Alex Sakellaropoulos (G).
The 6’1”, 180 pound Christian Heil was the only Steel skater to get on the score sheet, when he was credited with an assist on Team East’s lone goal with 4:52 to play in the final period. Heil, who has committed to Colorado College, has 20 points (16 goals, 4 assists) in 27 games this season with the Steel.
The 5’11’, 165 pound Thomas Ebbing, who is currently the #100 ranked North American skater according to NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings, managed two shots in the game, but was unable get one past Team West’s goaltending tandem of Eamon McAdam (Penn State University) and Cal Petersen (University of Notre Dame). Ebbing has 18 points (10 goals, 8 assists) in 32 games this season with the Steel.
Steel Goalie Alex Sakellaropoulos, who was added to Team East’s roster this past Monday to replace an injured Arthur Brey of the Dubuque Fighting Saints, made the most of his opportunity, stopping all nine shots he faced in 30 minutes of action. Sakellaropoulos is 13-12-2 with a GAA average of 3.27 and a save percentage of .908 in 30 games with the Steel this season.
Team West’s goals were scored by Sioux City’s Conor McGlynn and Tri-City’s Jason Cotton.
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the USHL celebrates its 11th season as the nation's only Tier I junior hockey league in 2012-13. With 20 NHL Draft picks on team rosters and over 250 players already committed to NCAA Division I schools this season, the USHL has emerged as the world’s foremost producer of junior hockey talent. For more information, visit them on the web at www.USHL.com.
Chris Paxhia covers hockey in Chicago for examiner.com. You can follow him on Twitter at: @ChrisPaxhia25 or contact him at cpaxhia@yahoo.com.
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