General Game Notes: Sioux City vs Sioux Falls. USHL action on December 5th, 2023. A rare Tuesday evening game saw the away team (Sioux City Musketeers) steal all points as a balanced attack led the way, securing a 5-3 victory.
| Samuel Urban | Sioux City Musketeers | USHL | L | G | 6’0″ | 210 | Arizona State | 2024 | Puchov, SVK | 2005 | 2023-2024: C 2022-2023: C |
Game Grade: B-
Urban stopped 28 of 31 shots on goal with 11 of those shots coming from within the house. Although the third goal against came on a point shot from just outside the house and through a very good screen, all three goals occurred while Urban was moving from his right to his left.
Comments: Urban played a solid game, making the saves he was supposed to make. Made the first stop by being square to the shooters and challenging them on the top of his crease. Used his hands to catch pucks and control his rebounds as he tracked them accordingly. Played the puck superbly as he acted as a third defenseman at times, breaking his teammates out of his own end. An underrated skill that created less zone time for his team.
| Ty Hanson | Sioux City Musketeers | USHL | R | D | 5’9″ | 182 | Minnesota Duluth | 2024 | Hermantown, MN | 2005 | 2023-2024: C 2022-2023: C |
Game Grade: A
Hanson played a team high 24:08 including 3:28 on the power play and tied for a team high 5:04 while shorthanded. He finished the game +1 with 1 goal, 2 assists, 1 shot, 1 grade “A” opportunity, 2 hits, received 1 hit, had 1 shot blocked, 4 giveaways and a team high 8 takeaways.
Comments: Hanson brings a lot to the table both defensively and offensively. First, in the defensive zone, isn’t the biggest body, but plays on the edge, reads plays well and defends accordingly. Wants to play with the puck, therefore owns good puck retrievals by shoulder checking, moving his feet, and collecting pucks below his own goal-line. Makes a good first pass and immediately jumps into the rush to play offense. By doing so, he gives his team a second wave of offense and has the ability to catch and release pucks off the rush. Additionally, on the PP, quarterbacks it by playing up top, having a calm presence and not forcing plays. He maintains possession, makes simple 5-8 foot passes, moves into shooting positions where he can catch and release pucks on net, or take one-timers. Owns a heavy shot and can let it fly from the blue line.
| Ethan Gardula | Sioux City Musketeers | USHL | L | LW | 6’1″ | 188 | Connecticut | 2024 | Princeton, MA | 2005 | 2023-2024: B- |
Game Grade: A-
Gardula played 17:59 in total ice time including 3:19 on the power play. He did not kill penalties. He finished +1 with 1 goal, 1 assist, 1 shot, 1 grade “A” opportunity, 2 PIMs, 2 hits, 8 giveaways and 6 takeaways.
Comments: Gardula has a lot of talent and can make high end plays. Was excellent on the low spot, goal-line area on the PP, where he showed good puck poise, despite being pressured. Had the ability to catch pucks on the goal line, have his head up, avoid stick checks and make plays accordingly. A good example of a duel threat player offensively due to his ability to pass and shoot the puck. Owns a good set of hands and a smooth skating stride. He was able to display them on the second goal scored for the Musketeers. He got in alone on a breakaway and quickly pulled the puck forehand, backhand making no mistake, roofing the puck upstairs over the goaltenders shoulder.
| Finn Loftus | Sioux City Musketeers | USHL | L | D | 5’11” | 187 | UMass Amherst | 2025 | Blaine, MN | 2004 | 2021-2022: C |
Game Grade: B-
Loftus played 22:41 in total ice time including 3:30 on the power play and tied for a team high 5:04 while shorthanded. He finished +1 with 1 assist, had 1 shot blocked, 6 giveaways and 7 takeaways.
Comments: Loftus was aggressive in the defensive zone, being decisive on puck battles and going ‘all in’ on 50/50 pucks. Used his skating ability to get to pucks first and read plays well enough to see where the pressure was coming from so he could make his play accordingly.
| Colin Kessler | Sioux City Musketeers | USHL | L | LW | 6’0″ | 184 | Vermont | 2024 | Anchorage, AK | 2004 | 2021-2022: C |
Game Grade: B
Kessler played 15:13 in total ice time including 4:15 while shorthanded. He did not play on the power play. He finished even with 1 goal, 2 shots, 2 grade “A” opportunities, 8/12 on face-offs, 7 giveaways and 3 takeaways.
Comments: Kessler has high-end speed and loves to attack his opponents off the rush. If he is able to catch pucks in stride, it is hard for defenders to maintain their gap on him, which allows him to drive wide and attack the net freely. Scored the first goal of the game by catching a puck in the neutral zone, making a nifty move at the blue line, driving wide, and attacking the net, making no mistake on his partial breakaway. When using his speed and having that confidence / attack mentality, he is a dangerous player. Needs to consistently do so.
| Giacomo Martino | Sioux City Musketeers | USHL | L | LW | 5’10” | 181 | Northeastern | 2024 | Toronto, ON | 2005 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B+
Martino played 19:33 in total ice time including 2:18 on the power play and 0:05 while shorthanded. He finished even with 1 goal, 1 shot, 1 grade “A” opportunity, 6 giveaways and 1 takeaway.
Comments: Martino was all over the offensive zone, creating plenty of chances for himself and his linemates. Owns a bullet of a shot that he can get off in a hurry and when he does, if it doesn’t go in the net, it creates second chance opportunities. Filled holes in the OZ, sneaking in behind his opponents to catch and release pucks. Scored the fourth goal of the game, which was the eventual game winning goal by going to the net in a scramble situation, collecting a loose puck and with a flick of a wrist, ripping a shot top shelf over the goaltenders shoulder.
| Sam Court | Sioux City Musketeers | USHL | R | D | 5’10” | 180 | Arizona State | 2024 | Winnipeg, MB | 2004 | 2022-2023: C |
Game Grade: B-
Court played 11:54 in total ice time including 2:06 while on the power play. He did not kill penalties. He finished +1 with 0 points, 3 shots, 2 PIMs, received 1 hit, had 2 shots blocked, 4 giveaways and 5 takeaways.
Comments: Court is a right shot defenseman who can create offense with his heavy shot. Can get into shooting positions in the offensive zone by moving his feet, finding gaps and getting shots through to the net. Can play at both ends of the ice as he’s solid defensively too, breaking up plays with an active stick and moving pucks back up the ice.
| Gennadi Chaly | Sioux Falls Stampede | USHL | R | D | 5’10” | 205 | Vermont | 2024 | Salekhard, RUS | 2005 | 2022-2023: C |
Game Grade: B+
Chaly played a team high 22:47 in total ice time including 4:45 on the power play and 1:42 while shorthanded. He finished -1 with 1 goal, 3 shots, 1 grade “A” opportunity, had 1 shot blocked, 6 giveaways and tied for the game high with 10 takeaways.
Comments: Chalyi is a solid, sturdy defender who has good strength and doesn’t get knocked off pucks easily. Despite having an unorthodox style at times, he can move well with and without the puck, utilizing great edge work to separate himself from his opponents. Was able to collect pucks 5 on 5, or on the PP in the offensive zone and walk the blue line, opening up his hips and finding shot lanes. To go with his good edge work, he has confidence in his puck handling and can control the puck, despite being pressured.
| Kazimier Sobieski | Sioux Falls Stampede | USHL | R | D | 6’0″ | 184 | UMass Amherst | 2024 | Deerfield, MA | 2004 | 2021-2022: C |
Game Grade: B
Sobieski played 22:03 in total ice time including 5:56 on the power play and 0:47 while shorthanded. He finished -2 with 0 points, 3 shots, 1 hit, had 2 shots blocked, 5 giveaways and 9 takeaways.
Comments: Sobieski is a right shot defender who plays well at both ends of the ice. Not necessarily the most defensive minded defenseman, but owns good skating and limits his time in the defensive zone by collecting pucks and moving them up the ice. Additionally, in the offensive zone, has a shoot first mentality. Catches puck on the blue line and immediately looks to get quick shots to the net with traffic in front. Owns a quick release and finds the shooting lane often.
| J.J. Wiebusch | Sioux Falls Stampede | USHL | R | C | 6’0″ | 168 | Merrimack | 2024 | River Falls, WI | 2004 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B-
Wiebusch played 22:19 in total ice time including 6:15 on the power play and 0:23 shorthanded. He finished even with 2 assists, 3 shots, 4 grade “A” opportunities, 9/17 on face-offs, received 1 hit, had 4 shots blocked, 2 giveaways and 4 takeaways.
Comments: Wiebusch owns a lot of skill and can attack in 1 on 1 situations to create offensive opportunities. Although, at times successful, he did turnover the pucks trying a little to much at times, leading to lack of possession in the OZ. Despite this, he still had the ability to use his speed on the outside and get pucks to the net area where his teammates were for second chance opportunities.
| Will McDonough | Sioux Falls Stampede | USHL | R | RW | 6’2″ | 191 | Harvard | 2024 | Duxbury, MA | 2005 | 2022-2023: C+ |
Game Grade: B+
McDonough played 16:53 in total ice time including 6:20 on the power play. He did not kill penalties. He finished -2 with 1 assist, 1 shot, 3 grade “A” opportunities, 14 PIMs, received 1 hit, had 1 shot blocked, 4 give aways and 0 takeaways.
Comments: McDonough took a 2 and a 10 minute penalty in the game, but despite that, he was effective in both zones. Uses his long reach to poke at loose pucks in the defensive zone, allowing him to re-gain possession and start the transition plays going the other way. Offensively, he is a smooth skater who can use his speed wide, hold the puck out in front of him (to avoid checks) and attack the net. Can distribute the puck, but also shoot it and has a sling-shot of a release with a longer stick.
| Aleksandr Rybakov | Sioux Falls Stampede | USHL | L | D | 6’2″ | 195 | Chelabinski, RUS | 2005 | 2023-2024: C |
Game Grade: C+
Rybakov played 20:56 in total ice time including 2:04 on the power play and 1:42 shorthanded. He finished -1 with 0 points, 1 hit, 6 giveaways and 9 takeaways.
Comments: Rybakov was a physical presence on the back-end, engaging in wall-battles and net front scrambles. Used his size and strength to get early box outs in the net front area and was hard to gain any free ice. Smothered his opponents, especially along the walls, doing what it took to win 50/50 battles.
| Tyler Borgula | Sioux Falls Stampede | USHL | R | RW | 5’9″ | 164 | Quinnipiac | 2024 | Livonia, MI | 2005 | 2023-2024: C |
Game Grade: B+
Borgula played 14:06 in total ice time including 1:36 on the power play. He did not kill penalties. He finished even with 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 shots, 2 grade “A” opportunities, 1 hit, received 1 hit, 9 giveaways and 6 takeaways.
Comments: Borgula does a lot of little things right and is the type of player you want on your team. Not the biggest forward, but plays hard and will go to the dirty areas to win puck battles and maintain possession. Goes to the net hard and with a purpose, meaning he will take a punishment to get there. Owns a good skill-set and can make plays in tight, shifting his body and hands to avoid checks and get shots towards the goal. Stops on pucks in the defensive zone and will kill plays with an active stick (and moving his feet).
| John McNelis | Sioux Falls Stampede | USHL | L | LW | 5’9″ | 157 | Boston University | 2025 | Potomac, MD | 2006 | 2023-2024: C |
Game Grade: A-
McNelis played 19:47 in total ice time including 6:09 on the power play and 0:25 shorthanded. He finished -1 with 1 goal, 1 assist, 4 shots, 3 grade “A” opportunities, 1/1 on face-offs, had 1 shot blocked, 3 giveaways and 2 takeaways.
Comments: McNelis, despite being on the smaller side has excellent puck protection skills. Collects pucks along the walls, puts them into his feet and spins off checks to come out on the other side, with more time and space. All night, he was able to avoid checks with quick foot-work and stick-handling, allowing him to eventually get to scoring areas. His hands, just like on the walls were on full display in tight areas, including the front of the net. Could get around opponents, get to the net area and get grade A scoring chances.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images