Game played 12/27/2024.
General Game Notes: December 27, 2024 – USHL action between Sioux Falls Stampede and the Sioux City Musketeers. It was the Stampede getting off to an early start, scoring three straight goals. Despite a valiant effort, the Musketeers were unable to comeback as they ran out of time, with a final score of 3-2 in favor of Sioux Falls.
Bjorn Bronas (G, L, 6’1″, 190, Sioux City Musketeers, 02/25/2007, Minnesota State)
Grade: B-
Comments: Bronas’ work ethic and competitive spirit stood out in the game, as he battled on loose pucks and never quit on any play. Despite his team ultimately losing, he made numerous crucial saves, particularly in tight situations, tracking the puck through traffic and battling on second-chance opportunities. His ability to follow the puck, even stretching his body when needed, kept his team in the game and prevented the score from getting out of hand (even though goals 1/2 weren’t overly great ones). With his quickness and high intensity, Bronas was always prepared for whatever came his way. He effectively challenged shooters, staying aggressive while limiting rebound chances and maintaining strong positioning.
Drake Murray (D, R, 6’1″, 200, Sioux City Musketeers, 03/29/2006, Harvard)
Grade: B-
Comments: Murray is a reliable two-way defenseman who excels at the subtle details that make a big impact in the defensive zone. He avoids the common mistake of fly-bys, instead stopping on loose pucks and using his physicality and active stick to challenge opponents and win battles. Murray’s defensive presence is complemented by his ability to contribute offensively. He assisted on the first goal of the game with a quick, well-placed wrist shot that was tipped in front, showcasing his awareness and willingness to get pucks on net. His strong, steady play at both ends of the ice makes him a valuable asset on the back end.
Justin Stupka (C, R, 6’2″, 215, Sioux City Musketeers, 03/01/2005, Miami (Ohio))
Grade: B
Comments: Stupka was a dominant force in front of the net during offensive zone play, and his efforts were rewarded with an assist on the first goal of the game. After filtering into the high slot, he skillfully avoided being boxed out and got his stick on a high shot, tipping it past the goaltender and into the net. Using his large frame to his advantage, Stupka consistently gets ‘inside’ the game, leaning on defenders and making it difficult for both the defense and goaltender to clear him from the crease.
Gavin Garry (D, L, 6’2″, 205, Sioux City Musketeers, 06/07/2005, St. Thomas)
Grade: B-
Comments: Garry is a tenacious forechecker who consistently finishes his checks, making life difficult for opposing defenders. While not every check leads directly to a turnover, his physical play gradually wears down opponents over the course of the game. His active stick is a key asset, disrupting passes and creating turnovers, and he’s always engaged, whether in the offensive or defensive zone. Sturdy on his skates, Garry excels at playing a physical, hard-nosed game, using his strength and positioning to win battles along the boards and force opponents into mistakes.
Luke Garry (C, L, 5’11”, 165, Sioux City Musketeers, 06/07/2005, St. Thomas)
Grade: B-
Comments: Luke Garry, much like his brother, plays a hard-nosed, physical game and isn’t afraid to lay the body when the opportunity arises. He brings an element of physicality that energizes his team, creating momentum with his assertive play. Garry is good at making simple, effective chip plays, whether it’s advancing the puck to himself or setting up his teammates. He doesn’t try to overcomplicate things, sticking to the basics and executing them well.
Anthony Allain-Samake (D, L, 6’1″, 178, Sioux City Musketeers, 09/10/2007, Connecticut)
Grade: B
Comments: Allain-Samake plays with a high hockey IQ, always aware of when to be aggressive and when to exercise patience. He has a keen sense of pressure, reading the game well to understand where it’s coming from, which allows him to make smart, efficient plays—whether it’s a high flip pass to relieve pressure or carrying the puck out himself. Confident with the puck, he limits turnovers and makes the right decisions under pressure. While not flashy offensively, Allain-Samake is a steady contributor at both ends of the ice. His well-rounded play makes him a reliable two-way defender, able to shut down plays in his own zone while also supporting the attack when needed.
Easton Hewson (D, L, 6’4″, 220, Sioux City Musketeers, 07/08/2005, Minnesota State)
Grade: B
Comments: Hewson is a strong, physical defenseman with a solid all-around game. While he doesn’t rely on flashy moves, he is effective in both ends of the rink. With the puck, he’s calm and composed, able to collect and carry it with confidence, often making crisp, tape-to-tape passes. His vision in the offensive zone stands out, as he consistently keeps his head up, scanning the ice and finding teammates in advantageous positions. Defensively, his long reach is a key asset, allowing him to break up plays and disrupt the opposition’s attempts. When in possession of the puck, Hewson isn’t afraid to take his time and hold onto it, ensuring he makes the right decision to transition the play and move the puck efficiently up the ice.
Owen Keefe (D, L, 6’1″, 200, Sioux City Musketeers, 03/26/2006, Northeastern)
Grade: B-
Comments: Keefe showcased his mobility and hockey IQ, making several strong plays as a mobile defender. He displayed poise in the neutral zone, executing hinge plays to maintain puck control and transition smoothly. When given time and space, he carried the puck into the offensive zone, helping to push the pace and create offensive opportunities. In the second period, Keefe demonstrated his leadership by stepping up for a teammate after a hit, showing that he’s willing to stick up for his teammates.
Landen Gunderson (C, R, 6’0″, 185, Sioux City Musketeers, 11/28/2004, Ohio State)
Grade: B+
Comments: Gunderson is a reliable two-way player whose strong defensive play enables him to contribute offensively. He back-checks with intent, always ensuring he’s in the right position to disrupt the play and recover loose pucks, which allows him to transition quickly the other way. Offensively, Gunderson is always a threat around the net, whether he has the puck or not. His direct approach to going to the crease creates chaos for defenders and generates scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. He demonstrated this on the power play, where he planted himself in front of the net and converted a back-door pass for a goal, showcasing his ability to finish in traffic and be a presence in key areas.
Filip Nordberg (D, L, 6’5″, 216, Sioux Falls Stampede, 03/05/2004)
Grade: B+
Comments: Nordberg is a towering defender who surprises with his mobility for his size. In the defensive zone, he effectively shuts down plays, using his strength and positioning to smother opponents and make it difficult for them to find space. His size allows him to dominate battles along the boards and clear the crease, giving his team a solid presence on the back end. In the offensive zone, Nordberg transitions the puck smoothly, carrying it out in front of him while avoiding checks and minimizing turnovers. His ability to keep his feet moving and create space for himself allows him to open up lanes and make smart plays. When the opportunity arises, he throws pucks on net through traffic, creating chaos in front of the goaltender and generating offensive chances for his team.
Noah Urness (C, L, 5’10”, 182, Sioux Falls Stampede, 12/01/2005, St. Cloud)
Grade: B
Comments: Urness is a fast, dynamic forward who thrives on the rush, using his speed, sharp edge work, and skilled puck handling to keep defenders on their heels. His quick cutbacks create separation, allowing him to buy time and space before using his excellent vision to find teammates in prime scoring positions. What sets Urness apart is his ability to make plays while maintaining his speed and mobility, making him a constant threat and difficult to defend against.
Ethan Wyttenbach (LW, R, 5’9″, 180, Sioux Falls Stampede, 02/10/2007, Quinnipiac)
Grade: B+
Comments: Wyttenbach has a natural ability to make the game look effortless, particularly on the power play. He excels at collecting pucks on the flank, where he quickly takes control and distributes the puck with ease. With his head always up, he’s able to survey the ice, read the play, and make precise decisions in real time. His puck control is smooth and confident, allowing him to maintain possession and open up options for his teammates. Wyttenbach’s excellent vision and playmaking ability elevate the players around him, as he consistently creates scoring opportunities and sets up plays with pinpoint accuracy.
Anthony Bongo (D, R, 5’10”, 158, Sioux Falls Stampede, 05/16/2007, Michigan)
Grade: B
Comments: Bongo is a smaller, right-handed defenseman who isn’t shy about using the puck to his advantage. A strong skater, he excels at pushing the pace up the ice, often leading breakouts and gaining zone entries with ease. His smooth skating allows him to quickly transition from defense to offense, creating sustained pressure in the offensive zone. Bongo makes clean, accurate passes and has the vision to join the rush as the second wave of offense when the opportunity arises.
Bryce Ingles (D, R, 5’9″, 170, Sioux Falls Stampede, 07/08/2005, Ohio State)
Grade: B-
Comments: Ingles may be a bit smaller in stature, but he’s strong on his skates and doesn’t shy away from physical play. He takes pride in his defensive responsibilities, especially in the net-front area, where he effectively blocks shots and battles hard to protect his crease. Ingles also contributes in his own end with smart plays like quick outlet passes or high flips to relieve pressure and transition the puck up the ice.
Benjamin Wilmott (C, L, 6’1″, 186, Sioux Falls Stampede, 08/30/2006, Ohio State)
Grade: B
Comments: Wilmott is a rangy forward with great puck skills and a dynamic offensive game. He has the ability to carry the puck into the offensive zone with ease, using his speed and agility to maneuver through traffic before quickly turning on a dime to make precise, clean passes to set up the second wave of offense. With a solid set of hands and strong vision, Wilmott consistently makes plays that elevate the performance of those around him. He can generate offense in multiple ways, and his ability to shoot or pass with equal effectiveness makes him a dual threat that is difficult to defend against.
Sam Spehar (RW, R, 5’8″, 180, Sioux Falls Stampede, 04/20/2007, Denver)
Grade: B
Comments: Spehar scored the second goal of the game with a strong display of offensive awareness and skill. He read the play perfectly, poking the puck past a pinching defenseman before quickly accelerating toward the net. With his feet moving and head up, Spehar kept his options open, scanning the ice for any opportunities. Once in position, he unleashed a powerful shot, using a quick release to beat the goaltender cleanly. This goal highlighted not only his offensive prowess—especially his ability to quickly generate scoring chances—but also his defensive awareness and constant movement.
Alexei Vlasov (LW, R, 5’9″, 161, Sioux Falls Stampede, 02/02/2008)
Grade: B
Comments: Vlasov scored a stunning goal in the second period that showcased his offensive skill and composure. He collected the puck just inside the offensive blue line, weaving through traffic as he navigated his way toward the high slot. With defenders closing in, Vlasov showed excellent awareness to protect the puck and avoid losing possession. Once in the prime shooting area, he unleashed a quick-release shot that went top shelf, beating the goaltender cleanly. The play highlighted his agility and poise under pressure, as well as his ability to read the situation and execute a precise, hard shot. It was a textbook example of his offensive instincts and ability to make an impact in tight spaces.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images