Steel Named 2019-2020 Anderson Cup Champions
April 1, 2020 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
GENEVA, ILLINOIS - After a historic regular season, the Chicago Steel (41-7-1-0, 83 pts) were named the 2019-20 Anderson Cup champions, the United States Hockey League announced Wednesday.
This is the first time in the team's 20-season history that the Steel have won the Anderson Cup, awarded to the regular season champion.
The Steel set franchise records in wins (41) and points (83) during the regular season, holding league records in win percentage (.847) and goals per game (4.94) through 49 games played, prior to the league-wide cancellation of the remainder of the regular season and playoffs.
"We are proud to accept the Anderson Cup for the first time in team history," said Steel President Dan Lehv. "This title represents the hard work of our players and staff and the outstanding support we receive from our fans and billet families. At a time where we can all use some good news, this is worth celebrating."
The Anderson Cup was named after Harold Anderson who was influential in the formation of the Midwest Junior Hockey League, the predecessor to the USHL, and has been awarded every season since 1973.
At the time the USHL canceled its season, the Steel were the only team with a Clark Cup Playoffs berth secured. Chicago registered a franchise-record 13-game win streak twice this season, becoming the first club in league history to record multiple double-digit win streaks in a single season. The team's longest losing streak was just two games and only occurred once during the 49-game season.
Chicago was on pace to threaten several USHL all-time team records. The Steel needed seven wins and 16 points in its last 13 games to set USHL records for wins and points and were 54 goals shy of the most goals scored in league history. No team had ever finished with a win percentage over .900 on the road, and the Steel held a .913 mark at the time of stoppage.
Five of the top six scorers in the league this season were Steel players, paced by Mathieu De St. Phalle's 60 points (30G, 30A) while Sean Farrell's 41 assists were tied for the league lead. The Steel were the first team in league history to boast the leading overall scorer, rookie scorer and scoring defenseman.
Steel Goalie Victor Ostman tied a franchise record with 25 wins this season to go along with a franchise-best 2.34 goals against average.
Brendan Brisson's 59 points (24G, 35A) were the most by a Steel rookie and Gunnarwolfe Fontaine's 46 career goals are tied for second in team history. Defenseman John Spetz became the top scoring defenseman in Steel history with 78 career points (24G, 54A).
After winning the 2018-2019 Eastern Conference Championship and advancing to the Clark Cup Final, this season began with Head Greg Moore entering his second season behind the Steel bench. On December 1, the Steel announced that Moore was leaving the team to ascend to the American Hockey League as Head Coach of the Toronto Marlies. He was replaced by Brock Sheahan who compiled a dazzling 26-3-0-0 record following Moore's departure.
The Anderson Cup title continues an impressive run by the Steel over the past four seasons which included the team's first and only Clark Cup Championship in 2016-2017.
Season tickets are available now for the 2020-2021 season at Fox Valley Ice Arena starting at just 5 games for $45. Full season tickets are available starting at just $8 per game. In addition to affordable ticket prices, the Steel offer free parking, themed promotions and family-friendly entertainment.
For more information and to purchase Steel tickets, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
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United States Hockey League Stories from April 1, 2020
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- Steel Named 2019-2020 Anderson Cup Champions - Chicago Steel
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