The 2020-21 hockey season was a turbulent one because of the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but several players in the USA's only Tier 1 junior league were able to make the most of the challenge to raise their profiles.
The USHL regular campaign started a month later than normal with the goal of a 54-game, intra-conference schedule that ran through late April. Only four teams from each conference, down from a normal six, qualified for the 2021 USHL playoffs. The first two rounds consisted of a best-of-three series, with only the Clark Cup final being a best-of-five.
The Chicago Steel won the Anderson Cup after posting the league’s top regular-season record. They defeated the Dubuque Fighting Saints and Muskegon Lumberjacks in the Eastern Conference with four consecutive wins. The Fargo Force, the lowest playoff seed, knocked off regular-season conference champion Tri-City Storm in a three-game upset. They swept the Sioux City Musketeers in round 2 but fell to the Steel in four games in the championship round.
The following list of players are 2001 and '02 birth-year forwards from the region who made a positive impression with their play in the USHL. Some will move on to the NCAA this season and several will be back in junior for one more year.
Check back with New England Hockey Journal in the coming days, as NEHJ will continue the series with other birth years and positions to highlight the region's impact players in the USHL.
1. Brian Carrabes, Sioux City, North Andover, Mass. (Boston University)
08/01/01, right shot, 5-10/165
Smallish scorer is fast and highly skilled with a nose for the net. He gets up to speed quickly in just a few slashing strides and can handle the puck at full gallop, using his balance and agility to elude defenders with east-west moves. A product of Kimball Union Academy and St. John’s Prep, Carrabes came to the USHL a season ago after being drafted by the Sioux Falls Stampede, but was dealt to rival Sioux City at the 2020 trade deadline.
After pacing the Musketeers in goals with 21 in 45 games, he brings scoring and ability to play with pace to BU. He may need to be patient and work his way into a bigger role as he gets stronger and adjusts to the Hockey East. He had a disappointing USHL playoffs, going held off the score sheet in four games over two series against Omaha and Fargo. His playing style compares to: Brendan Gallagher
2. Liam Devlin, Omaha, Needham, Mass. (University of New Hampshire)
01/07/01, left shot, 5-11/190
The gritty left winger arrived in Omaha via trade early in the season from the Chicago Steel after a standout prep career at St. Sebastian’s. Devlin is a very good skater with underrated puck skills and a sneaky-good offensive game. He embraced more of a utility role for the Lancers, becoming a smart, disruptive two-way forward. He is hard to play against because he constantly moves his feet and understands how to use his body and stick to force turnovers.
Returning to the USHL for his overage season and his third in the league, Devlin could take a big step forward offensively. In addition to being a player who can be used in any situation, he is a quality person off the ice and is captain material. Devlin won’t be an NHL draft pick, but he does have the chance to eventually develop into an intriguing college free agent and has the mental makeup to be a solid pro. His playing style compares to: Alex Killorn
3. Riley Duran, Youngstown, Woburn, Mass. (Providence College)
01/25/02, right shot, 6-2/185
The Lawrence Academy grad and Boston Bruins 2020 draft pick (6th rd- 182nd overall) came to Youngstown with high expectations and struggled to make the initial adjustment. With just one assist in his first 10 USHL contests, he eventually found a groove with nine points in his last 12 games. A big-bodied forward who saw time at both center and wing, he can move well for his size. First few steps and small-area burst are two areas of emphasis, however. He can give/take the hit to make the play and as he gets stronger, should be able to get to the net more effectively. While not overly skilled, he plays a heavy, hard game.
As a long-term NHL project type, it will be interesting to see if he develops more of an offensive dimension. His playing style compares to: Charlie Coyle
4. Doug Grimes, Sioux City, Brookline, Mass. (Boston University)
04/18/02, right shot, 6-2/186
Although he battled through injuries which limited him to 22 games and four goals, the Dexter Southfield product has upside. With the size and good wheels to play at the highest levels, he does a pretty good job of hunting pucks and helping in the transition game. He committed to BU in the middle of a breakout prep season, parlaying that success into the 15th overall selection (1st round) of the 2020 USHL Entry Draft by the Cedar Rapids Roughriders. When that team had to sit out the 20-21 season due to damage done to the venue in a major wind storm last Aug., Grimes was acquired via the dispersal draft.
If he does not go in to BU this fall and returns to the USHL, Grimes will play for Cedar Rapids in 21-22. His playing style compares to: Ryan Dzingel
5. Owen Fowler, Omaha, Tewksbury, Mass. (UMass Lowell)
06/04/02, left shot, 5-10/190
Acquired by Omaha from Des Moines in a post-Christmas trade. Formerly with Central Catholic and Governor’s Academy, Fowler is built like a tank. His low center of gravity and thick core mean he’s strong on his skates and can drive through contact. A gritty, agitating presence, he closes quickly on opponents to force turnovers. He’s a constant thorn in the opposition’s side and has a separation gear in open ice. As the season went on, he got more confident in his shot, and looks primed for a big uptick in production with Omaha. Has the makings of an excellent college player- the kind of guy you win with. His playing style compares to: Leo Komarov
