Utah contingent takes strides at America’s Showcase event
On and off the ice, USA Hockey’s America’s Showcase was a successful tournament for Team Utah.
Let’s talk on the ice first.
Team Utah went 1-3 at Robert Morris University’s Island Sports Center in Pittsburgh, beating Team Oregon 4-2 in its last game, but there’s more to the story.
“In most of our games, we were outshot by a large margin,” said Shannon Woodhall, president of Utah High School Hockey.
“Our goalies, Devin Bain and Levi Pompoco, stood on their heads,” she said. “No matter what the score, all our boys worked hard and exhibited excellent sportsmanship.”
Wes Prime led Team Utah’s offense with three goals and one assist. Jayson Rencher had two goals and Trevor Fisher had two assists.
Also on the roster of high school juniors and seniors were Dallas Nelson, Aaron Fugal, Austin Berg, Taylor Becraft, Kayden Glines, Spencer Powell, Jonathan Mousley, Kyle Watson, Jack Michael, Travis Munyer, Aiden Swenson, Ben Mccleery, Bridger Neal, Cameron Arsenault and Adam Hill. Coaches were Wayne Woodhall and Brent Prime.
Now let’s go off the ice with Team Utah.
“The scouting opportunities for our players were vast,” Shannon Woodhall said. “Scouts were allowed to talk to players during the tournament and many Team Utah players were approached after games.
“Almost every Team Utah player was contacted by a scout either during the tournament or afterwards. The scores of the games didn’t matter to the scouts. They were there to watch players and they had certain criteria. They looked at how players reacted to goals and penalties and how they played their position.”
Free time included a tour of Robert Morris University, a Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game and Game 2 of the first-round NHL playoff series between the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers.
— Steve Stein