Feature Story

Feature Story

Hjelle emerges as an elite USHL netminder

By Jon Garver

The United States Hockey League recently announced its rosters for the 2008 USHL Prospects/All-Star Game, which will be held at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wis., on Tuesday, Jan. 29. Two teams were selected, one comprised of players from the East Division (to be known as Team RBK) and one of players from the West Division (to be known as Team CCM). Each team will carry two goaltenders, six defensemen and 12 forwards.

“This event, outside of the Fall Classic, is the most heavily scouted night in the USHL during the season. You’ll see representatives from most Division I colleges and every NHL team at this event,” said USHL President Gino Gasparini. “And while most players in the game have committed to a school and some have been already drafted, there’s a lot riding on this game for some kids and that’s enough to ensure that they play hard and not just go through the motions.”

Of the 40 players taking part, 12 are from Minnesota, representing all areas of the “Land of 10,000 Rinks.” Team RBK will feature Minnesotans Brady Hjelle (Cedar Rapids) of International Falls, Tyler Thompson (Cedar Rapids) of Wayzata, Joe Schiller (Green Bay) of Detroit Lakes, Nick Larson (Waterloo) of Apple Valley and Drew LeBlanc (Chicago) of Hermantown. Team CCM will have Andrew Conboy (Omaha) of Rosemount, Chris Hepp (Omaha) of Savage, Chris Connolly (Omaha) of Duluth, Matt Crandell (Sioux City) of St. Cloud, Jack Connolly (Sioux Falls) of Duluth, Jake Hansen (Sioux Falls) of White Bear Lake and Jared Festler (Lincoln) of Little Falls.

Of all the Minnesotans chosen for the game, the one that perhaps would have been the biggest shock to those asked back in September would be Hjelle. Hjelle was joining a Cedar Rapids team that had a proven veteran and NHL draft pick (4th round by Colorado in 2007) returning in goal. Kent Patterson, however, was injured in training camp and Hjelle was pressed into full-time duty in the pre-season. Hjelle went on to start the first 10 games of the season for the RoughRiders, going 7-2-1. Hjelle was then off with Team USA at the World Junior A Challenge in Trail, British Columbia and missed the next two Cedar Rapids games. Upon his return, Hjelle started another six straight before Patterson returned to the ice on Dec. 7.

“The first thing that comes to mind is that he is a great person and teammate, fun to be around,” said Cedar Rapids Head Coach Mark Carlson. “As a goalie he is a big-time competitor, composed and athletic.”

To date, Hjelle is one of the top goaltenders in the USHL and a candidate for The Collegian Group USHL Rookie of the Year award. In 23 games, Hjelle leads the USHL in minutes played (1,385), wins (17) and shutouts (2). He is also second in goals against average (2.12) and save percentage (.935).

And although we’ve singled Hjelle out here, nothing should be taken away from the other Minnesotans in the USHL.

“Minnesota is a great developing ground, for the USHL and the sport as a whole,” Gasparini said. “The talent of players in Minnesota and the ones that we’ve been able to have in the USHL show that our presence in the state is very strong, even though we have no teams there.”

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