Feature Story

USHL was turning point to reaching NHL

 

Dan Sexton lived out a hockey dream when he scored his first two NHL goals on Dec. 8, while playing for the Anaheim Ducks. 

Playing in just his third NHL game and his team trailing 3-1, Sexton scored two goals in the third period, including the game-tying tally with just 1:02 remaining in regulation. The Ducks capped the comeback with an overtime goal to defeat the Dallas Stars 4-3 and Sexton fired a game high nine shots on goal on his way to being named the game’s first star.

“I’d say it was probably the coolest feeling – take my previous coolest feeling and multiply it by 10, if not more. That’s what it was,” said Sexton following the game. “It really just felt like a dream. It was unbelievable.”

It was just three seasons ago that the native of Apple Valley, Minn., doubted he would ever have a chance to live out that NHL dream. The young forward was playing for the Sioux Falls Stampede but was struggling to adjust to the USHL game. Sexton collected just five points (2g, 3a) in the first 23 games of the season.

“I had a rough start in Sioux Falls and there were times I wanted to give up,” Sexton said. “The team could have given up on me, but they stuck with me and saw something in me that I may not have seen myself.”

What the team saw from Sexton was a boost in offensive production as he collected 19 points (12g, 7a) over his final 35 regular season games. However, his biggest impact came during the playoffs as Sexton led all USHL players with eight goals in eight postseason games and helped lead the Stampede to the first Clark Cup championship in the history of the organization. 

“That year did so much for my confidence, helped me to get stronger, and develop as a player,” said Sexton. “It turned my whole career around and I am so thankful to my coaches and teammates.”

Another key to launching his career was the Stampede’s commitment to off-ice training and the programs instilled by the team’s strength and conditioning coach Kevin Ziegler. “We took the off-ice training very seriously in Sioux Falls,” said Sexton.  “It is pretty cool to have one of the best strength coaches while being a 16 to 20-year-old kid.”

Even now as an NHL player, Sexton relies on much of that training he learned as a 19-year-old and continues to train with Ziegler during the offseason. Sexton also notes that he doesn’t hesitate to pick up the phone during the season if he needs any training advice, “I am part of the Sioux Falls family and they stick with you.”  

 A season in the USHL earned Sexton the opportunity to play collegiately at Bowling Green State University. It was during his sophomore season that scouts from the Anaheim Ducks saw him play and impressed them enough that the organization offered the undrafted forward a contract later that spring. Sexton then made the tough decision to leave college early with two years remaining on his scholarship the strong desire to complete his education. 

“It was bittersweet to leave the college experience, but the opportunity was worth it and could have been a once in a lifetime chance,” said Sexton.

Now Sexton is making the most of his chance on the NHL stage and has quickly impressed Ducks coach Randy Carlyle who noted that his young forward is “not big in stature, in size, but has a huge heart.”

“You’ve just got to take your hat off to the guy,” said Carlyle. “Hopefully he can continue to develop and bring a little bit more of that.”

Sexton has brought a lot of it in a short amount of time as he has already scored five points (4g, 1a) in his first five NHL games (through Dec. 15). He has helped provide a bit of a turning point in the season for the Ducks, but it was the turning point of his career in the USHL that he will always remember.

“Without that season, I don’t think there would be any chance I would be where I am today.”

 

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