(above) DU recruit David Makowski was named USHL Defenseman of the YearFrom: USHL.com
The United States Hockey League today announced that DU recruit David Makowski of the Green Bay Gamblers has been named ProGuard USHL Defenseman of the Year as determined by a vote of League coaches.
"It has been a pleasure to watch David mature both as a person and a hockey player over the past three years," said Green Bay Gamblers Head Coach and General Manager Jon Cooper, who has coached Makowski the last two seasons in Green Bay and the previous season in St. Louis of the North American Hockey League. "Nothing he does comes as a surprise anymore. He has elevated his game to a point where excellence is now expected."
Makowski, who is committed to attend the University of Denver in the fall, led all USHL defensemen with 18 goals during the 2009-10 regular season while ranking tied for second with 41 points (18g, 23a) in 52 games. He served as alternate captain for the Gamblers and helped them earn a team record 45 wins and their second straight Anderson Cup as regular season champions. He scored nine power play goals, which led his team and was tops among all League blueliners. The 20-year-old tallied three game-winning goals and tied for the lead among USHL defensemen with three shorthanded goals. Makowski posted a plus-22 rating, which was the fifth best mark for a defenseman this season. Three times this season he has garnered USHL honors as the CCM Defensive Player of the Week.
"Congratulations to David on a great year in Green Bay, both on and off the ice, leading the team to its second Anderson Cup," said USHL Commissioner Skip Prince. "We'll look forward to watching his outstanding play during the team's Clark Cup run this year, and next year when he'll join a strong Pioneers squad."
The Wildwood, Missouri native has spent two seasons in the USHL with the Green Bay Gamblers. Over 103 total games in the League, he has collected 70 points (27g, 43a) and registered a plus-45 rating. Makowski was also selected to compete in the USHL All-Star Game in each of his two seasons, but was unable to participate this season due to an injury. Following his first season in the League, he was named to the All-USHL Second Team.
"It has been a pleasure to watch David mature both as a person and a hockey player over the past three years," said Green Bay Gamblers Head Coach and General Manager Jon Cooper, who has coached Makowski the last two seasons in Green Bay and the previous season in St. Louis of the North American Hockey League. "Nothing he does comes as a surprise anymore. He has elevated his game to a point where excellence is now expected."
Makowski, who is committed to attend the University of Denver in the fall, led all USHL defensemen with 18 goals during the 2009-10 regular season while ranking tied for second with 41 points (18g, 23a) in 52 games. He served as alternate captain for the Gamblers and helped them earn a team record 45 wins and their second straight Anderson Cup as regular season champions. He scored nine power play goals, which led his team and was tops among all League blueliners. The 20-year-old tallied three game-winning goals and tied for the lead among USHL defensemen with three shorthanded goals. Makowski posted a plus-22 rating, which was the fifth best mark for a defenseman this season. Three times this season he has garnered USHL honors as the CCM Defensive Player of the Week.
"Congratulations to David on a great year in Green Bay, both on and off the ice, leading the team to its second Anderson Cup," said USHL Commissioner Skip Prince. "We'll look forward to watching his outstanding play during the team's Clark Cup run this year, and next year when he'll join a strong Pioneers squad."
The Wildwood, Missouri native has spent two seasons in the USHL with the Green Bay Gamblers. Over 103 total games in the League, he has collected 70 points (27g, 43a) and registered a plus-45 rating. Makowski was also selected to compete in the USHL All-Star Game in each of his two seasons, but was unable to participate this season due to an injury. Following his first season in the League, he was named to the All-USHL Second Team.
2010 Recruiting Class
F Jason Zucker (U.S. Under-18)
D David Makowski (Green Bay, USHL)
F Nick Shore (U.S. Under-18)
F Beau Bennett (Penticton, BCHL)
F Dan Olszewski (St. Louis, NAHL)
F Jarrod Mermis (Lincoln, USHL)
G Sam Brittain (Canmore, AJHL)
2011 Recruiting Class
D Scott Mayfield (Youngstown, USHL)
F Zac Larraza (U.S. Under-17)
F Garrett Allen (Fargo, USHL)
D Matt Van Voorhis (U.S. Under-17)
2012 Recruiting Class
F Tyler Pham (Team Illinios)
D Dakota Mermis (St. Louis Jr. Blues, AAA)
F Daniel Doremus (Colorado Thunderbirds, AAA)
15 comments:
Matt Carle was also USHL Defenseman of the Year in 2002-03.
Future DU captain?
Anon 10:00No way he will be captain because he will be gone in two years.
Are there an additional 2 openings because of the early departure of Patty, Colbourne and Chevy?
Was Jackson red shirted?
Jackson was red-shirted.
Hard to replace Colborne & Wiercioch at the 11th hour. These players are recruited years ahead of time. All the good ones for 2010 have been picked over.
Am I correct that there are two spaces to fill?
We have a load of freshmen coming in ,msbd. With Jackson coming back from his injury I would save the one or two for next year and get a top player. All the good ones are gone this late.
Another good question to ask gwaz. at the banquet.
Each WCHA team only gets 18 scholarships to divide up among the team.
DU may chose to not replace Colborne & Wiercioch scholarships. They have guys like Nutini, Ryder, Jackson, Salazar and others that may divide the booty.
As each day passes it becomes more likely that DU won't recruit two players to replace Colborne & Wiercioch. Maybe a player will fall in their lap like Wiercioch & Maiani did, but that was pretty rare.
Here's a rough look at DU's lineup next season. Is there any uncommitted recruit out there that is better than any one of DU's starting 20 players? Doubtful.
K.Ostrow/Maiani/Bennett
Zucker/Martin/Jackson
Knowlton/D.Shore/N.Shore
Dewhurst/Olszewski/S.Ostrow
(Mermis, Salazar)
Donovan/Lee
Makowski/Nutini
Phillips/Ryder
(Brehm, Cook)
Murray or Brittain
(Paulgaard)
DG:
Don't forget Wrenn.
I could see DU bringing in a couple of more depth walk-ons to fill out the roster. With the kind of schedule DU has next year, it would be hard to get through it with 25 people on the roster. Last year, DU had 28 bodies, and needed 26 of them. DU could use another big banger or two up front - maybe an overage player who can play a checking role....
I agree with you Swami that one or two recruited walk-ons may find their way to DU. None of 2011 incoming class will be brought in early as they all will still be in high school next year. Brittain was the only 2011 who could be brought in early. The Austin Czarnik's, Brandon Saad's and Rocco Grimaldi's are also too young. Looks like Czarnik and Saad are going to the OHL anyway.
The USHL has been pretty picked over but d-man Nolan Zajac (Cedar Rapids)and forward Chasen Balisy (USNDT) are still out there. There are still quite a few BCHL players available although the top ones have already committed. The NAHL has quite a few players also available.
My bad. Plus Wrenn.
So clearly there isn't really any room for any more d-men.
DU already has two walk-ons coming it at forward. I seriously doubt there will be any more.
Makowski is going to be a stud. I covered UMass last year, and Don Cahoon pushed hard after him. Obviously, picking Denver was the right choice. Cahoon described as "the type of player that becomes an elite in college hockey without even trying." If he gives it everything, he'll be an all-American as a sophomore.
that's certainly some high praise Joe. Thanks for insight. If Makowski is even half that good, we should be very pleased.
Our defense is going to be very very good next year.
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