2005-06 Buccaneers Home

National Championship

The Des Moines Buccaneers were crowned Tier 1 national champions after their 3-2 win over the Sioux Falls Stampede before a sellout crowd of 4,764 in Sioux Falls.

Des Moines finished with a 9-2 record in the postseason, sweeping both Green Bay (3-0) and Cedar Rapids (3-0) before defeating Sioux Falls (3-2).

Buccaneers forward Kyle Okposo was named the Clark Cup Playoffs Most Valuable Player after scoring five goals (including two game-winners) and 11 assists in 11 postseason games. He was also a plus-12. It was the Buccaneers fourth Clark Cup championship in their 26-year history and first since the 1998-99 season when future NHL players Peter Sejna (St. Louis Blues) and Noah Clarke (Los Angeles Kings) helped Des Moines to the title.

USHL Awards

Regg Simon, In his first year as Head Coach and General Manager, took the Bucs who finished with the USHL's worst record in 2004-05 to a tie for the Eastern Division Championship, and the National Championship. He was honored with the USHL General Manager of the Year for his efforts. Trevor Lewis took USHL Player of the Year, Curt Hammer, and All-USHL First Team honors. Kyle Okposo, was also selected for the All-USHL First Team, All-USHL Rookie Team, and took the USHL Rookie of the Year Award. Shane Sims was also selected for the USHL All-Rookie Team.

College Scholarships and NHL Draft

The Buccaneers continued their rich tradition of as an organization that advances hockey careers as seventeen Buccaneers were awarded NCAA College hockey scholarships, and five Bucs were taken in the NHL draft. See the Awards page for complete information.