Perhaps no sports term is more overused or misued than "parity." Although the definition of parity implies that many of the league's teams are at the same level, in many cases, parity becomes a nice way of saying "mediocre."
This certainly does not apply in the case of the 1998-99 United States Hockey League season. True, there are several teams that seem to be fairly equally matched on paper. However, it's not due to mediocrity. Instead, the USHL seems primed for a banner season, one that should see more teams in the upper echelon than ever before.
The top teams look stronger. Des Moines, the defending national champions, might actually have more talent than last season. Ditto for Omaha, the defending Clark Cup champions. And the bottom end of the scale looks to be improved as well. Dubuque and Twin Cities, who finished last in the south and north divisions last year, could be in the middle of the race this year.
The widest gap in talent might occur in the five-team Central Division. Few USHL observers dispute that Des Moines is the favorite in the central. Many of the key ingredients are in place from last year's national championship squad. The Bucs have one of the most potent groups of forwards seen in recent years. Returning players Noah Clarke, Pete Fregoe, Dan Donnette, Mark Krueger, Eric Maksimenko, and Erik Jensen are joined by a host of talented newcomers. Peter Sejna, Michael Chin, KC Caudill, Jerrid Reinholz, Kelly Miller, Nick Field, Alex Sawruk, Rob Novak, and Josh Roach will all have an immediate impact.
On the blueline, the Bucs look just as strong. Des Moines returns four defensemen from last year's solid defensive squad. Returners Bill Birrenkott, Jim Jackson, Garrett Stafford, and Josh Flynn will be joined by newcomers Peter Smrek, Felipe Larranaga, and Nick Stodgell on defense. Matt Carney, who joins the Bucs from the University of New Hampshire, will likely see the majority of action in goal. Frank Berenguer has also shown promise in the pre-season in the nets.
While the Bucs appear to be the class of the central, the rest of the division will find itself in a tight battle. Rochester has been very impressive in the preseason, capturing the Buc Bowl. Marc Ranfranz, who backed up all-star Dean Weasler last season, has been solid in the nets during the preseason. Jeff Taffe, a 17-year-old forward from Hastings, Minn., has looked solid so far. Rochester posted a 4-3 preseason record, with two of those losses coming at the hands of the Bucs.
A few miles north in the Twin Cities, a different arena could produce a different result for the Twin Cities Vulcans. The Vulcans moved to Columbia Arena in Fridley from their previous home at the Bloomington Ice Gardens over the summer. Goaltender Jason Jensen returns in net, while Shawn Roed and Drew Otten should lead the Vulcans offensively.
Des Moines fans will notice a few familiar faces in Mason City. Former Bucs' assistant coach Steve Nelson is now the head coach of North Iowa, and he has a few former Bucs to work with. Willie Raderschadt, who played in Des Moines last year, will suit up for the Huskies this season. Troy Linna, who started last season in Des Moines, and Efren Larranaga, brother of Bucs' defenseman Felipe Larranaga, are also in North Iowa. The Huskies have a young team, but the championship experience of Nelson and Raderschadt could pay dividends by the end of the season.
Thunder Bay is under new ownership, but the on-ice troubles may continue for the Flyers. Greg Zaporzan and Jesse Heerema, who formed a potent one-two punch last season, have seen their last action in the USHL. Ian Sgambelluri, who figured to be a key ingredient in this season's team, was traded to Waterloo in the off-season. The Flyers will have a few familiar faces, including Aaron Piccinin, who has been among the league's penalty minute leaders the last two seasons.
