Des Moines Bucs Weekly

January 13, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL) Des Moines Buccaneers Urbandale (IA) The Des Moines Buccaneers are coming off a weekend in which they dropped two games and never led for a single second.

By any form of measurement it's a disappointment, so why is there as much optimism as though that record were flip-flopped? It's because of recent additions, and returns, that have the coaching staff feeling as though the roster is poised for a strong run.

Buccaneer fans caught their first glimpse at the team's Phase II Third Round draft pick Oskar Norlov, and saw a familiar face in Connor Schmidt make his return to Des Moines. Norlov is a highly talented forward from Sweden who had averaged more than a point per game in three years in the Swedish Elite League. Meanwhile, defenseman Schmidt played in 54 games for the Buccaneers in 2011-2012 before spending the last season and a half at Division I Ferris State.

Head coach Jon Rogger is encouraged by what he has seen and the potential down the line.

"I thought that Connor was terrific in both games this weekend. He plays hard and with a lot of energy every shift out. He is tough to play against and makes simple plays. He is definitely an upgrade on our blue line" said Rogger, who had scouted Connor when he was property of the Green Bay Gamblers prior to coming to Des Moines.

Rogger also likes what he has seen thus far from Oskar.

"He has to adjust to the speed and physicality of the USHL but we feel he will be an impact player for us" noted Rogger. He has great hands and sees the ice as well as any of our forwards"

This weekend also marked the return to the line-up of defenseman Alec Rauhauser, who had missed two months and 17 games due to an upper-body injury. The rookie from Bismarck, ND played on Friday before sitting out Saturday as the team eases him back in.

And far from an afterthought, the Buccaneers are hoping that Urbandale native Willem Nong-Lambert will be back in the line-up as early as this weekend. The team's reigning rookie of the year has been limited to only 11 games due to injuries this season but is close to a return.

"Anytime you get your leading scorer from a year ago back into your lineup you will see a difference in our team" said Rogger. "Willem plays a very important role for us as we plan to use him on both the power play and penalty kill. I feel he will continue where he left off and put up points right away."

Go here to see the original:
Des Moines Bucs Weekly