The United States Hockey League (USHL) boasts some impressive alumni. Currently, USHL alumni account for 164 players with NHL contracts, including stars such as the Colorado Avalanche’s Paul Stastny and the San Jose Sharks’ Joe Pavelski. Along with 236 college commitments for the 2011-2012 season, the USHL is a springboard to better things for senior Chris Neumann.
Neumann is a defenseman for the local USHL team the Chicago Steel.
“Every day at practice and during games you are playing against the best kids from across the U.S., playing NHL draft picks and D1 players,” said Neumann. “Every game there are scouts from schools and scouts from the NHL there watching your every move. But this league makes you a better hockey player.”
It’s this exposure and pressure that Neumann says is the biggest difference between in house high school hockey and the USHL.
“In high school I was able to just wheel around and do what I wanted with the puck,” said Neumann. “I was bigger and stronger than most of the kids I played against but now I’m smaller and it’s much more physically challenging.”
Still Neumann holds his former team in high regard.
“I think [Central] will win state and we have two of the best high school players in Illinois, but this league has Division 1 commitments and NHL draft picks up and down each lineup,” Neumann said.
However, the exposure isn’t the only drastic change that Neumann has had to go through since joining the Steel. Neumann starts school at the normal 7:45 a.m. start time, but he leaves early and is usually at the Steel’s home rink in Bensenville by 12:30 p.m. Neumann and the Steel have practice from 1:20 until 3:20 and usually Neumann stays after practice to have extra skills practice with an assistant coach. After that, Neumann works out in the weight room from 4:15 until 6:15, after which he finally leaves to go home.
On weekends, Neumann and the Steel usually have two or three games against other USHL teams from Indiana, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa, and North and South Dakota.
Another aspect of his life that Neumann has to juggle along with hockey is his schoolwork, something he feels fortunate he can work on with his teachers.
“My teachers first semester and so far second semester have been really helpful,” said Neumann. “I tell them on the first day of class that I’m going to miss a majority of Fridays and they understand.”
Furthermore, playing for the Steel has helped Neumann to reach out to the community. He and his teammates frequently visit youth hockey teams in the area to teach them the game.
“A lot of the players are role models to younger kids,” Neumann said. “We teach them what we know about the game and make it fun.”
As for future plans in hockey, Neumann hopes to play collegiately.
“Of course I want to play college hockey. That’s why I’m in this league. If you can play night in and night out and just be average, you can go to a Division 1 school, no question.”
For those who want to see the Steel in action, their next home game is Feb. 12 at the Edge Ice Arena.
