All five of Geneva-based Chicago Steel hockey team alumni on the Team USA Olympic roster reached the score sheet, by recording 10 total points and factoring in all eight goals in an 8-0 Team USA victory over China Thursday, Feb. 10 in the Club’s opening game in the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games men’s ice hockey competition.
The 2021 Clark Cup champion, USA Hockey Junior Player of the Year and USHL Player of the Year, Sean Farrell (Steel 2019-2021), led the team with the first Olympic hat trick for Team USA since Phil Kessel in 2014. Farrell added two helpers for a five-point game and forwards Brendan Brisson (Steel 2019-2020) and Brian O’Neill (Steel 2007-2008) each picked up a goal..
Forward Nick Abruzzese (Steel 2017-2019) added a pair of assists and team captain Andy Miele picked up an assist in the opening victory of the Olympic Games against Steel alum Jake Chelios and Team China.
“This is another banner day for our organization,” said Steel president Dan Lehv. “To see our alumni have success on the Olympic stage with the entire world watching is incredibly rewarding to everyone that has worn a Steel jersey and played a role in their development.”
Sean Farrell, a Montreal Canadiens prospect, is the Steel all-time franchise leader in single-season assists (72) and points (101) as well as career assists (113) and points (157). The Hopkinton, Mass., native led the Steel to the Clark Cup championship in 2021.
Brendan Brisson was awarded the USHL Rookie of the Year Award and named to the USHL first all-star team after tallying 59 points (24G, 35A) in 45 games during the 2019-2020 Anderson Cup-winning season for Chicago before being selected in the first round (#29 overall) of the 2020 National Hockey League draft by the Vegas Golden Knights.
Nick Abruzzese, a Toronto Maple Leafs prospect, ranks fourth on the Steel all-time assists list (74), fifth on the all-time points list (116) and is one of only four players in franchise history to eclipse the 80-point mark in a single season when he totaled 29 goals and 51 assists to lead the USHL in points during the 2018-2019 season.
In Thursday’s action, Steel alumnus Owen Power led Team Canada in ice time during their 5-1 victory over Germany.
“We can’t understate the continued growth of the United States Hockey League in recent years,” said Lehv. “Less than nine months ago, Farrell was in a Steel uniform competing in the Clark Cup Final on our home ice in Geneva. Today, he’s scoring a hat trick in the Olympics. We’ve been spoiled by the amount of talent that our fans experience on a nightly basis.”
Team USA is next in action as they continue the preliminary round Saturday, Feb. 12, against Canada.
Hockey Hall of Famer Denis Savard joins the Steel at Fox Valley Ice Arena, 1996 S. Kirk Rd. in Geneva, for autographs on Chicago Blackhawks Night presented by River Front Chrysler Jeep Dodge and Ram at 7:05 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19. Savard, one of four players in history to reach the 1,000-point plateau as a Chicago Blackhawk, will drop a ceremonial puck and fans will be able to win prizes from the Blackhawks including tickets and experiences to upcoming games.
Sunday, Feb. 20 is Blippi Day with a character appearance and a Steel Family Pack Game at Fox Valley Ice Arena, a special ticket deal with 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 chips, 4 sodas/waters and 4 chuck-a-pucks for just $50. Game time for the Sunday matchup against Team USA (U17) is scheduled for 3:05 pm CT.
Single-game tickets start at just $10 and are available in person at the Steel Box Office at Fox Valley Ice Arena, by phone at 855-51-STEEL and online at chicagosteelhockeyteam.com. The Steel offer single-game ticket discounts for kids 12 and under and military.
Steel games may be heard on Mixlr at mixlr.com/chicago-steel (AUDIO) and video may be streamed on available devices through HockeyTV at www.hockeytv.com (VIDEO).
For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
—Chicago Steel