Riverkings rule the roost — 2016-17 Season Reviews — USPHL Elite Midwest

After a successful first season, eight teams from the United States Premier League Midwest Division graduated to the Elite level in 2016-17 season – a season dominated by the Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings in nearly every way.

The Riverkings posted a record of 37-4-3, including wins in its first 17 regular season contests to wrap up top spot in the Regular Season standings, eight points ahead of the second place Dells Ducks who also finished with a seven-point gap on third place Steele County Blades with the Forest Lake Lakers another 11 points behind in fourth.

Both the Riverkings and Ducks advanced to the National championship tournament without a loss, the Riverkings brushing the Detroit Fighting Irish aside in the opening round before handling the Chicago Cougars in the semis.

The Ducks handled the Blaine Energy in two straight but needed overtime in the second game to get by the Steele County Blades.

The Cougars battled back for a 2-1 edge in its opening round series against the Lakers after dropping the series opener and the Blades got by the River Falls Renegades in two straight games.

The Riverkings and Ducks were placed in the same three-team pool at the National event based on winning percentage it was evident early the teams from the South Division would the teams to beat at this event.

The Riverkings were doubled by the Hampton Roads Whalers in its opening match on March 18 but rallied back later in the day for a 5-2 win against the Jr. Bruins from the North Division. The Ducks handled the Bruins 2-0 in its opener but then fell 2-1 to the Charlotte Rush later in the day.

On the second day, both teams came up short against South Division opponents, Charlotte handing the Riverkings a 6-1 defeat while the Ducks fell to the Whalers 6-4.

Based on points, both the Riverkings and Ducks qualified for semi-finals, but were forced to face the same opponents as earlier in the day. The season ended for the Midwest division on the evening of March 9 as the Riverkings were doubled by the Rush 6-3 and the Ducks were shutout by the Whalers 5-0.

On its way to dominating the standings, the Riverkings were equally as dominant in all the individual statistics as well, leading the league in both goals for – 241 and goals against – 76.

Riverkings placed six players among the Top 10 scorers in the league, including the top three overall. Ryan Mantz, 20, from Oshkosh, WI wrapped up an awesome season collecting 88 points (35g, 53a) in 42 regular season games and then adding another 21 points (6g, 15a) in eight post season matches.

Reed Kaiser, a 20-year-old native of Wyoming finished right behind Mantz with 78 points (36g, 42a) in 42 games and then adding another 13 points (7g, 6a) in the playoffs.

Rounding out the top three was Kevin Van Bokkelen, 20, from Hudson, Ohio. He picked up 61 points (24g, 37a) in 41 regular season games before racking up 15 points (8g, 7a) in eight playoff contests.

Both Mantz and Van Bokkelen could return for another season with the Riverkings and Kaiser will move on to study and play hockey at Indiana Tech.

Soren Colstrup, 21, from Ellendale, MN was the top non-Riverkings scorer on the season, helping the Steele County Blades with 69 points (37g, 32a) in 42 regular season games before adding another three goals in four playoff encounters. Colstrup is heading to Framingham State University in the fall.

Colstrup teammate Kyle Wadden rounded out the top five. The 19-year-old native of Pleasant Hill, IA collected 57 points (26, 31a) in just 38 games and picked up another six points (1g, 5a) in four playoff encounters.

Defensively, the Riverkings led the way again, Erik Schuette, 19 from Olathe, KS topping the goaltending charts with 29 wins. His numbers included a 1.57 Goals Against Average and a Save Percentage of .941. Schuette is eligible to return for another season with the Riverkings.

Not far behind was Gennaro Anzevino who picked up 22 wins in goal for the Ducks. Anzevino, 21, from Hackensack, NJ matched Schuette’s 1.57 GAA and .941 SP. He will attend Elmira College in the fall.

Tim Grounds, 20, from White Bear Lake, MN picked up 16 victories in goal for the Blades with a 2.87 GAA and a .904 Save Percentage.

Another Ducks goaltender, Nick Levesque was ranked fourth in wins with 14 and the 21-year-old native of Manassas, VA posted a GAA of 1.62 with a .927 SP.

Rounding out the top five in terms of wins was Luke Martinovich, 19, from Bartlett, IL with 13 victories in goal for the Cougars. Martinovich had a 2.30 GAA and .927 SP.

The Riverkings had all the top nominations for Elite League Awards – Each of the three divisions nominated one finalist in each category.

Head Coach Marty Quarters was the Midwest nominee for Coach of the Year honors and he was selected as the league’s top mentor as well.

Schuette represented the division as the Top Goaltender and ultimately finished as a runner up to Syracuse Stars Goaltender Link Ferch, 20, from Whitesboro, TX. Ironically, Ferch was traded from Rapids to Syracuse the previous season.

Mantz was nominated by the Midwest Division in both the Forward of the Year and Player of the Year categories and Harrison Kohl, 20, from Chicago was named as the Midwest Defenseman of the Year.