The Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) have announced team honors for the 2016-2017 season. These players were selected for the following awards:
Most Valuable Player – Connor Mackey
Offensive Player of the Year – Jared Spooner
Defensive Player of the Year – Connor Mackey
Unsung Hero – Jason Dhooghe
Community Service Award- Matt Berkovitz
Mackey led all defensemen in the USHL tallying 47 points (6 goals, 41 assists) in 60 games this season for the Gamblers. Mackey helped guide the team to the best powerplay (23.5%) in the USHL netting a league best 34 points with the man advantage. Selected in the 13th round (197th overall), Mackey played a total of 89 games for the Gamblers in two seasons totaling 49 points (7 goals, 42 assists) and 155 penalty minutes. A native of Tower Lakes, IL, Mackey is comitted to Minesota State.
Captain Jared Spooner was second only to future Minnesota State teammate Connor Mackey in team scoring this season registering 46 points (19 goals, 27 assists) in 60 games. A native of Bismarck, ND, Spooner logged 111 games in two seasons in the USHL totaling 63 points (25 goals, 38 assists) to accompany 178 penalty minutes. Spooner was selected in the 2nd round of Phase II of the 2015 USHL Draft.
Dhooghe suited up for 142 games over the course of his USHL career tallying 40 total points (21 goals, 19 assists). Committed to Wisconsin, Dhooghe was a key piece in the Gamblers top penalty killing unit this season. The Aurora, IL native’s shorthanded goal scored against the Madison Capitols on March 23rd helped the Gamblers secure a 4-2 victory en route to the team’s 7th straight victory.
Off the ice, Berkovitz volunteered countless hours to various community-based programs, such as youth hockey and reading in the local elementary schools. On the ice, the Army West Point commit registered 25 points (2 goals, 23 assists) in 53 games this past season with the Gamblers.
