2010-2011 USHL Schedule & Full Divisional Alignment

Just as I was leaving for Tulsa over the weekend, the 2010-2011 schedule and Divisional Alignment for the United States Hockey League was released and the league shocked everyone be staying with the 2 Divisional Alignment when many experts thought that the league was going into 3 divisions.

For the most part, it's practically the same with the injection of the 2 new expansion teams with the Dubuque Fighting Saints joining the West Division while the Muskegon Lumberjacks are heading to the East.

It's also reported the Playoff Format will stay the same with the top 4 teams from both divisions making the playoffs. This is good news considering that they would fall into the trap that many junior Leagues fall into by making it way to easy to make the post-season, but they didn't and it will continue to make it exciting all year long.

In addition to the Divisional Alignment, the 2010-2011 Regular Season Schedule was released with each team playing 60 games and getting ready for the season with the USHL Fall Classic which will be from September 22-25 in Sioux City, Iowa which will be at the Tyson Events Center (Sioux City Musketeers Home Arena) and the IBP Ice Arena as well. Each team will play 3 games during the 4 day event where they will get exposed by a majority of NHL & NCAA Teams looking to recruit them.

As for Southwest Based Players for the upcoming season, Ryan Daugherty recently announced that he will be returning to the Omaha Lancers for the upcoming season, also Seth Jones who will be making his debut for the USNTDP this season.

As for new players coming in, Michael Hill will be with the Waterloo Blackhawks, Greg Johnson will be with the Sioux City Musketeers. Players who are on the fence are Christian Frey of the Des Moines Bucanneers and Michael Williams who's also with the Sioux City Musketeers.

So this is important to follow players from the Southwest and to see who could be major contenders that could ultimately play for the USHL Clark Cup Championships which will be crowned in Mid-May as everyone will be looking to knock off the Green Bay Gamblers.

Click on the Team to see their Schedule

Eastern Conference: Cedar Rapids Roughriders, Chicago Steel, Green Bay Gamblers, Indiana Ice, Muskegon Lumberjacks, USNTDP, Waterloo Blackhawks, Youngstown Phantoms

Western Conference: Des Moines Buccaneers, Dubuque Fighting Saints, Fargo Force, Lincoln Stars, Omaha Lancers, Sioux City Musketeers, Sioux Falls Stampede, Tri-City Storm

2010-2011 USHL Master Schedule

Here's a look at the schedule for the USHL Fall Classic in Sioux City, Iowa from September 22-25

2010 USHL Fall Classic Schedule