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Home , Waterloo Black Hawks, Western Conference (NHL)

2020-21 GAME NOTES 25TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON Powered by BMW of LINCOLN GAME 8- STARS at WATERLOO BLACK HAWKS GAME INFORMATION Date & Time...... Monday, Dec. 28 at 7:05 p.m. Venue (Capacity)...... Young Arena (3,500) TV...... HockeyTV.com Radio...... Mixlr.com/lincoln-stars

LINCOLN STARS SOCIAL MEDIA INFORMATION WATERLOO BLACK HAWKS Record: 2-4-1-0 Website...... LincolnStars.com Record : 3-6-0-0 Season Series vs. Waterloo: 0-0-0-0 Instagram...... @OfficialLincolnStars Last Game: 4-3 W at Sioux City Last Game: 5-2 W vs Tri-City Twitter...... @LincolnStars President & Head Coach: PK O’Handley GM & Head Coach: Chris Michael (1st Facebook...... Facebook.com/LincolnStars (19th Season) Season) Tickets...... LincolnStars.com/Tickets STARS HEAD TO WATERLOO FOR MATCHUP WITH BLACK HAWKS The Lincoln Stars hit the road once build upon recent success to get action on HockeyTV or listen in on again for a matchup with the Waterloo back on track. The Black Hawks hold a Mixler. Black Hawks on Monday, Dec. 28. record of 3-6-0-0, but have won their The Stars look to build momentum last two contests. Waterloo last took Following a game in Kearney, Neb. following a statement win and pick on City on Dec. 26 in a 4-3 victory. on Dec. 31, the Stars return home up a win to climb the USHL’s Western to the Ice Box on Jan. 2 to take on Conference standings. This is the first matchup between the Tri-City Storm in the first contest these programs in the 2020-21 of a three-game home stand. For The Stars last took the ice on Dec. 26 regular season. A previous meeting ticket information, visit LincolnStars. for their home-opener against the was scheduled between the Stars com/Tickets or call the box office Tri-City Storm. Lincoln defended their and Black Hawks, however, that was at 402-474-7827. Please also visit home ice, picking up a 5-2 victory over postponed. These two teams will LincolnStars.com to see our Health & their in-state rival. Stars’ goaltender meet four more times throughout the Safety protocols at the Ice Box for the Ryan Ouellette recorded a win and regular season. 2020-21 season. made 25 saves on 27 stops to lead Lincoln to a victory. The Stars take the ice against the Black Hawks at 7:05 p.m. at Young Arena in The Waterloo Black Hawks look to Waterloo, . Fans can catch the 2020-21 STARS ROSTER # Name Pos DOB Height Hometown Previous Team Commitment | NHL 1 Guy Blessing G 5/8/01 6’3 Chandler, AZ Topeka Pilots (NAHL) Air Force 2 Tony Follmer D 10/26/00 6’1 O’Fallon, MO Lincoln Stars 6 Zach Urdahl F 10/13/01 6’0 Eau Claire, WI Lincoln Stars Wisconsin 7 Carter Schade D 3/7/03 5’11 Mars, PA Elite Penn State 8 Winter Wallace F 1/21/02 6’3 Boulder, CO Shattuck St. Mary’s 18U Michigan State 9 Joey Larson F 3/27/01 6’1 Brighton, MI Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL) Northern Michigan 10 Jack Horbach F 3/4/02 5’11 Naperville, IL (USHL) Wisconsin 11 Yu Sato F 4/17/02 5’10 Saitama, JPN Québec Remparts (QMJHL) 12 Dominic James F 7/3/02 5’9 Plymouth, MI Lincoln Stars Minnesota Duluth 14 Dalton Norris D 9/28/01 5’10 Oxford, MI Lincoln Stars 15 Jack O’Leary F 3/28/00 5’7 St. James, NY (USHL) Cornell 16 Nick Nardecchia F 1/1/01 5’7 Macomb, MI Tri-City Storm (USHL) Ferris State 17 Chase Pietila D 3/3/04 6’1 Howell, MI Honeybaked 15U AAA Michigan Tech 18 Noah Laba F 8/4/03 6’1 Northville, MI Oakland Jr. Grizzlies 16U AAA Colgate 19 Stanley Cooley F 5/27/02 5’11 Regina, SK Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL) Northeastern 21 Spencer Smith F 5/20/02 5’9 St. Cathrines, ON Lincoln Stars UMass Amherst 22 Jacob Bauer D 2/25/02 5’10 Detroit, MI Lincoln Stars Western Michigan 24 Jake Beaune D 6/13/00 6’3 Livonia, MI Aberdeen Wings (NAHL) 25 Griffin Jurecki F 5/3/03 5’10 Grosse Ile, MI Little Caesars 16U AAA 26 Cole Craft F 6/29/01 6’2 North Bay, ON Rockland Nationals (CCHL) Lake Superior State 27 Aidan Thompson F 2/18/02 5’10 Fort Collins, CO NV River Rats 18U AAA | Berkshire School Denver 28 Gleb Veremyev F 3/16/03 6’4 Monroe Township, NJ New Jersey Rockets 16U AAA Penn State 29 Nikolai Mayorov F 5/18/00 5’9 Tyumen, RUS Tri-City Storm (USHL) 30 Ryan Ouellette G 12/6/00 6’0 Colorado Springs, CO Tri-City Storm (USHL) 39 Zak Brice G 1/25/03 5’10 Fairbanks, AK Kimball Union Academy Arizona State

SCHEDULE NOTES 2020-21 STARS SCHEDULE USHL SET FOR 54 GAME SEASON Record: 2-4-1-0 | Home: 1-0-0-0 | Away: 1-4-1-0 The 2020-21 USHL season will consist of Day Date Opponent Location Time/Result 54 regular season games for each team Saturday Nov. 14 Tri-City Kearney, NE 3-2 OTL in a regional schedule. TBD TBD Waterloo Ice Box PPND Saturday Nov. 21 Des Moines Urbandale, IA 4-3 L STARS TO FACE WESTERN Wednesday Nov. 25 Waterloo Waterloo, IA PPND CONFERENCE DURING THE Saturday Nov. 28 Sioux Falls Sioux Falls, SD 5-4 W REGULAR SEASON Thursday Dec. 3 Fargo Fargo, ND 4-0 L Due to the regional USHL schedule, the Friday Dec. 4 Fargo Fargo, ND 5-3 L Lincoln Stars will face the seven teams Saturday Dec. 5 Fargo Fargo, ND 6-2 L in the Western Conference during the Friday Dec. 11 Des Moines Urbandale, IA PPND 2020-21 season. This change will lead Saturday Dec. 12 Omaha Ice Box PPND to heated season-long rivalries between Sunday Dec. 13 Sioux Falls Sioux Falls, SD PPND each team. Friday Dec. 18 Sioux Falls Ice Box PPND Saturday Dec. 19 Sioux City Sioux City, IA PPND 25TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON Saturday Dec. 26 Tri-City Ice Box 5-2 W BEGINS ON NOVEMBER 14TH Monday Dec. 28 Waterloo Waterloo, IA 7:05 pm The Stars kickoff their 25th season on Thursday Dec. 31 Tri-City Kearney, NE 7:05 pm November 14th when the team travels Saturday Jan. 2 Tri-City Ice Box 7:05 pm to Kearney, NE to take on the Tri-City Wednesday Jan. 6 Tri-City Ice Box TBD Storm. Friday Jan. 8 Des Moines Ice Box 7:05 pm Saturday Jan. 9 Des Moines Urbandale, IA 6:00 pm STARS’ SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO Friday Jan. 15 Omaha Ralston, NE 7:05 pm CHANGE Saturday Jan. 16 Omaha Ice Box 7:05 pm Due to unprecedented circumstances Friday Jan. 22 Tri-City Kearney, NE 7:05 pm surrounding the 2020-21 USHL season, Saturday Jan. 23 Tri-City Ice Box 7:05 pm the Stars’ schedule is subject to Friday Jan. 29 Sioux Falls Ice Box 7:05 pm change. Please visit LincolnStars.com Saturday Jan. 30 Fargo Ice Box 7:05 pm for information regarding schedule Sunday Jan. 31 Fargo Ice Box 3:05 pm changes. Friday Feb. 5 Des Moines Ice Box 7:05 pm Saturday Feb. 6 Omaha Ice Box 7:05 pm LINCOLN & OMAHA BATTLE Thursday Feb. 11 Fargo Fargo, ND 7:05 pm Friday Feb. 12 Sioux Falls Sioux Falls, SD 7:05 pm OFTEN IN 2020-21 SEASON Saturday Feb. 13 Sioux City Ice Box 7:05 pm The Stars will face off with the Omaha Friday Feb. 19 Tri-City Kearney, NE 7:05 pm Lancers 10 times during the 2020- Saturday Feb. 20 Omaha Ralston, NE 6:05 pm 21 season. The opening game in the Friday Feb. 26 Sioux City Sioux City, IA 7:05 pm season series will take place on Dec. 12 Saturday Feb. 27 Sioux City Ice Box 7:05 pm at the Ice Box at 7:05 pm. Sunday Feb. 28 Fargo Ice Box 3:05 pm Friday Mar. 5 Omaha Ralston, NE 7:05 pm STARS HOST 6-GAME Saturday Mar. 6 Omaha Ice Box 7:05 pm HOMESTAND Friday Mar. 12 Waterloo Ice Box 7:05 pm The Stars’ schedule features a six-game Saturday Mar. 13 Waterloo Waterloo, IA 6:05 pm homestand at the Ice Box between Tuesday Mar. 16 Sioux Falls Sioux Falls, SD 7:05 pm the dates of Jan. 23 and Feb. 6. Lincoln Friday Mar. 19 Waterloo Ice Box 7:05 pm will host Tri-City, Sioux Falls, Fargo, Des Saturday Mar. 20 Omaha Ralston, NE 6:05 pm Moines and Omaha during this period. Saturday Mar. 27 Omaha Ice Box 7:05 pm Sunday Mar. 28 Fargo Ice Box 3:05 pm ICE BOX HOSTS 16 THEMED Friday Apr. 2 Sioux City Sioux City, IA 7:05 pm NIGHTS Saturday Apr. 3 Sioux City Ice Box 7:05 pm The Stars will host 16 themed nights Wednesday Apr. 7 Des Moines Ice Box 7:05 pm during the 2020-21 season. For Friday Apr. 9 Tri-City Ice Box 7:05 pm information of each promotional night Saturday Apr. 10 Tri-City Kearney, NE 7:05 pm and ticket information, visit LincolnStars. Friday Apr. 16 Omaha Ralston, NE 7:05 pm com/Tickets or call the box office at Saturday Apr. 17 Sioux Falls Ice Box 7:05 pm 402-474-7827. Friday Apr. 23 Sioux Falls Ice Box 7:05 pm Saturday Apr. 24 Sioux Falls Sioux Falls, SD 7:05 pm *All times are listed in Central and are subject to change *Home games at the Ice Box are listed in BLUE *For ticket information, visit LincolnStars.com/Tickets or call 402-474-7827 PLAYER STATISTICS FORWARDS ZACH URDAHL “A” WINTER WALLACE 6’0|Forward|10/13/01 6’3|Forward|1/21/02 Eau Claire, WI Boulder, CO Lincoln Stars (USHL) Shattuck St. Mary’s 18U (Prep) Wisconsin Michigan State 6 NOTES 8 NOTES • Averaging a point per game during the 2020-21 season • Recorded 19 goals and 31 assists for Shattuck St. Mary’s in • Committed to the University of Wisconsin 2019-20 • Committed to Michigan State University 2020-21 STATISTICS 2020-21 STATISTICS GP G A PTS PIM +/- GWG PPG SHG GP G A PTS PIM +/- GWG PPG SHG 7 5 2 7 2 3 0 0 2 6 0 1 1 25 -3 0 0 0 JOEY LARSON JACK HORBACH 6’1|Forward|3/27/01 5’11|Forward|5/4/02 Brighton, MI Naperville, IL Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL) Madison Capitols (USHL) Northern Michigan Wisconsin 9 NOTES 10 NOTES • Recorded his first USHL against Tri-City on Dec. 26 • Scored first goal with the Stars on Dec. 4 against Fargo • Committed to Northern Michigan University • Committed to the University of Wisconsin 2020-21 STATISTICS 2020-21 STATISTICS GP G A PTS PIM +/- GWG PPG SHG GP G A PTS PIM +/- GWG PPG SHG 5 1 0 1 0 -3 0 0 0 6 1 0 1 4 -1 0 0 0 YU SATO DOMINIC JAMES 5’10|Forward|4/17/02 5’9|Forward|7/3/02 Saitama, JPN Plymouth, MI Québec Remparts (QMJHL) Lincoln Stars (USHL) Minnesota Duluth 11 NOTES 12 NOTES • Leads the Stars in assists in the 2020-21 season • Has recorded three points during the 2020-21 season • Played in 39 games for the Québec Remparts in 2019-20 • Committed to the University of Minnesota Duluth 2020-21 STATISTICS 2020-21 STATISTICS GP G A PTS PIM +/- GWG PPG SHG GP G A PTS PIM +/- GWG PPG SHG 5 0 5 5 4 4 0 0 0 4 1 3 4 14 1 0 0 0 JACK O’LEARY NICK NARDECCHIA 5’7|Forward|3/28/00 5’7|Forward|1/1/01 St. James, NY Macomb, MI Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL) Tri-City Storm (USHL) Cornell Ferris State 15 NOTES 16 NOTES • Recorded a goal and an assist on Dec. 26 against Tri-City • Acquired from the Tri-City Storm • Committed to Cornell University • Played 2 games w/LIN in 2019-20; Committed to Ferris State 2020-21 STATISTICS 2020-21 STATISTICS GP G A PTS PIM +/- GWG PPG SHG GP G A PTS PIM +/- GWG PPG SHG 3 2 2 4 2 -6 0 1 0 5 0 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 PLAYER STATISTICS FORWARDS NOAH LABA STANLEY COOLEY “C” 6’1|Forward|8/4/03 5’11|Forward|5/27/02 Northville, MI Regina, SK Oakland Jr. Grizzlies 16U AAA Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL) Colgate Northeastern 18 NOTES 19 NOTES • Scored first USHL goal against Fargo on Dec. 4 • Recorded two assists against Tri-City on Dec. 26 • Played for the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies in 2019-20 • Committed to Northeastern University 2020-21 STATISTICS 2020-21 STATISTICS GP G A PTS PIM +/- GWG PPG SHG GP G A PTS PIM +/- GWG PPG SHG 3 2 0 2 15 -2 0 0 6 0 2 2 4 2 0 0 0 SPENCER SMITH GRIFFIN JURECKI 5’9|Forward|5/20/02 5’10|Forward|5/3/03 St. Catharines, ON Grosse Ile, MI Lincoln Stars (USHL) Little Caesars 16U AAA UMass Amherst Denver 21 NOTES 25 NOTES • Played in 34 games for Lincoln in 2019-20 • Played in 2 games for the Stars in 2019-20 • Committed to UMass Amherst • Committed to the University of Denver 2020-21 STATISTICS 2020-21 STATISTICS GP G A PTS PIM +/- GWG PPG SHG GP G A PTS PIM +/- GWG PPG SHG 6 1 0 1 15 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 COLE CRAFT AIDAN THOMPSON 6’2|Forward|6/29/01 5’10|Forward|2/18/02 North Bay, ON Fort Collins, CO Rockland Nationals (CCHL) NV River Rats 18U AAA | Berkshire School Lake Superior State Denver 26 NOTES 27 NOTES • Scored first USHL goal against Sioux Falls on Nov. 28 • Recorded his first USHL goal on Nov. 21 against Des Moines • Committed to Lake Superior State University • Committed to the University of Denver 2020-21 STATISTICS 2020-21 STATISTICS GP G A PTS PIM +/- GWG PPG SHG GP G A PTS PIM +/- GWG PPG SHG 7 2 0 0 16 0 0 0 0 7 2 0 2 2 -2 0 0 0 GLEB VEREMYEV NIKOLAI MAYOROV 6’4|Forward|3/16/03 5’9|Forward|5/18/00 Monroe Township, NJ Tyumen, RUS New Jersey Rockets 16U AAA Tri-City Storm (USHL) Penn State 28 NOTES 29 NOTES • Recorded 37 goals and 37 assists for the New Jersey Rockets in • Recorded a goal and an assist against Sioux Falls on Nov. 28 2019-20 • Acquired from the Tri-City Storm • Committed to Penn State University 2020-21 STATISTICS 2020-21 STATISTICS GP G A PTS PIM +/- GWG PPG SHG GP G A PTS PIM +/- GWG PPG SHG 5 0 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 8 1 4 5 2 -2 1 0 0 PLAYER STATISTICS DEFENSE TONY FOLLMER “C” CARTER SCHADE 6’1|Defense|10/26/00 5’11|Defense|3/7/03 O’Fallon, MO Mars, PA Lincoln Stars (USHL) Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 16U AAA | Lincoln Stars Bemidji State Penn State 2 NOTES 7 NOTES • Played in 44 games for Lincoln in 2019-20 • Recorded 2 assists against Sioux Falls on Nov. 28 • Commited to Bemidji State • Committed to Penn State University 2020-21 STATISTICS 2020-21 STATISTICS GP G A PTS PIM +/- GWG PPG SHG GP G A PTS PIM +/- GWG PPG SHG 6 0 2 2 52 1 0 0 0 5 0 2 2 2 3 0 0 0 DALTON NORRIS CHASE PIETILA 5’10|Defense|9/28/01 6’1|Defense|3/3/04 Oxford, MI Howell, MI Lincoln Stars (USHL) Honeybaked 15U AAA Michigan Tech 14 NOTES 17 NOTES • Played in 47 games for Lincoln in 2019-20 • Recorded 14 goals and 58 assists for Honeybaked in 2019-20 • Committed to Michigan Tech University 2020-21 STATISTICS 2020-21 STATISTICS GP G A PTS PIM +/- GWG PPG SHG GP G A PTS PIM +/- GWG PPG SHG 6 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 JACOB BAUER JAKE BEAUNE 6’3|Defense|2/25/02 6’3|Defense|6/13/00 Detroit, MI Livonia, MI Lincoln Stars (USHL) Aberdeen Wings (NAHL) Western Michigan 22 NOTES 24 NOTES • Played in 46 games for Lincoln in 2019-20 • Scored first USHL goal against Sioux Falls on Nov. 28 • Committed to Western Michigan University • Recorded 12 goals and 17 assists for the Aberdeen Wings in 2019-20 2020-21 STATISTICS 2020-21 STATISTICS GP G A PTS PIM +/- GWG PPG SHG GP G A PTS PIM +/- GWG PPG SHG 7 0 2 2 4 2 0 0 0 7 1 1 2 0 -3 0 0 0 PLAYER STATISTICS GOALTENDERS GUY BLESSING RYAN OUELLETTE 6’3|Goaltender|5/8/01 6’0|Goaltender|12/6/00 Chandler, AZ Colorado Springs, CO Topeka Pilots (NAHL) Tri-City Storm (USHL) Air Force 1 NOTES 30 NOTES • Made Stars debut on Dec. 5 against Fargo • Recorded a win against his former team on Dec. 26 against Tri- • Committed to the United States Air Force Academy City • Has played in all six regular season games for Lincoln 2020-21 STATISTICS 2020-21 STATISTICS GP W L OTL SOL SV% GAA SA GA GP W L OTL SOL SV% GAA SA GA 1 0 1 0 0 .800 9.00 15 3 7 2 3 1 0 .886 3.60 183 24 ZAK BRICE 5’10|Goaltender|1/25/03 Fairbanks, AK Kimball Union Academy Arizona State 39 NOTES • Played in 18 games and recorded a SV% of .924 for Kimball Union Academy in 2019-20 • Committed to Arizona State University • Currently injured 2020-21 STATISTICS GP W L OTL SOL SV% GAA SA GA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 COACHES AND STAFF CHRIS MICHAEL General Manager and Head Coach Chris Michael enters his fourth season with the Stars and was named General Manager and Head Coach on April 7th, 2020. Michael, 38, first joined the Stars as an assistant coach during the 2017-18 season. Prior to his tenure in Lincoln, the Skokie, IL native spent four seasons with the as an assistant coach (2013-14) and associate head coach (2014-17). During his tenure with the Lancers, Michael worked closely with the defensemen and penalty kill units. Michael played two (2) seasons with the from 2000-02 and four (4) seasons at Miami University from 2002-06 where he posted 81 points through 137 games and helped the RedHawks to two (2) appearances in the NCAA Tournament. He began his coaching career in 2008, serving six (6) seasons with the Mission including four (4) as head coach. Michael guided the Mission to a U16 National Championship in 2013. Michael resides in Omaha with his wife, Jill, and son Logan.

NICK PERUZZI Associate Head Coach Nick Peruzzi enters his first season with the Stars after spending the past three seasons with the as an assistant coach and director of scouting. Peruzzi, 28, served as the assistant coach, video coach and recruiting coordinator for the Aston Rebels of the North in 2016-17. With Aston, Peruzzi helped the Rebels to its first NAHL regular-season championship and Robertson Cup Championship appearance in franchise history. As a player, Peruzzi suited up for AAA U16 HoneyBaked and U18 Compuware, as well as the St. Louis Bandits (NAHL).

MICHAEL SDAO Assistant Coach Michael Sdao enters his first year behind the Stars bench as an assistant coach after playing for the Stars from 2007-09. During his tenure in Lincoln, Sdao registered 19 points, a plus-12 rating and 340 penalty minutes in 104 games. He was selected by the with the 191st pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Following his junior career, Sdao played four years of college hockey at Princeton University (he served as an alternate captain from 2011-13). The Bloomington, MN native went on to play eight years of professional hockey, including four seasons in the ECHL and four in the American Hockey League. The 31-year-old was hired as an assistant coach on June 8th.

COREY COURTNEY Athletic Trainer/Strength Coach/Equipment Manager Entering his 21st season with the Stars and 24th in the USHL, Corey Courtney serves as the athletic trainer and equipment manager for team. The Dubuque, Iowa native graduated from St. Mary’s University in conjunction with Winona State University of Winona, MN with a degree in Sports Medicine/Athletic Training. While attending St. Mary’s, Courtney played two years of college hockey. Courtney has been nominated as USHL trainer/equipment manager for three USA Top Prospect tournaments, eight All-Star games, twice nominated as a trainer for the Team USA Viking Cup team; two USA select teams and has served as the trainer for the World Junior Team. Courtney also serves as the Director of Sports Medicine for Lincoln Orthopedic Center, P.C. and Bryan LGH and the athletic trainer for the Lincoln Saltdogs.

Corey resides in Lincoln. He has two daughters, Taylor and Elizabeth, and a son, Nick. BILLY PUGLIESE Director of Scouting Billy Pugliese brings a strong hockey resume to the Stars: as a player, he played for the Green Bay Gamblers, the University of Nebraska-Omaha, the , and the Muskegon Fury. Pugliese was appointed as Lincoln’s Director of Scouting in December of 2018. For all his experience on the ice, he also brings an equally impressive resume off of it. He previously served as the Director of Scouting for the NAHL’s Jamestown Rebels. COACHES AND STAFF JASON POWER Goalie Coach Jason Power enters his first season as the Stars goalie coach following his work in the American Collegiate Hockey Association and North American Hockey League during the 2019-20 campaign. Power, 40, spent the 2019-20 season as an assistant coach with Lindenwood University of the ACHA and a goaltending coach with the Topeka Pilots of the NAHL. Power was named the head coach of Romania’s national U18 team that was scheduled to play at the 2020 IIHF Division II World Championships. He captured a silver medal with Romania at the 2016 D2 World Junior Championship as an assistant coach. The Brindisi, ITA native also served as an assistant coach with the Omaha Lancers in 2018-19. Power began his coaching career in 1999-00 as an assistant varsity coach for O’Fallon Township High School in O’Fallon, IL, his alma mater.

BRIAN KAUFMAN Leadership Development Consultant Brian Kaufman joins the Stars with a variety of coaching experiences over the last eight years. The native of Shoreview, Minnesota played college hockey for Miami (OH) from 2005-09. He was a two-year captain and helped lead the RedHawks to four straight National Tournament appearances, a CCHA championship, and a Frozen Four runner-up finish in 2009. He produced 30 goals and 84 points in 125 career games. After playing two years professionally, he started his coaching career in the NCAA at his alma mater Miami. He then spent five seasons with the Omaha Lancers of the USHL, where he helped to develop players on and off the ice. 21 players from those Lancer teams went on to become captains at the collegiate level. Kaufman then joined the University of Nebraska-Omaha for one season. Kaufman earned his bachelor’s degree in finance in 2009 and his MBA in 2012. He and his wife, Chelsea, have 3 children – Mason, Lilian & Vivian.

CONNOR COURT Director of Hockey Operations Connor enters his first season with the Stars as the Director of Hockey Operations. The 26-year-old Swansea, IL native played Division III college hockey for the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth from 2015-19, where he was named assistant captain his senior season.

He most recently served as an assistant coach for the Neponset Valley Rivers Rats of the Premier Hockey League.

CRISTIANO SIMONETTA Director of Broadcasting and Communications Cristiano Simonetta is in his second season with the Stars after covering the -winning St. Louis Blues for The Athletic in the 2018-19 season. The 24-year-old Carol Stream, IL native broadcasted the 2018 and 2019 ACHA Men’s Division I National Championship games. As a 2018 graduate of the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, Simonetta worked with Illini Hockey for four years, serving as their director of broadcasting and communications.