Men's Ice Hockey 12/23/2022 12:30:00 PM Chicago Steel

FIVE STEEL ALUMNI TO PARTICIPATE IN WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Lipkin, Ufko Blake selected for USA; Fantilli for Team Canada; Becar for Slovakia

GENEVA, ILLINOIS—Five Chicago Steel alumni will represent their countries at the World Junior Championship in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, Canada from Monday, Dec. 26 to Thursday, Jan. 5.

The IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) World Junior Championship is an annual event for U20 ice hockey teams from all over the world. This year will be the 47^th year of the tournament. Last year, Team Canada won gold with Finland capturing silver and Sweden bronze.

Jackson Blake, Ryan Ufko and Sam Lipkin will represent Team USA. Adam Fantilli will represent Team Canada, and Simon Becar will represent Team Slovakia.

Forward Jackson Blake, a University of North Dakota freshman and Carolina Hurricanes prospect (2021, Round 4, #109 overall), has recorded 21 points (9G, 12A) in 19 games played this season. Last season with the Steel, Blake registered 77 points (27G, 50A) in 61 games played. Blake was part of the 2020-2021 Clark Cup Championship team, scoring the game-winning goal in the Cup-clinching Game 4 of the series.

Defenseman Ryan Ufko, a University of Massachusetts sophomore and Nashville Predators prospect (2021, Round 4, #115 overall), has recorded 13 points (3G, 10A) in 16 games played this season. In the Steel's 2020-2021 season, Ufko registered 39 points (10G, 29A) in 53 games. In the 2020-2021 season, Ufko was named to the All-USHL First Team.

Forward Sam Lipkin, a Quinnipiac University freshman and Arizona Coyotes prospect (2021, Round 7, #223 overall), has recorded 19 points (5G, 14A) in 18 games played this season. Last season with the Steel, Lipkin registered 71 points (36G, 35A) in 59 games played. Lipkin, part of the 2020-2021 Clark Cup Championship team, holds one of the best overall plus/minus records in franchise history with +31.

Forward Adam Fantilli, a University of Michigan freshman, has recorded 26 points (11G, 15A) in 16 games played. Last season with the Steel, Fantilli registered 74 points (37G, 37A) in 54 games played. Fantilli, playoff MVP during the 2020-2021 Clark Cup Championship season, is among franchise overall point leaders with 110 points (55G, 55A) in his two seasons with the team. In the 2020-2021 season, he was named to the USHL All-Rookie Second Team. He is a top prospect for the 2023 NHL Draft.

Forward Simon Becar played 11 games with the Steel last season and is committed to University of Maine.

The Steel will face off against the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Wednesday, Dec. 28 at ImOn Ice Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

The Steel will return to Fox Valley Ice Arena on Friday, Dec. 30 when they host the Green Bay Gamblers. It's a Slumberland Furniture Family Pack Game, a special offer for fans which includes four tickets, four chips, four sodas/waters and four chuck-a-pucks for just $50. After the game, fans can take the ice for a post-game skate.

Tickets for all Steel home games start at just $10 and are
available by calling 855-51-STEEL, purchasing at ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com or visiting the Steel box office at Fox Valley Ice Arena during business hours.

All Chicago Steel tickets are digital and available on mobile devices. Fans should create their profile online by clicking here. For more information on digital tickets for the Chicago Steel, click here. Fans attending this weekend's games and all Steel home games this season are encouraged to purchase tickets prior to arriving at the arena to avoid any delays on game night.

Season ticket plans starting at 5 games for just $50 and group tickets and experiences are on sale now by calling 855-51-STEEL or emailing info@ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

Chicago Steel Upcoming Schedule presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:
Wednesday, December 28 at Cedar Rapids Roughriders (7:05 p.m. CT)
Friday, December 30 vs Green Bay Gamblers (6:05 p.m. CT) - Slumberland Family Pack Game | Post-Game Skate for Fans
Saturday, December 31 at Green Bay Gamblers (6:05 p.m. CT)
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