Hockey
DeSimone surprised by Player of the Year honor
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Phil DeSimone

In the back of Phil DeSimone's mind, he thought maybe there was a chance he could win United States Hockey League Player of the Year, but when the former East Amherst resident heard the news, he was surprised.

"I wasn't even really thinking about it. In the back of my mind, I thought maybe I was in the running for it but I didn't expect to win it by any means," said DeSimone, who centers the top line for the Sioux City Musketeers in Sioux City, Iowa.

The USHL is the top junior hockey league in the country.

DeSimone, who also earned USHL Offensive Player of the Year honors, finished the regular season second in the league in scoring with 26 goals and 47 assists for 73 points. He was also a plus-13. He is the third Musketeer to earn Player of the Year and top forward honors.

DeSimone is also the leading scorer in the USHL in the postseason with six goals and five assists. Sioux City was eliminated on Monday by Tri-City four games to three in a best of seven series in the first round of the West Division Clark Cup.

DeSimone credits gaining 15 pounds of muscle in the offseason - he now weighs 193 pounds - and being mentally focused for his success. He's also had good linemates. Linemate Max Pacioretty earned the league's Rookie of the Year honors with 21 goals and 42 assists for 63 points.

"Max is a great player and is probably going to be a first-round NHL draft pick," said DeSimone. "The chemistry with Max and Blake Martin since August has been there. They're probably the best wingers I've ever played with."

DeSimone, 20, finished his three-year career with Sioux City with 56 goals and 92 assists for 135 points. He will be headed this fall on a full scholarship to play for the University of New Hampshire. DeSimone said the University of New Hampshire coaching staff expects him to come in and play a big role, which is fine by him.

"I'm an older freshman and I think the experience from playing in the USHL should really make it a more easier adjustment than if I was coming right out of high school," said DeSimone. "It's made me more mature on and off the ice."

DeSimone has played hockey since age 6 and played travel hockey with the Amherst Knights and Buffalo Regals. He attended Nichols his freshman and sophomore years of high school, lived in Canada for the first half of his junior year, playing in the Western Junior "B" league of the Ontario Hockey Association, and transferred to Williamsville South for the second half of his junior year. Between his junior and senior year, DeSimone was drafted 21st out of 200 players to Sioux City.

His ultimate goal is to play in the NHL. This is his last year of eligibility to get drafted.

"I can't worry about it, but if it happens, it happens," he said.