For the past few seasons, the Chicago Steel have been known as the powerhouse of the USHL, having many players drafted to the NHL level.
Names like Jamie Oleksiak, Jaccob Slavin, John Moore, Brendan Brisson, Owen Power, Matthew Coronato, and many more have all played for the Steel organization.
This upcoming 2022-23 season will be yet another exciting year for the Steel, as there are quite a few new names playing in their first junior hockey season.
Probably the biggest name of them all is Shattuck St. Mary’s star Macklin Celebrini. A native of Vancouver, British Columbia, Celebrini has played in the States since his youth, playing for the San Jose Jr. Sharks. After a season with the Sharks, he moved on to play for the prestigious program known as Shattuck St. Mary’s prep in Minnesota. In his time with the organization, he has posted insane point totals. Playing 102 total games with Shattuck, Celebrini scored 101 goals, 157 assists for 258 total points.
– Steel GM Mike Garman
Committed to Boston University for the 2025-26 season, Celebrini was drafted 1st overall by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the 2021 WHL US prospects draft, but tendered with the Steel instead. Being tendered by a USHL team is a big deal, as the Steel had to give up a first-round selection in the draft. Macklin is widely regarded as a top prospect for the 2024 NHL Draft. He is an elite skater and an all-around offensive gift. His quick release shot is one of his best assets.
Michael Hage is coming to the Steel from the Toronto Jr. Canadiens organization. Eligible for the 2024 NHL draft, Hage is an elite forward who can put up a ton of points. In 57 games for the Canadiens last season, he posted 46 goals, 70 assists for 116 total points. Expect to be a top-five pick in the OHL draft, he was taken 9th overall by the Kitchener Rangers, but later signed a tender with the Steel. Hage had an outstanding OHL Cup tournament, registering seven goals, nine assists for 16 points in seven games played.
Hage is an extremely mature and well rounded forward. One of his best attributes to his game is his skating. His edgework and acceleration is extremely impressive, making him hard to play against with his strong hockey sense and goal-scoring abilities.
Miles Roberts will join the Steel’s goaltending tandem. Roberts is coming to Chicago from Costa Mesa, California. He’s played the past few years with the Anaheim Jr. Ducks, posting impressive numbers. It’s not just his stats that matter though, Robert’s is extremely talented in net and makes fantastic glove saves. This past season, he played 37 games with the Jr. Ducks 16U AAA program, posting a 1.94 GAA and a .929 save percentage.
Notables: Jordan Brisson appeared in eight games for the Steel last season. He is another former Shattuck St. Mary’s forward who will look to make an impact on the Chicago team this upcoming season. The forward is committed to Colorado College. Jordan is the brother of former Chicago Steel star, Brendan Brisson, who was drafted by the Vegas Golden Knights in 2021.
Aiden Celebrini is the brother of Macklin. Both will suit up for the Steel this season. Like his brother, Aiden is also committed to Boston University. Aiden is a defenseman who will look to help out offensively on the Steel’s blueline.
With electric young guns and strong veterans, the Steel have a solid roster for the 2022/23 season.