Miss NHL Hockey? Check out a USHL Game

The folks over at Hockey Pulse have written a nice piece on the USHL,

Jacob Trouba played two seasons in the USHL (Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE)

Now that the 2012-2013 National Hockey League season is almost certainly delayed at least for the foreseeable future, hockey fans will be looking for other venues to channel their emotions and dollars during the long fall and winter months ahead. Once they move past the 'cursing Gary Bettman and/or Don Fehr' anger stage of grief and into the bargaining stage, many will surely be looking for NHL alternatives in order to get their hockey fix during those cold January nights when Iowa versus Michigan college basketball just isn't getting the job done. Luckily for those who either live in the Midwest or are willing to travel to the nation's 'Flyover Country,' there is a great option that often goes overlooked when discussing hockey in North America: The United States Hockey League. No, it cannot replace the level of play of the NHL, but for those with an open mind and a desire to see some of the game's stars at an early age, there is a lot of great hockey that often goes overlooked by those on either coast.

Head downtown to the local hockey arena in cities across Nebraska, Iowa, the Dakotas, and Wisconsin on a Friday or Saturday night throughout the winter and chances are good you'll happen upon a USHL game. In these games, young players who are still in high school suit up alongside 20 year old prospects who have already been drafted by NHL teams. An American from California who came back to the league from an NCAA team while waiting to transfer schools may score a goal against a Canadian goaltender hoping to receive a scholarship from an Ivy League hockey powerhouse. In the stands watching you will find a family of four looking for an affordable night out who may be seated next to a grizzled NHL scout taking a look at his team's next first round draft choice. All of this comes together in an environment replete with history, tradition, and an atmosphere that is more unique than any NHL game outside of Montreal. Interested yet?

Check out the full story here…

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.