USA Hockey and the Des Moines Buccaneers announced today that defenseman Jeff Petry has been named the 2007 USA Hockey Junior Player of the Year.  He will be honored June 6 at the Sheraton Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado during the 2007 USA Hockey Annual Congress.  It is also the second consecutive year that a Buccaneer has won the prestigious award. 

Petry, a native of Farmington Hills, Michigan played two seasons for the Buccaneers.  In 2005-06, he appeared in 48 games and posted 1 goal and 14 assists.  Additionally, he played in the USHL Prospects/All-Star game, verbally committed to Michigan State University and would go on to be drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the second round (45th overall) in the 2006 NHL draft.

In 2006-07, he appeared in 55 games and saw his point production jump to 18 goals and 27 assists and again was selected to the USHL Prospects/All-Star game.  Jeff was also named All-USHL First Team and USHL Defenseman of the Year.

"Jeff has had a great career in the Des Moines and is very deserving of this award," said head coach and general manager Regg Simon.  "His development over the past two seasons has been astounding.  From coming here as an unknown, to seeing him get a scholarship, to being a high NHL draft pick, and now this…it’s really special."

The 2006 Junior Player of the Year recipient was Buccaneers’ forward Trevor Lewis (Salt Lake City, Utah).  That season he was also named All-USHL First Team, USHL Forward of the Year and the USHL Curt Hammer Award winner (for on and off ice dedication).  Lewis went on to be a first round (17th overall) draft pick by the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings and signed a contract with the Kings right after his second season with the Buccaneers.  He was the first player to ever sign a NHL contract directly out of the USHL.

"It's an honor for our players to win the award two years in a row, but what it really tells me is that we as a league are developing talent not just for college hockey, but for professional hockey as well," added coach Simon.  "Look at some of the past winners.  Joe Pavelski, Ryan Potulny and Jason Blake are all playing in the NHL.  Nate Dicasmiro, Karl Goehring and Trevor Lewis are in the AHL.  Jeff Lerg just won a NCAA National Championship with Michigan State.  It's pretty apparent that if you win this award, you have to be a very deserving player."

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