January 8, 2008
By John Montalbano
Andy Miele set the all-time goal scoring record for the Chicago Steel Saturday and is now leaving the team to begin his college career at Miami University.
The Chicago Steel have a new record holder in their history book. Now in their 8th season, the record for most goals scored by a player in a Steel uniform was tied and broken on Saturday night at The Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville.
In order to break this record Chicago Steel Forward Andy Miele had to score three goals in his last two games playing for the Steel. Miele is off to Miami University to join the RedHawks for the second half of their season. The RedHawks are currently ranked second in the country.
Going into the weekend, Miele had 40 goals in 72 games with the Steel, just three short of the record that was held by Rene Gauthier. During Gauthier's three seasons (2000-2003) with the Steel he played in 135 games scoring 42 goals. Friday night versus the Des Moines Buccaneers, Miele got the game-winning goal in a game the Steel won 2-1, for the 41st goal of his Steel career.
Saturday night, the Steel faced off against Des Moines for the second time in as many nights. The Steel were not only looking to extend their winning streak to five games, but also to help Miele, the USHL's leading scorer, set a new personal and team record of 43 goals. The Steel got on the board first with a goal from Drew LeBlanc, followed by Miele's 42nd career goal later in the second. With a 2-0 lead going into the third period, his teammates' goal was to secure the win and to get another goal for Miele.
Eleven minutes into the third the Buccaneers were able to get one past Steel goaltender Rob Madore, and the game was 2-1. At the 18:45 mark in the third, Des Moines pulled their goalie and Steel coach Steve Poapst sent the line of Miele, Brian O'Neill and Brian Dowd on the ice to try and secure the win and the record. After a few attempts and very unselfish play from his linemates, Miele netted his second of the game, and the team-record breaking 43rd goal.
When Steel Head Coach Steve Poapst was asked about coaching Andy, and watching him break the record, he said that "Andy was a big piece of the puzzle and we will miss him, not only on the ice but in the locker room. He is a leader that has grown since the beginning of the year; he is someone who we could count on a nightly basis to contribute to the team. Andy is ready to make the next step and I think he will contribute at the next level just like he did here. I am happy for him that he broke the record and it was great to see how hard the guys worked to help him do so. As much as he helped them, he helped himself and he earned the opportunity to break the record. We wish him the best of luck with everything."
When asked about Miele, Assistant Coach of the Steel Jon Waibel said "breaking the record couldn't happen to a better kid. Andy will be able to step right in and contribute at Miami. They are getting a great player and good kid. The way Andy left the team, breaking the scoring record, it was very fitting for the way he has played since he joined the team. It was a privilege and an honor to coach Andy."
Miele finishes his USHL career with 139 Games Played, 125 Points, 60 Goals, 65 Assists a plus/minus rating of minus-11, 204 PIM, 17 PPG, 25 PPA, 52 PPP, 4 SHG, 1 SHA, 5 SHP, 350 SOG and a 17.1 shooting percentage.
On behalf of the Chicago Steel organization and its fans, we would all like to wish Andy the best of luck in his hockey future.
