Six Michigan natives capture bronze in Russia at Junior Club World Cup

By @MichaelCaples –

The Chicago Steel represented the United States at the 2015 edition of the Junior Club World Cup in Russia this month, and they came home with bronze.

The Steel team – with five Michigan natives on the roster and one on the coaching staff – posted an undefeated 3-0 record in pool play before losing to Sweden’s Djurgarden 5-2 in the semifinals. The U.S. team rebounded, however, and won bronze after a 3-2 victory over Russia Avto in the third-place game.

With the win, the Steel secured a fourth consecutive medal for the USHL and USA Hockey, which is a JCWC tournament record.

The following five players all represented Michigan in the overseas tournament:

• Mitch Lewandowski – Orion, Mich. – Honeybaked alum – ’98 birth-year – Michigan State commit
• Alex Frye – Clarkston, Mich. – Orchard Lake St. Mary’s alum – ’98 birth-year – uncommitted
• Bryan Basilico – Rochester, Mich. – Trail Smoke Eaters (BCHL) alum – ’95 birth-year – Lake Superior State commit
• Marcel Godbout – Center Line, Mich. – Shattuck St. Mary’s alum – ’96 birth-year – Michigan State commit
• John Lethemon – Farmington – Farmington High School alum – ’96 birth-year – Michigan State commit

Assistant coach Peter Mannino also hails from Michigan; the Farmington Hills native joined the Steel coaching staff this summer after a hockey career that spanned the NCAA (University of Denver), NHL, AHL and ECHL.