News, Weather and Sports for Sioux City, IA: KCAU-TV.comMusketeers Add Depth on the Blue Line

Musketeers Add Depth on the Blue Line

By Tim Seaman:
tseaman@kcautv.com

Sioux City Musketeers Head Coach and General Manager Brett Larson announced Wednesday that the team has acquired defenseman Michael Holland from the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders in exchange for a 4th round draft pick in the 2012 USHL Entry Draft.   The 19-year old is in his second season in the United States Hockey League and has 64 games of experience with both Cedar Rapids and the Chicago Steel.   The Atkinson, NH native played 21 games this season for the RoughRiders and registered one goal, one assist and 46 penalty minutes.   "Michael's a tough, physical, stay-at-home defenseman that's going to be able to defend well and make a good first pass," said Larson. "He's got experience in the league and that's something we were looking to address on our blueline."   After being drafted by Chicago in the 18th round (249th overall) in the 2010 USHL Entry Draft, Holland played 22 games for the Steel in 2010-11 before being dealt to Cedar Rapids mid-season.   He played 21 games down the stretch for the Anderson Cup winning RoughRiders, notching 3 assists, 10 penalty minutes, and a +6 rating while suiting up for all eight playoff games.   Holland, who is uncommitted, returned to Cedar Rapids for a second season in 2011-12 and Sioux City will be his third USHL team.   "I knew that there was a good possibility that I was getting traded but it happened fast and it was a pretty quick turnaround but I was excited to hear the news," said the 6'1", 197 pound Holland, who arrived in Sioux City today. "It's a fresh start, Sioux City is playing well and I'm excited to be a part of it."   The move became necessary with the Musketeers down to five healthy defenseman after losing Andy Ryan to a shoulder injury in the December 30th game against Tri-City.   "Our defensive core is a bit depleted right now with Ryan and Sam Piazza both out of the lineup for an extended period of time," said Larson. "We definitely needed some help back there and I think Michael will be able to play a big role."   To make room on the roster for Holland, the Musketeers were forced to drop Jackson Leef who was Sioux City's highest drafted player in the 2011 USHL Entry Draft and sat fifth in team scoring at the time of his departure.   "We had to drop somebody, the roster is full, and Jackson was the odd man out which is too bad," said Larson on the decision. "When you're put in a position where you have to get a defenseman in you have to do what you have to do. It's hard because Jackson is a good kid and a big part of the team but we felt it was the right move."   This is the second trade of the season between Sioux City and Cedar Rapids as the Musketeers traded goaltender Jake Hildebrand to the RoughRiders on September 24th.   Holland will make his Musketeer debut on Friday night in Fargo and will wear number 24.