Pros
LOCAL PLAYERS SUIT UP FOR THE BUCS The Des Moines Buccaneers are optimistic that their Iowan players will make a late season push Scott Montesano | Sports Spotlight Contributor
Iowans love to feel a connection to their athletes and the notion of supporting the “Hometown Star” is a given. No matter the level of competition, the citizens of this state want to be able to relate to those they are cheering and finding that connection has rarely been difficult except when it comes to the sport of hockey. Though hockey has proven itself to be a popular spectator sport in the state (approximately 400,000 people attended United States Hockey League games in Iowa in 2011-2012), current Florida Panther goaltender, and Urbandale native, Scott Clemmensen remains the lone Iowa-born National Hockey League player. Des Moines Buccaneers’ forward Willem Nong-Lambert may one day change that statistic but at the very least he is showing that the sport has potential beyond just spectators in the state. A product of both the Des Moines Youth Hockey system and the Des Moines Capitals high school team, the 19-year old Nong-Lambert made the jump to Junior A hockey this season. He was signed by the United States
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Hockey League’s Green Bay Gamblers but acquired by the Buccaneers’ in a trade on October 11th and almost immediately made an impact. He scored a goal in seven of his first 12 games, including a franchise-record six-game goal scoring streak in late November. That streak was capped by a game winner late in regulation on November 21st at home against Waterloo. “We knew the potential he had but to be honest, we didn’t expect it so soon” says Buccaneers’ head coach Jon Rogger. Even as the calendar flips to February, he continued to lead the league in shooting percentage and the Buccaneers in goals scored. Central Iowa natives have made appearances with the Buccaneers Nong-Lambert throughout the team’s 30 + year his- for the Buccaneers Photo courtesy of Bryce tory, though Nong-Lambert is the Loshman first since the 2008-2009 campaign and his presence is a long way from a
publicity stunt. He entered the month of February tied for the team lead in goals (12) and verbally committed to Division I Western Michigan University in late January. “We’re in the business of winning games and (Willem) wouldn’t be here if he couldn’t help us achieve that” notes Rogger. Even if Nong-Lambert’s career peaks at Western Michigan, it will be quite the accomplishment. Unlike sports such as basketball, in which well over 300 colleges sport Division I basketball programs, hockey is much more selective. Only a few dozen schools play at the Division I level with precise limited scholarships to pass around. Nonetheless, dreams of reaching the NHL are alive in every player in the
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