How 'Compete Week' Turned Chicago's Season Around
The Chicago Steel have gone 17-9-2-2 since January 13
Photo courtesy of the Chicago Steel - How 'Compete Week' Turned Chicago's Season AroundGoing into the 2023-24 season, it was fair to expect an adjustment period for the new-look Chicago Steel.
The team faced a challenging start to the year, having turned over their entire top-six forwards group from the previous season, including USHL Player, Forward, and Rookie of the Year Macklin Celebrini.
Despite winning their season opener, the Steel encountered a ten-game losing streak and were at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a record of 10-17-1-2 after the first 30 games.
"When we weren't getting the results, when we weren't winning very often, it just felt very touch-and-go," Steel head coach and general manager Mike Garman said in an interview with The Hockey News. "I thought our players did a great job of just working through that and leading us through that."
However, the team bounced back with renewed vigor after the holiday break, but their performance was still inconsistent.
To address the issue, Chicago dedicated an entire week of practice to internal competition. The team was split into two groups, and the competition was both on-ice and off-ice. This arduous effort paid off and resulted in a significant improvement in the Steel's game.
"There was a lot on the line, we'll say," Garman said of compete week. "The staff put in a ton of work to make it really fun and a cool experience, where I think our players felt that and did an excellent job of working through that in competing and taking on a full-week challenge."
Over the next 30 games, Chicago went 17-9-2-2, attaining as high as fifth place in the Eastern Conference. The Steel also clinched their eighth-straight postseason berth.
"From there, I felt like our game became more and more consistent with the way that we wanted to play—just a huge credit to the staff and the players for taking on that week. Now, in hindsight, it really does look like a big turning point in the season."
Michael Hage and his linemates, Mick Thompson and Charlie Major, and Louka Cloutier's rise in net have played an integral role in the second-half turnaround.
Hage, who missed most of the previous season due to a shoulder injury, has played his best hockey, with 23 goals and 50 points in 29 games since the holiday break.
"How he's grown this year has really been amazing to see, and he's getting rewarded with his points," Garman said of Hage. "More importantly, he's just playing a more complete game.
"Him and his linemates are leading our team just in the way that they're working and competing. It's great to see him getting the production, but I would argue it more has to do with they're playing a more honest brand of hockey."
Thompson has 16 goals and 45 points in the second half and 63 points overall. Likewise, Major has 18 goals and 49 points since the holiday break and 70 total points in his second USHL season.
Cloutier's emergence from backup to starting netminder has been remarkable. He has compiled a 14-14-2-3 record with one shutout, a 3.68 goals-against average, and a 0.904 save percentage this season.
Cloutier has collected 12 of those wins in the second half, with a 3.33 goals-against average and a 0.912 save percentage in 24 games.
"What he's done as a 2006 birth year in this league is really impressive, and he's had to do a lot without much choice," Garman said.
"He's been kind of thrown in the fire in a bunch of different situations, and the way he's responded is very cool to see. Huge credit to Louka (Cloutier) for the growth and development he's had this year. He's a very good goalie. He's an exceptional person and teammate and worker, like the guys love him.
"His growth has been great to see, and I truly believe this year will be a huge foundational piece for him in his career going forward."
The Steel will wrap up their regular season this weekend with two home games against Muskegon, a team they could potentially see in the first round of the Clark Cup Playoffs beginning Monday.
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