U.S. Hockey Report
- Select 16's: Sat. June 23 to Thurs. June 28
- Select 17's: Sat. June 30 to Thurs. July 5
- Select 15's: Sat. Aug. 4 to Thurs. Aug 9
- Box Score: U.S. vs. Kazakhstan
- 12/23/00
- 12/13/00
- Bochenski a Hot Property
- Brandon Bochenski, who lit it up in Minnesota last winter while playing for Blaine HS, has Div. I programs all over him in the wake of an outstanding showing at the Top Prospects Tournament. Bochenski, who is 6'1", 180 lbs., is not the greatest skater around, but he has hands, a shot, is very good in traffic, and has a real nose for the net, as evidenced by his 22 goals in his last 22 games. Schools interested in Bochenski are Michigan, Michigan State, Colorado College, Minnesota, Minnesota-Duluth, Denver, St. Cloud State, Maine, and North Dakota.
- Speaking of North Dakota, Chris Fournier, who's Lincoln's all-time leading scorer, will be going there next year. Fournier, an '82 is a 5'7", 185 lb. native of Anchorage, Alaska, where he played for the Alaska All-Stars organization. In 16 games with Lincoln this season, Fournier has a 7-15-22 line.
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- 12/13/00
- Guerriero a Husky
- Texas Tornado center Jason Guerriero has committed to Northeastern University. Guerriero, a 5'8" left-shot center, is a native of Manorville, NY, which is on Long Island, and after playing in Dubuque for a year has played the last two in Texas. He's a pesky center, the kind of player you love to have on your team, but can't stand as an opponent. In other words, he plays with a chip on his shoulder. In the Select 17 Festival a couple of summers ago he scored the OT game-winner to give the New York team the gold medal. Right now, he's among the top three scorers in the NAHL with a 15-26-41 line in 24 games played. In addition to Northeastern, Guerrerio visited UNH and Ferris State.
- Guerrerio is the second forward to commit to the Huskies recently. Preceding him was Jaron Herriman, a 6'0", 185 lb. RW/RC from the Cambridge Winterhawks of Ontario's Mid-Western Junior Hockey League. Harriman is not particularly flashy but he has good hands, good vision and a strong sense of the game.
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- 12/10/00
- Cushing Tops New England Prep Poll
- Cushing, coming off a 7-4 win at Exeter yesterday, takes the top spot in the first regular-season New England Prep Poll.
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- Full Poll: Dec. 10, 2000
- 12/08/00
- The Russians are Coming
- A Russian Select team is arriving in Minneapolis tonight for a five game swing, with four games against WCHA schools and one against the U.S. Under-18 Team. The Russian team is drawn primarily from the St. Petersburg that plays in the Russian elite league. The birthdates of the players range from '72 to '83. There are six NHL draftees on the squad, and all but one are named Alexander or Igor. They are:
- Artem Kryukov, '82 C (Buffalo, 1st round, 2000)
- Alexander Shinkar, '81 RW (Toronto, 8th round, 2000)
- Alexander Drozdetski, '81 LW (Philadelphia, 3rd round, 2000)
- Alexander Suglobov, '82 LC (New Jersey, 2nd round, 2000)
- Alexander Chagodaev, '81 LC (Anaheim, 4th round, 1999)
- Igor Radulov, '82 LW (Chicago, 3rd round, 2000)
- Igor Samoilov, '82 D (Phoneix, 7th round, 2000)
- In addition, there are three '83s on the team, including 6'2" LD Fedor Tyutin, currently ranked #11 (of Russian players only) in the preliminary rankings of the NHL's Central Scouting Service. The other two '83s are 5'9" Yuri Trubachev, a LC four slots in back of Tyutin; and 5'11" forward Konstantin Bogdanovski, who is unranked.
- The schedule:
- Sun. 12/10 -- at Minnesota, 7:05 pm
- Tues. Dec. 12 -- at Wisconsin, 7:05 pm
- Wed. Dec. 13 -- at U.S. Under-18 Team, 7:05 pm
- Mon. Dec. 18 -- at St. Cloud State, 7:05 pm
- Tues. 12/19 -- at Mankato State, 7:05 pm
- The U.S. Under-18 Team will face a couple of nights of stiff competition next week. On Tuesday night Dec.12th they play the University of Michigan; the next night, it's the Russians.
12/08/00
Smaagaard Out for Year
Eden Prairie forward Garrett Smaagaard, a University of Minnesota recruit and a big reason why we picked Eden Prairie to win it all this year, suffered a torn ACL in the Minnesota state high school football final, won by Eden Prairie. Smaagard finished the game and the full extent of his injury was not revealed until an MRI was done later.
12/05/00
U.S. World Junior Team Named
The final 22-man roster for the U.S. World Junior Team was announced today. Here it is.
Goaltenders (2): Rick DiPietro (Chicago Wolves/ N.Y. Islanders); Craig Kowalski (Northern Michigan).
Defensemen (7): J.D. Forrest (Boston College); Tim Gleason (Windsor -- OHL); Ron Hainsey (UMass-Lowell); David Hale (North Dakota); Mike Komisarek (Michigan); Paul Martin (Minnesota); Freddy Meyer (Boston University).
Forwards (13): Marc Cavosie (RPI); Jon DiSalvatore (Providence College); Connor Dunlop (Notre Dame); Rob Globke (Notre Dame); Andy Hilbert (Michigan); Brett Nowak (Harvard); Troy Riddle (Minnesota); John Sabo (Boston University); David Steckel (Ohio State); Damian Surma (Plymouth -- OHL); Jeff Taffe (Minnesota); R.J. Umberger (Ohio State); Kris Vernarsky (Plymouth -- OHL).
Head Coach: Keith Allain. Assistants: Jim Johnson, Tim Taylor, and Red Gendron.
Notes:
Of the 22-man roster, 16 players are '81s. There are five 82's (Komisarek, Globke, Steckel, Umberger, and Vernarsky). One player, Gleason, is an '83.
Seven players are returnees from last year: DiPietro, Hainsey, Dunlop, Hilbert, Nowak, Sabo, and Taffe. Hilbert is the only player to be making his third appearance at the World Juniors.
Of the 14 NHL draftees on the team, four -- DiPietro, Hainsey, Hale, and Taffe -- were selected in the first round of June's NHL draft. DiPietro, of course, was the #1 overall pick.
Twelve of the players on the squad are graduates of the National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor.
Notable omissions? Basically, there weren't many. Judging from reports from around the country, the team, to a large extent, seems to have picked itself. On the blueline, though, Omaha Lancers D Keith Ballard and Portland (WHL) D Joey Hope are big omissions. Right behind them would have been Minnesota's Matt DeMarchi. Other D-men who received consideration were the USNTDP's Ryan Whitney, an '83; Barrie Colts (OHL) Tim Branham; and Wisconsin's Brian Fahey.
Among forwards who didn't make the cut were BC's Ben Eaves, Michigan State's Jeremy Jackson, St. Cloud State's Matt Hendricks, BU's Gregg Johnson, Omaha Lancers' Dan Welch, and Wisconsin's Brad Winchester.
Top goaltending prospect Jason Bacashihua, an '82 from the Chicago Freeze (NAHL), also didn't make the cut, though he likely would have been Kowalski's backup if DiPietro hadn't been available.
The squad will assemble in West Point, N.Y. on Dec. 15 for two days of training before heading overseas to play two exhibition games in Finland (12/17 vs. Finland, and 12/22 vs. Switzerland) before beginning competition for real on Dec. 26 against Kazakhstan. The tournament runs until Jan. 5, 2001.
Last year at Skelleftea, Sweden, the U.S. finished in fourth place, with a 2-3-2 record.
12/04/00
Minnesota's Top 65
Here's our checklist of the Top 65 players playing high school/prep hockey in the state of Minnesota. Everyone on this list is a legit Div. I/Junior A prospect -- for next year in the case of the seniors, and two or three years down the line in the case of everyone else.
There are 65 players we've identified: 36 are seniors, 16 are juniors, nine are sophomores, and four are freshmen. As the season moves along, we're certain to discover more, and you'll hear about it in these pages. This, basically, is a pre-season checklist, a jumping-off point for evaluating players over the coming winter.
- 12th Grade ('01):
- Eric Aarnio, G, White Bear Lake
- John Adams, D, Breck
- Jake Brenk, D, Breck
- Mike Dagel, D, Greenway
- Matt Duncan, F, Bloomington-Jefferson
- Mike Erickson, F, Eden Prairie
- Mike Forconi, F, Greenway
- Tom Gilbert, D, Bloomington-Jefferson
- Adam Gronlund, G, Coon Rapids
- Tim Hambly, D, White Bear Lake
- Dan Hoehne, G, Duluth East
- Jeff Jakaitis, G, Rochester Mayo
- Bill Jenkins, D, Edina
- Adam Johnson, F, Armstong
- Christian Kapsen, G, Edina
- Travis Kieffer, C, Hastings
- Cole Koidahl, F, Minneapolis South
- Tom Kolar, F, Duluth East
- Beau Kretzman, F, Edina
- Dan Kronick, F, Holy Angels
- Dan Kuhl, G, Eden Prairie
- Jeff McFarland, F, Wayzata
- Kyle Menken, F, Wayzata
- Critter Nagurski, International Falls
- C.J. Nibbe, F, Breck
- Eric Olson, Red Wing
- Connor Phippen, Holy Angels
- Mike Polansky, F, Blake
- Vince Pulera, F, Shattuck-St. Mary's
- Marty Sertich, F, Roseville
- Garrett Smaagard, F, Eden Prairie
- Andrew Stearns, F, Wadena
- Judd Stevens, D, Wayzata
- Trevor Stewart, C, Elk River
- Weston Tardy, D, Duluth East
- Jake Taylor, D, Rochester Lourdes
- 11th Grade ('02):
- Tom Anderson, G, Roseville
- David Boguslawski, F, Cottage Grove
- Rob Dubel, D, Maple Grove
- Gino Guyer, F, Greenway
- Tyler Hirsch, F, Shattuck-St. Mary's
- Nick Licari, C, Duluth East
- James Martin, D, Buffalo
- Ryan Miller, F, Fergus Falls
- Matt Miskovich, F, Grand Rapids
- Adam Olson, F, Alexandria
- Zach Parisé, F, Shattuck-St. Mary's
- Nick Pernula, C, Osseo
- J.P. Platisha, F, Brainard
- Ian Ross, F, Hibbing
- Andy Sertich, D/F, Greenway
- Jeff Snyder, F, Stillwater
- 10th Grade ('03):
- Jon Anderson, G, White Bear Lake
- Josh Budish, C, Edina
- Corey Carlson, F, Two Harbors
- Tom Dickhudt, C, Hill-Murray
- Mike Franks, C, Burnsville
- Brenden Goetz, G, Burnsville
- Ben Hendrick, F, Anoka
- Mike Howe, F, St. Cloud Apollo
- Kevin Johnson, G, Wayzata
- Nate Raduns, F, Sauk Rapids
- Scott Thauwald, C, Rochester
- 9th Grade ('04):
- Aaron Bader, F, Shattuck-St. Mary's
- Zack Fitzgerald, D, Duluth East
12/2/00
Eden Prairie on Top in Minnesota
Last year, we had Eden Prairie and Elk River #1-#2 in our Minnesota high school pre-season poll. We were on the money, too, for that's where they sat throughout the winter. Then came the sectionals. There, on the last night of February, Elk River blew a 4-0 lead and wound up losing to Osseo 5-4 in double overtime on a Matt Wilmes goal. The next night, Eden Prairie was victimized, losing 4-3 to Edina as Steve Cornelius scored at 1:05 of the fourth overtime. Suddenly, the field was wide open -- and Blaine emerged as the ultimate winner.
This season, on paper and ice, anyway, Eden Prairie is the team to beat. We see them cruising to the state title.
In class A Breck took home the bacon, and, with players such as d-men John Adams and Jake Brenk, both 6'2", and forward C.J. Nibbe, they are the odds-on favorite to do it again. If they were a Class AA team, they'd be in our top 10, and might even crack the top five.
2000-01 Minnesota Class AA Pre-Season Poll
#1 Eden Prairie: Despite losing key players such as defenseman Colin Peters, who's at St. Cloud State now, Eden Prairie returns University of Minnesota-bound forwards Mike Erickson and Garrett Smaagaard, both of whom played on the State Champion Eden Prairie football team, and will now be going for the double. Eden Prairie is solid in net with senior Dan Kuhl. While this team is not as strong as last year's, neither is the rest of the state.
#2 Greenway: This team has five players who played at one time or another in the USA Select Festivals. And then there's the Guyer factor, with one of Minnesota’s -- and the nation’s -- top players in highly skilled (junior) Gino Guyer who has played in select International tournaments with the US National Program, younger brother Andrew Guyer, a sophomore defenseman, cousin Jamie Guyer, and premier coach Pat Guyer. Lets not forget the rest of this highly skilled bunch, either. Every team would love to have junior forward/defenseman Andy Sertich, senior defenseman Mike Dagel and senior power forward Mike Forconi on their team.
#3 Duluth East: There are several major reasons why the Hounds could reach the State Tournament, which will be played this year -- and probably for many years to come -- in St. Paul’s state-of-the-art new arena, the Excel Energy Center, home of the Minnesota Wild. One reason is Coach Mike Randolph, who has coached many tournament teams, and a bunch of players who went on to Division 1 play. Another reason is the forwards, starting with Nick Licari, a playmaker and goal scorer, and Tommy Kolar. On defense, keep an eye on Weston Tardy, and youngster Zack Fitzgerald, who should fill in nicely for Tom Sawatske, who's with the US National Program now. In goal, Dan Hoehne is the man.
#4 Edina: Should be solid with top forward Beau Kretzman, who was sharp at the USA Select 17 festival this past summer, and Steve Eastman, also a forward. On the blue line, watch Bill Jenkins. In goal, returnee Chris Kaspen is a good one.
#5 Bloomington Jefferson: Back again -- it's his 28th year -- is coach Tom Saterdalen and two of Minnesota's top players in forward Matt Duncan and defenseman Tom Gilbert, both of whom were excellent at the USA Select 17 Festival in St. Cloud. Another forward opponents will be keeping an eye on is Mike Bernhagen.
#6 Hill Murray: Always solid -- year in and out -- and they consistently find ways to make it to the tournament. Top returning players are Matt Schillings and Kyle Hotzinger. Forward Tom Dickhudt has returned to the team after playing last season at Woodbury. If he can stay out of the box, he will be a strong addition.
#7 Rochester Mayo: Has 14 returning players back from last year's State Tournament team. Senior Sam Everson and goaltender Jeff Jakatitis, who has received some strong USHL attention, are players to watch. Another is forward Scott Thauwald, who will add to the scoring punch.
#8 White Bear Lake: Behind the bench is former Golden Gophers player and coach Bill Butters. On the blueline is one Minnesota's best in Tim Hambly, who played in the USHL this fall. That experience should help him guide this team to the Excel Energy Center in March. Along with the strong supporting cast, there's a good mix of young players and veterans. They are strong in goal with senior Eric Aarnio and sophomore Jon Anderson.
#9 Hastings: Should have depth up front, with two of their top scorers back in the persons of Casey Welch and Travis Kieffer. Even though Hastings should be deep, goaltending could be a weak spot. However the road to the state tournament is easier then it would be if they were in any other section.
#10 Wayzata: Is the darkhorse of the top ten. They have highly skilled, tough defenseman Judd Stevens, who opened the eyes of a lot of college recruiters at the USA Select 17 Festival in July. Stevens, who is likely to receive a Division 1 scholarship this season, played in 10 games for USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers this fall. Another Wayzata returnee is Jeff McFarland, a playmaker who can finish, too. Others to keep an eye on include Kyle Menken and Joe Cummings.
Other Teams to Watch: Elk River ,Holy Angels, Roseau, Hibbing, Cloquet, Blaine, Burnsville, Roseville.
11/30/00
Umberger Top-Ranked Collegian in CSB's Preliminary Rankings
The NHL's Central Scouting Bureau released its preliminary rankings earlier today and Ohio State left-shot center R.J. Umberger heads up the list of draft-eligible players currently in the NCAA ranks. Immediately following Umberger in the rankings are #2 Michael Komisarek, a RD at Michigan; #3 Dennis Packard, a LW at Harvard; and #4 Rob Globke, a RW at Notre Dame who would have to opt-in to be eligible for the June draft. All four of the above-named players were teammates in the U.S. National Team Development Program. Rounding out the Top 5 is a Canadian, Boston College RW Chuck Kobasew, a native of Osoyoos, British Columbia
Players in American high school and junior leagues, are rated as "A" or "B" prospects and listed alphabetically, though this will all change with the Bureau's mid-season rankings, to be released in January.
Not surprisingly, the USHL leads all U.S. Jr. A and high school leagues with 12 "A" prospects (three are opt-ins). The New England Preps have five "A" prospects (two are opt-ins). Minnesota High Schools have four "A" prospects (three are opt-ins). The NAHL has three "A" prospects (one is an opt-in). The EJHL has two "A" prospects (one is an opt-in). The AWHL has no "A" prospects right now, but might by the end of the season.
There are a number of top-ranked Americans playing major junior we should take note of. In the OHL, Michigan native Tim Gleason, a defenseman for the Windsor Spitfires, is ranked #4, while Toronto St. Mike's D Mark Popovic, a dual citizen, comes next at #5. Over in the WHL, Prince Albert centerman Greg Watson, another dual citizen, is ranked #3 in the league; LW Jake Riddle, a former USNTDP player from Minneapolis, Minn., is ranked #16; and Medicine Hat center Ryan Hollweg, a Californian, checks in at #25. The fourth-ranked netminder in the WHL is Anchorage, Alaska native Steve Belanger, another former USNTDP player.
Of the current players in the U.S. National Program, six are considered "A" prospects: LW Lee Falardeau, C Brian McConnell, LW Eric Nystrom; LW Jason Ryznar, RW Barry Tallackson, and D Ryan Whitney. All are '83s and opt-ins.
Anyway, here is the full list of North American players broken down into five groupings.
(Note: We posted the rankings last night as Microsoft Word attachments. However, we took them down when some people reported a virus, which turned out to be totally benign. However, so as not to worry anyone unnecessarily, the files below are no longer Microsoft Word, and, while the formatting isn't as nice as it was, all the info is there -- and it's safe as milk, too. Thank you for your patience.)
U.S. Colleges -- CSB Preliminary Ranking
U.S. Other -- CSB Preliminary Ranking
OHL -- CSB Preliminary Ranking
QMJHL -- CSB Preliminary Ranking
WHL -- CSB Preliminary Ranking
12/31/00
A Big Timer for the Minutemen
Cushing Academy defenseman Marvin Degon, USHR's top-ranked defenseman among 11th graders currently playing prep/high school hockey in New England, has committed to UMass-Amherst.
Degon, who's about 5'11"/6'0" and 170 pounds, is a mobile right-shot D. He has excellent foot speed and great edges, which will work to his advantage on the big sheet at the Mullins Center. Degon also has lightning quick hands and tends to move the puck with short, hard passes rather than skate with it. He's improved yearly -- and still has 1¾ years to go before suiting up for his first UMass game.
Degon's committing to the Minutemen is significant. When Toot Cahoon took the UMass job last spring, he went to work on drawing the top in-state players out to UMass, a program we've always referred to as a sleeping giant. Well, with goaltender Timmy Warner, forwards like Greg Mauldin, and now Degon, the nucleus is falling into place quicker than one could have expected. By the time that group becomes upperclassmen, they could be making some noise nationally. From what we've seen of UMass this year, they are only a few players away from pushing the traditional powers -- and the above mentioned, if they pan out, could be the players that do the pushing.
Degon is a central Mass. product, from Millbury, Mass., a little south of Worcester.
12/31/00
2001 Select Festival Dates
The tentative dates for the 2001 U.S. Select Festivals are as follows:
The above dates are the game dates. The players generally report a day earlier. All festivals will be in St. Cloud, Minn., on the campus of St. Cloud State University.
In addition, USA Hockey is planning a Select 14 Festival this year. We should know more about where, when and under what format this will take place after USA Hockey's winter meetings in mid-January.
12/31/00
A Short Break
This typist is taking his winter break not in sunny Belize, but, in order to scout the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, in Truro and New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. Last night, the U.S. made some noise up there, whipping Russia, 10-3. We'll be back to our regular schedule on Thursday. Thank you for supporting the U.S. Hockey Report in 2000. It's been fun and we look forward to serving you again in 2001.
12/28/00
U.S. Juniors Take Another
Both of Umberger's goals came on the powerplay. Ricky DiPietro kicked out 27 of 29 for the win.
Next up for the U.S. is a match tomorrow vs. the Czech Republic, the defending WJC champions and the consensus pre-tournament favorite to take it again this year.
Note: This typist is going to bow out of providing box scores for the World Junior Championship mainly because USA Hockey and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) are both doing a fine job. Make sure to check out the IIHF site -- they are doing real-time updates from the games.
USA Hockey link for World Junior Coverage
12/28/00
Gauthier Joins U.S. for World Under-17's
Forward Gabe Gauthier of the Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL) will be joining the U.S. squad for the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in New Glasgow and Truro, Nova Scotia.
Gauthier, a native of Buena Park, California, just north of Anaheim, will take the roster spot formerly held by Eric Sargent, who is academically ineligible (below 2.0).
Gauthier, who played at the Berkshire School in 1998-99, has played in 28 games for Chilliwack this season and has a 16-27-43 line. He was a first-round draft choice (12th overall) of the Saskatoon Blades in the WHL bantam draft this past May. A junior in high school, Gauthier is a top college prospect for the fall of 2002.
A left-shot center, Gauthier is a 1/20/84 birthdate. He stands 5'9" and weighs190 pounds, or, given that this is international play, 177 centimeters and 82 kilograms.
The U.S., coached by Moe Mantha, will open tournament play on Saturday Dec. 30 vs. Russia. Speaking of Mantha, this typist, who then had brown hair, was in the Boston Garden on the night in early October 1984 when Lemieux, then 18, scored a nice goal in his NHL debut, beating 23-year-old Bruins defenseman Ray Bourque, already a five-year NHL vet, and breaking in alone on goaltender Pete Peeters. The assist on the play went to Mantha, who had just come over to Pittsburgh in an off-season trade with the Winnipeg Jets. (I mention this mainly because for the last couple of nights I've been in Canada, where people spoke of little other than #66 -- and not without good reason.)
Follow the Under-17 Team at the:
USA Hockey link for World Under-17 Challenge
or The Official Site for the World Under-17 Challenge
I'll be up in Halifax by New Year's Eve, and will stay for as long as the U.S. is in it. At the end, after having scouted all the teams, I'll have a writeup in this space.
12/26/00
U.S. National Jr. Team Routs Kazakhs
Jeff Taffe, from Hastings HS and the University of Minnesota, notched a hat trick. Five of the nine U.S. goals came on the powerplay. Ricky DiPietro stopped 11 of the 12 shots he faced. The U.S. peppered a pair of Kazakh goaltenders with 39 shots.
By the way, did you know that Kazakhstan has over 15,000 miles of coastline on the Caspian Sea? If you're finding Martha's Vineyard too pricey...
The U.S. (1-0-0) has an off day tomorrow and returns to action on Thurs. 12/28 vs. Slovakia.
Kelly Leaves Boston College
Boston College sophomore forward Paul Kelly has left the Heights and will be heading to the frozen pastureland of Nebraska to join the Tri-City Storm (USHL).
Kelly, who last year centered BC's fourth line and appeared in 40 games (3g,2a,5 pts.on the season), had not appeared in a single game this season.
Kelly is the second Eagle to leave school for the USHL this season. In September, winger Jeremy Wilson, suspended by the school, signed on with Cedar Rapids. Naturally, the departure of both players will free up a chunk of scholarship money for the Eagles..
Kelly, who will be in uniform for Tri-City's next game (Fri. Dec. 29 at Omaha), is from West Peabody, Mass. and played prep school hockey for Northfield-Mt. Hermon, where he was a two-year captain. He's a 10/4/80 birthdate and, like most kids leaving college nowadays to join a USHL team, will be playing under the 4-2-4 rule, which allows a student to go from a four-year college to a two-year college and then, provided the minimum course load is met, may transfer to a totally different four-year school without sitting out. It's a device a number of former collegians, like former Golden Gopher and current Des Moines Buccaneer Doug Meyer, are using. In other words, look for Kelly at another school next season.
Another USHL player currently playing under the above-mentioned ruling is Dubuque's Dan Weinreib, who has a year at UMass-Lowell under his belt. Weinreib, a 3/30/80 birthdate who attended Choate before going to Lowell, has played seven games for Dubuque this season, posting a 3.40 gaa and .892 save percentage. Look for him at another school next season, too.
12/20/00
Massen Makes His Choice
6'1", 220 lb. Sioux Falls Stampede power forward James Massen, whose stock shot up this fall as fast as his point totals, has committed to the North Dakota Fighting Sioux.
Massen, a native of North Dakota, played high school hockey in his hometown of Bismarck as a sophomore, then, for his junior year, moved over to the Bismarck Bobcats (AWHL). For his senior year in high school, Massen headed to the USHL where, at Christmas last year, he had but two goals. In the second half, however, he came on strong, scoring 14 goals and finishing with a 16-17-33 line.
This year, in 24 games, Massen has a 16-17-33 line, good for second in USHL scoring to teammate Jamie Mattie, a defenseman with a 9-28-37 line.
Massen, who has excellent hands and a powerful shot, has a huge top end. He's worked hard on his skating, particularly his first couple of steps, and has also been learning to consistently use his 220 lbs. to maximum advantage. He's a 1/13/82 birthdaate
As for college, Massen had narrowed his choices to four -- Colorado College, North Dakota, Denver, and Notre Dame.
In other Fighting Sioux news, freshman defenseman Derrick Byfuglien, citing lack of playing time, has packed his bags and left for the Erie Otters (OHL) where his younger cousin, Bobby John Byfuglien, plays.
Byfuglien, a fourth-round draft pick of the Ottawa Senators in June, had only played in six of the first twenty North Dakota games this season. He's 6'1", 195 lbs. and turns twenty on Saturday. Before coming to UND, Byfuglien played for the Fargo-Moorhead Ice Sharks (USHL) and, before that, Roseau High School (where, ten years ago Fighting Sioux head coach Dean Blais guided the Roseau Rams to the Minnesota state high school title -- as we're always saying, it's a small world.
12/19/00
Wisniewski on Board for Halifax
When the U.S. takes off for the World Under-17 Championship in Halifax, Nova Scotia next week, Plymouth Whalers (OHL) defenseman James Wisniewski will be taking the place of injured (ankle) defenseman Tom Sawatske.
Wisniewksi, a 5'11" right shot from Canton, Mich. who played last season with the Compuware Ambassadors (NAHL), has moved up to major junior this season, and, as a 16 year old, has turned himself into one of the top scorers among rookie defensemen in the OHL. In 29 games, Wisniewski has a 5-12-17 line with 43 pims. He'll help fill a void, giving the Under-17 team a top puck-handling D who can run the power play.
Sawatske is expected back in action in Mid-January.
The Under-17 Team, coached by Moe Mantha, is, with the exception of Wisniewski, the team that has played together all season in the NAHL.
They are:
Goaltenders (2): Gerald Coleman (Evanston, Ill.); Tim Roth (Teaneck, N.J.).
Defensemen (8): Noah Babin (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.); Matthew Carle (Anchorage, Alaska); Michael Grenzy (Lockport, N.Y.); Michael Nesdill (Scottsdale, Ariz.); Corey Potter (Mason, Mich.); Evan Shaw (Franklin, Mass); Mark Stuart (Rochester, Minn.); James Wisniewski (Canton, Mich.).
Forwards (12): Patrick Eaves (Fairbault, Minn.), Greg Goodnough (Mannsville, N.Y.), Taylor Hustead (Scottsdale, Ariz.), Ryan Kesler (Livonia, Mich.), Jim McKenzie (Woodbury, Minn.), Greg Moore (Lisbon, Maine), Patrick O'Sullivan (Sterling Heights, Mich.), Eric Sargent (Linden, Mich.), Mark Schwamberger (Spencerport, N.Y.), Brett Sterling (Pasadena, Calif), Tim Wallace (Anchorage, Alaska), and Stephen Werner (Chevy Chase, Md.).
Here's the Team USA schedule:
12/18/00
Cushing Again Tops USHR Prep Poll
Undefeated Cushing (5-0), which won the Lawrence Tournament handily, beating the New England Jr. Coyotes 5-1; Lawrence, 9-2; and Culver, 6-2, remains atop USHR's Prep Poll this week.
Note: the next poll will be in two weeks.
12/17/00
Westminster Ends Deerfield's Run at Flood-Marr
The Westminster School, behind a 26-save effort from junior goaltender Phil Lauderdale, topped Deerfield 3-1 in the title game of the 36th Annual Flood-Marr Tournament this afternoon.
Deerfield had been going for a four-peat, not having lost the tournament since 1996, when Westminster last won it. However, the Big Green, despite outshooting Westminster 27-19, came up short.
Senior RW Jeff Natale of Westminster was named tourney MVP.
At the Barber Tournament, Div. II Tilton School outworked and outhustled St. Sebastian's in the title game -- and almost pulled off a big upset -- before bowing in OT, 3-2, on senior center John Toffey's second goal of the game.
For more go to Holiday Tournament Scoreboard. (Bear in mind that, after these tournaments, everybody heads off for Christmas break, so while we may have all the scores posted, we don't have all the box scores, at least not yet. If anyone out there has any of the missing ones -- or just the basic facts --please zip them to info@ushr.com )
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