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U.S. Hockey Report

5/31/01

Tony G Takes Reins of Stampede

Tony Gasparini, an assistant for the Sioux Falls Stampede since the team began play in 1999, will be named GM/head coach today. 

Gasparini, who at 26 becomes the league's youngest head coach, takes over from Bob Motzko, who earlier this month accepted an assistant's position at the University of Minnesota after John Hill moved on the head coach's position at Alaska-Anchorage.

To say Gasparini was born into coaching is an understatement -- he's the son of Gino Gasparini, who coached the University of North Dakota to three NCAA titles in his 16 years behind the bench, and is now commissioner of the USHL. The young Gasparini graduated from Grand Forks Central HS, played two years in the USHL, and from there moved on to the University of Minnesota-Duluth where he was a backup goaltender, graduating in 1999. It was during Gasparini's senior year, while Motzko was recruiting players for his expansion team's inaugural campaign, that he decided Gasparini was the guy he wanted on board as his assistant.  

"I've got big shoes to fill," said Gasparini today, referring to Motzko. The Stampede? "We're reloading," he said, mentioning top recruit Marty Sertich and others coming on board this fall. "This train's going to keep on rolling." 

Gasparini, who turns 27 in July, has a great work ethic, and an eye for talent, having helped bring in, among many others, Thomas Vanek, Rick Gorman, James Massen, and Mike Doyle. Over the franchise's first two seasons, the Stampede has a 77-31-6 record (.702).  

Others reportedly interviewed for the post included Scott Borek, most recently head coach at Lake Superior State, and Doc DelCastillo, an assistant at St. Cloud State.

 

5/31/01

New York 16s, 17s Set to Go

Here are the players from the great state of New York who will be moving on to St. Cloud, Minn. for the USA Hockey Select 16 &17 festivals this summer. The 15s will be named after a week of training and evaluation at SUNY-Potsdam June 24-30.

New York Select 17 Team ('84s)

Goaltenders (2):Allen Barton (Spencerport), James Howard (Ogdensburg)

Defensemen (6): Chris Beaudry (Cortland); Gicamino DeCarolis (Taberg); Brian Dobler (Jericho); Jeffrey Mosher (Hilton); Patrick Oliveto (Rochester); Kevin Schaeffer (S. Huntington)

Forwards (12): Dustin Brown (Ithaca); Thomas Collingham (Yonkers); Chris Collins (Fairport); T.J. Fox (Oswego); Andrew Gartman (Baldwin); Ryan Hodkinson (Mt. Sinai); Bill Kinkel (Hamburg); Mark McCutcheon (Pittsford); Tim Sestito (Rome); Garrett Summerfield (Endicott); Phil Taglia (Merrick); Derek Whitmore (Rochester)

Head Coach : Dave Rider. Assistant Coaches: Ed Gosek and Lou Santini. Team Leader: Peter Preteroti.

New York Select 16 Team ('85s)

Goaltenders (2): Edward Neville (Franklin Square); Dan Tormey (Syracuse)

Defensemen (6): Nicholas Barnych (Smithtown); Steven Birnstill (Commack); Louis Liotti (Westbury); Richard Lynch (West Seneca); Chris Smith (Lakeview); Kenneth Sussman (Great Neck)

Forwards (12): Andrew Brolsma (Fairport); Ryan Callahan (Rochester); Michael Cohen (Williamsville); Joe Coiro (Yorktown Heights); Joe Gardner (Buffalo); Chris Greene (Lake Placid); Peter MacArthur (Clifton Park); Matthew Mesi (Orchard Park); Jeff Pappalardi (Delmar); C.J. Tozzo (New Rochelle); Garett Vassel (Oyster Bay Cove); Ryan Williams (Centerport)

Head Coach: Frank Bretti. Assistant Coaches: Frank Genovese and Frank Hillman. Team Leader: Mark LaMarr.

 

5/30/01

Robertson to NTDP

5'11", 160 lb. RD David Robertson of the Philadelphia Jr. Flyers Bantams has won, and accepted, a spot with the U.S. National Team Development Program. A 10/11/85 birthdate, Robertson will be playing with the Under-17 Team.

Robertson, who also played for Germantown Academy last winter, impressed the NTDP staff with a strong showing at the Bantam Nationals, which were held outside Philadelphia in early April. A native of Ambler, Pa., right outside Philadelphia, Robertson is an agile defenseman with very good skating skills, both backward and forward, and a lot of poise. He is strong at both ends, and moves the puck extremely well. His father is about 6'3", so Robertson could grow considerably. 

 

5/30/01

Lovejoy to Boston College

6'2", 200 lb. right-shot D Ben Lovejoy, who recently accelerated a year at Deerfield Academy, has committed to Boston College and will arrive at The Heights in the fall of 2002. 

Lovejoy joins a recruiting class that so far includes NTDP forward Patrick Eaves and Cleveland Jr. Barons D Peter Harrold.  

A big, raw offensive defenseman with size and strength, Lovejoy's name has been inexorably lin ked to Boston College for months now.   

Lovejoy, a 2/20/84 birthdate from Canaan, NH, was a standout on the U.S.A. Hockey Under-17 Team that won the gold at the Four Nations Tournament last August in the Czech Republic. 

 

5/29/01

Sifers in Demand

5'11", 195 lb. Taft School RD Jaime Sifers, for our money the best pure defenseman in New England, recently visited the University of Vermont, where his prep school coach, Mike Maher, played in the early '80s. In June, Sifers will be visiting BC, BU, and Yale. Also in the works are visits to Michigan State and North Dakota. 

Sifers, poised and controlled in his own end, is a rugged, hard-hitting type of blueliner. He has excellent balance and is tough to knock off the puck. Sifers, who has pro potential, is a 1/18/83 birthdate from Stratford, Conn. 

 

5/29/01

Harvard Trims Roster

Harvard University juniors Jared Cantanucci and Leif Ericson have been told by Crimson coach Mark Mazzoleni that their Harvard careers are over. 

Cantanucci, a forward who lit it up at Shattuck-St. Mary's before coming to Harvard, finishes his three-year with just two goals in 71 games. Ericson, a defenseman from the Northwood School who appeared in 14 Crimson games this past season, finishes his career with an 0-1-1 line in 46 games. 

Both Cantanucci and Ericson were recruited by former Harvard coach Ronn Tomassoni and his staff.   

Mazzoleni, who, in this, his second year after coming over from Miami, led the Crimson to their first over-.500 finish since 1993-94, has made no bones about his desire to add grit and tenacity in an effort to restore the Crimson to a position of national power. Mazzoleni will be entering play this fall with just four regulars recruited by his predecessor -- Dominic Moore, Brett Nowak, Peter Capouch, and Dominic Moore. Defenseman Liam McCarthy, who sat out last season for academic reasons, is academically eligible again. If Mazzoleni takes the former Belmont Hill standout back, it could well be as a forward.  

 

5/29/01

Central Selects Named

Here are the players from the Central District who will be moving on to St. Cloud, Minn. for the USA Hockey Select 16 &17 festivals this summer. 

Central Select 17 Team ('84s)

Goaltenders (2): Mike DeGeorge (Ill.); Mark Kern (Mo.)

Defensemen (6): Evan Stoflet (Wisc.); Danny Richmond (Ill.); Mike Mannina (Ill.); Brian D'Arcy (Ill.); Davis Drewiske (Wisc.); Jon Schleder (Ill.)

Forwards (12): Chris Porter (Iowa); Doug Johnson (Wisc.); Joe Pavelski (Wisc.); Kevin Sheehan (Ill.); Darwin Hunt (Ill.); Danny Charleston (Ill.); Adam Campbell (Wisc.); Chad Solberg (Ill.); Marc Borden (Ill.); Jake Nelson (Wisc.); Kyle Hillmershausen (Wisc.); Steve Krates (Ill.)

Central Select 16 Team ('85s)

Goaltenders (2): Alvaro Montoya (Ill.); Wes Russell (Mo.)

Defensemen (6): Jeff Likens (Ill.); Ryan Suter (Wisc.); Mike Letezia (Ill.); Jacob Heller (Ill.); Dan Venard (Ill.); Steven Ebbole (Ill.)

Forwards (12): Mike Brown (Ill.); Mike Bartlett (Ill.); Anthony Canzoneri (Ill.); Anthony Cosmano (Ill.); Jake Dowell (Wisc.); Jeff Lovecchio (Mo.); Topher Scott (Ill.); Steven LaFreniere (Ill.); Paul Stastny (Mo.); Remy Pettygrove (Ill.); Andrew Goberstein (Ill.); Dan Sturges (Wisc.)

Central Select 15 Team ('86s)

Goaltenders (2): Chris Carlson (Ill.); Rick Redmond (Ill.)

Defensemen (6): Dan Marziani (Ill.); Kyle Butler (Mo.); Mike Kennedy (Ill.); Luke Lucyk (Wisc.); Chris Butler (Mo.); Brendan Olinyk (Wisc.)

Forwards (12): Drew Heredia (Ill.); Eric Lampe (Wisc.); Chad Costello (Iowa); Jeff Christiansen (Wisc.); Travis Turnbull (Mo.); Kevin Wicklin (Ill.); Evan Button (Mo.); Gino Pisellini (Ill.); Willie Beetham (Wisc.); Pat Gallivan (Ill.); Joe Hall (Ill.); Andy Olinger (Wisc.)

 

5/24/01

BU Gets Early Commit from Spang

Winchester HS left-shot D Danny Spang, one of the top 11th graders in New England prep/high school ranks, has committed to Boston University. 

Spang, who is 6'0", 195 lbs. and an 8/16/83 birthdate, is an agile, mobile offensive d-man who can skate with the puck, and set up his forwards with crisp passes. He's strong on the powerplay, moving the puck nicely to the open man. Spang is somewhat similar in style to U.S. Under-18 Team defenseman -- and current BU recruit -- Bryan Miller, though he hasn't faced the same high-level international and Jr. A competition, so his learning curve will be longer. 

In 24 games this season, Spang posted a line of 8-37-45, helping lead Winchester to a berth in the Mass. high school Super 8 tournament. In three years at Winchester, where he's coached by ex-Princeton forward John Messuri, Spang has 108 career points. Spang will return to Winchester for his senior season.  

Spang will also be playing again -- his third season -- for the Eastern Mass Senators Midget AAA team. In 2000, the Senators won the National Championship. 

Other schools on Spang's final list were BC, Yale, Michigan, Northeastern, Dartmouth, Princeton, and UMass. 

 

5/23/01

Carroll Out; Ferguson Back in Des Moines

Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) head coach/GM Tom Carroll, who posted a solid 67-41-6 record in his two years in Iowa's capital, has been let go and replaced by Bob Ferguson. 

Ferguson, who coached for 14 seasons in the USHL, left the league in 1995 to coach the Indianapolis Ice (IHL) before moving on to the Florida Everblades (ECHL). Ferguson resigned his job with the Everblades one month ago, thus paving his way back to Des Moines. 

Carroll, who played at the University of Wisconsin in the early '80s, served as a 14-year Div. I assistant (Wisc., Notre Dame) before taking the Des Moines job two years ago. He's highly-regarded by his peers. 

Carroll did a good job with his team this year, finishing with a .598 winning percentage that put him 26 games above .500 in his two-year stint. 

The USHL coaches we spoke to felt Carroll (whom we were unable to reach) got a raw deal. 

The feeling around the league is that the board that runs the Buccaneers (they're publicly owned) is pining for a return to the good old days, when Omaha and Des Moines ruled the league, both attendance-wise and in the won-lost column, and everybody else played second fiddle. A legitimate goal, certainly, but, as the landscape in the USHL is quite different today, perhaps not very realistic. When Ferguson left Des Moines six years ago, the Green Bay Gamblers were an expansion team, and other top franchises -- e.g. Lincoln Stars, Sioux Falls Stampede -- didn't exist. The 38-5-5 record Ferguson posted in that final year is something that he, or anyone else for that matter, is unlikely to duplicate in today's USHL. In other words, Des Moines fans should temper their expectations.  

 

5/23/01

Parisé, Stuart, Vanek -- Where to? 

Shattuck-St. Mary's sharpshooter Zach Parisé, who's on everyone's wish list, has five schools on his list -- BC, BU, Michigan, Minnesota, and North Dakota. An 11th grader, Parisé lit it up this past season, averaging better than two points a game (77-65-142 in 63 gp) to lead Shattuck to the National Midget Championship. 

U.S. Under-17 defenseman Mark Stuart has visited five schools: Michigan, Notre Dame, BC, BU, and Colorado College, His brothers, defenseman Mike, a junior, and forward Colin, a freshman, are both at CC, of course. But that doesn't mean the youngest, who last month watched BC win the NCAA title in the company of future Eagle Patrick Eaves, will necessarily follow suit.

Thomas Vanek, an Austrian import who's played for the Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) the past two seasons, will, like Parisé and Stuart, be entering his 12th grade year as one of the top recruits in the country. His top three choices are BC, Michigan, and Minnesota, with no clear frontrunner. Vanek, who battled through an injury-plagued season, finished the regular season with a 19-10-29 line in 20 games. Projecting those numbers, if Vanek had played the full 56 game slate, he would have finished with 53 goals. And Vanek, remember, didn't turn 17 until January. The last USHL player to reach the 50 mark was current NY Islander Jason Blake, who had 50 in 1993-94 while playing for Waterloo. Lincoln Stars forward Brandon Bochenski came close this year, finishing with 47. 

Parisé, Stuart, and Vanek are all '84s. Also, remember that there is plenty of time for them to tweak their lists before putting pen to paper!

 

5/23/01

Schremp Staying Put

14-year-old wunderkind Robbie Schremp, who racked up 78 points playing for the Syracuse Jr. Crunch (OPJHL) this past season, and was invited to join the U.S. National Team Development Program, will be staying put in Syracuse. It was a family decision, with the parents feeling that Robbie was just too young to leave home. 

Boston Jr. Bruins (EJHL) 6'1" center Adam Pineault, who turns 15 today, will be the only '86 on the Under-17 team next season

 

5/23/01

Dingle to Denver

Ryan Dingle, a 5'10", 160 lb. left-shot center from Steamboat, Colorado, has committed to the Pioneers. After playing the upcoming season with the Billings Bulls (AWHL), Dingle, an '84, will arrive at Denver in the fall of 2002.

Dingle, who had a 27-32-59 line in 55 games for the Vail Avalanche Midget AAA squad this season, is a feisty agitator type who's always around the puck, and shows good speed and quickness, too. 

 

5/22/01

Michigan Select Teams Named

Here are the players from Michigan who'll be moving on to St. Cloud, Minn. for the USA Select 16 &17 festivals this summer, as well as the players who'll be competing in the Select 14 festival in Rochester, N.Y. The Select 15 Team ('86s) has yet to be picked. 

Team Michigan – 17 ('84s)

Goaltenders (2): Adam Dekker (Sault Ste. Marie); Justin Tobe (Northville)

 

Defensemen (6): Jason Dest (Fraser); Marc Marcotte (L’Anse); Jameson Milam (Lake Orion); Chase Podsaid (Wyandotte); Brad Robbins (West Bloomfield); Chris Trick (Troy)

 

Forwards (12): David Booth (Washington); Mike Dagenais (Marquette); Alex Foster (Canton); Jonathon Graberek (Sterling Heights); Jason Paige (Saginaw); Mike Parks (Marquette); Derek Patrosso (Novi); Dan Peace (Ann Arbor); Zachary Pearson (White Lake); Rob Rassey (Shelby Township); David Rohlfs (Northville); Tom Sarnovsky (White Lake)

Team Michigan – 16 ('85s)

Goaltenders (2): Jeff Swanson (Grand Haven); Anthony Tocco (Belleville)

Defensemen (6): Matt Baehr (Rochester Hills); Lars Helminen (Brighton); Matt Hunwick (Roseville); Ryan Mahrle (Troy); Bob Selden (Negaunee); Alex Spezia (Farmington Hills) 

Forwards (12): Anthony Ciraulo (Fraser); Corey Couturier (Traverse City); Jeff Gartner (East Lansing); T.J. Hensick (Howell); Ryan Maki (Shelby Township); Nino Musitelli (Macomb); Jim Pentecost (Marquette); Josh Sciba (Westland); Matt Shouneyia (Bloomfield Hills); John Vigilante (Dearborn); William Waskerwitz (West Bloomfield); Justin White (Traverse City)

 

Team Michigan – 14 ('87s)

Goaltenders (12): Nathan Fredrickson (Spring Lake); Shawn Hunwick (Roseville)

Defensemen (6): Brandon Gentile (Clarkston); Mike Kondratek (Canton); Kyle Lawson (New Hudson); Fletcher Leet (Troy); Mark Mitera (Livonia); Brian Walsh (Franklin)

Forwards (12): Zach Doyen (Ortonville); Mike Fenkell (Bloomfield Hills); Jim Fraser (Port Huron); Nathan Gerbe (Oxford); Matt Guilbault (Livonia); Mike Guzzo (Pinckney); Randen Hill (Sault Ste. Marie); Tim Miller (Davisburg); Sean O’Conner (Trenton); Joe Shean (Pleasant Lake); Jason Simota (Livonia); Matt Suggs (Ada)

 

5/22/01

Bruckler a Badger

Tri-City Storm (USHL) goaltender Bernd Bruckler, an Austrian import who, since Christmas, has become the most heavily-recruited goaltender in the U.S., has signed a letter of intent with the University of Wisconsin. 

A large number of schools were in the hunt in late winter, but Bruckler, after becoming eligible in the last month or so, narrowed his choice to St. Cloud State and Wisconsin. He visited the two schools in the last couple of weeks. 

At 6'1", 180 lbs., Bruckler exhibits excellent fundamentals, size, poise and reflexes. His .918 save percentage led the league and, in 41 games, he posted a 2.48 gaa. 

At Wisconsin, where senior Graham Melanson played 41 games this season, Bruckler should be able to step right in and be the #1 goaltender.

Bruckler, a 9/26/81 birthdate, came over to Canada two years ago to play in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Precisely the wrong time, as it turned out, for, shortly after he arrived, the CHA passed their rule prohibiting European imports in Tier II. So Bruckler went and played Jr. B in Ponoka, Alberta (on Highway 2 between Calgary and Edmonton). Last year, Bruckler returned to Austria, and played for ERC Graz before returning to North American in mid-December.

 

5/21/01

Gens to St. Cloud St.

6'0", 175 lb. RD Matt Gens, a Minnesotan who's played the past two seasons for the U.S. National Team Development program, will be suiting up for St. Cloud State in the fall.  

Gens, who played for tiny Lake of the Woods HS in Baudette, Minn. (current Minnesota freshman Jon Waibel and Gopher recruit Keith Ballard also laced them up for the Bears) is a smooth-skating offensive defenseman. Gens, while not the QB, played on the first unit power play for the Under-18 team this season. He shoots the puck well, and finds the seams nicely. 

Michigan Tech had offered Gens a full scholarship early on, but then Maine and St. Cloud State got into the picture. 

Two weeks ago, St. Cloud lost defenseman Duvie Wescott, who would have been a senior this year, to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

 

5/21/01

Motzko Named Gopher Assistant

It's official -- Sioux Falls Stampede GM/head coach Bob Motzko will be named assistant coach at the University of Minnesota later today. 

Motzko replaces John Hill, who was named head coach at Alaska-Anchorage last month. 

Three years ago this spring, Motzko was named head coach/GM of the expansion Sioux Falls Stampede, then 15 months away from their first game. Motzko used that time to comb the country for players, bringing in the likes of Rick Gorman, Jared Hanowski, Dave Iannazzo, Mike Doyle, Chad LaRose, J.B. Bittner, James Massen, and Thomas Vanek. In their first season, the Stampede led the league in goals scored (239 in 58 gp), finishing 37-17-4. This past season, their second, they again led the league in goals scored (267 in 56 gp), finishing 40-14-12. Needless to say, they had a dynamite powerplay.

Motzko, who's from Austin, Minn., came to the Stampede after six years as an assistant at Miami, the last four under Mark Mazzoleni. In 1993-94 he was an assistant at Denver under Frank Serratore. From 1987-91, Motzko was head coach of the North Iowa Huskies, winning the Gold Cup in 1989. 

Motzko played in the USHL for Dubuque Fighting Saints, which, under Jack Barzee, won the 1981 USHL title and the Gold Cup, too. 

In addition to Motzko, two other candidates -- Omaha Lancers head coach/GM Mike Hastings and White Bear Lake HS head coach Bill Butters (a former Gopher assistant) came on campus for interviews. 

Judging from word around the league, an early list of candidates for the Sioux Falls job would include current assistant Tony Gasparini, St. Cloud State assistant Doc Del Castillo, and Warroad HS coach Cary Eades. 

 

5/21/01

Tallackson Gets the Word 

In other Gopher news, U.S. National Team Development program winger Barry Tallackson, one of the top recruits in the country, got his SAT scores back on Friday, passed muster, and will be suiting up for the Gophers in the fall. Just in case he didn't pass, the Omaha Lancers had selected Tallackson in the USHL draft earlier last week, 

 

5/21/01

Pacific Select Teams Named 

Here are the players from the Pacific District who'll be moving on to St. Cloud, Minn. for the USA Select 15-16-17 festivals this summer, as well as the players who'll be competing in the Select 14 festival in Rochester, N.Y. 

Pacific Select 17s (1984)

Goaltenders (2): Robbie Hazelwood (San Jose Jr. Sharks Midget AA); Matt Mouser (Marquette Electricians Midget AAA).

Defensemen (6): Zach Gieszler (Portland Jr. Hawks Midget); Mike Hodgson (Queen's Park Pirates Jr. B --PIJHL); Shane Lovdahl (Alaska South Central Wolves Midget AAA); Matt Palmer (Alaska South Central Wolves Midget AAA); Jeremy Smith (Alaska All-Stars Midget AAA); Jake Wilkens (Vernon Vipers, BCHL).

Forwards (12): Patrick Angeles (San Jose Jr. Sharks Midget AA); Peter Cartwright (Alaska All Stars Midget AAA); Mike Curry (Alaska Blue Devils Midget AAA); Bryce Dale (Queen's Park Pirates Jr. B --PIJHL); Christopher Finley (South Coast Sabers Midget); Joseph Garofalo (LA Jr. Kings Midget AA); Nick Mazzolini (Alaska All Stars Midget AA); Mike Ramirez (Alaska All Stars Midget AAA); Dane Smulick (Alaska All Stars Midget AAA); Tony St. John (Alaska All Stars Midget AA); Nate Thompson (Alaska All Stars Midget AAA); Cy Young (Billings Bulls, AWHL).

Head Coach: Bob Freeland (Oregon). Assistant Coaches: Kelly Hubbard (Oregon) and Larry Cahn (California). Team Leader: Steve Lang (California). 

Pacific Select 16s (1985)

Goaltenders (2): Brad Lundeby (Alaska All Star Bantam AAA); Wylie Rogers (Fairbanks Ice Dogs Jr. B).

Defensemen (6): Brian Deeth (Shattuck-St. Mary's Midget AA); Spencer Dillon  (Shattuck-St. Mary's Midget AA); Justin Johnson  (Shattuck-St. Mary's Midget AA); Costa Lambernakis (Alaska All Star Bantam AAA); Graham McManamin  (Alaska All Star Bantam AAA); Dustin Mole (Alaska North Stars Bantam AAA).

Forwards (12): Andy Bader (Portland Jr. Hawks Bantam AAA); Brian Bales (Alaska All Star Midget AAA); Jason Beeman (Spokane Braves Jr. B); Kyle Chacho (Alaska All Star Bantam AAA); Trevor Hyatt (Alaska All Star Bantam AAA); John Kazanchian (LA Jr. Kings Midget Minor); Steve Murphy (Alaska All Star Midget AA); Nick Overman (Tacoma Rockets Midget AA); Aaron Roberge (Eugene Thunder Jr. B); Niko Rodriguez (LA Jr. Kings Midget Minor); Josh Sorenson (Alaska All Star Bantam AAA); Jon Stralka (Alaska All Star Midget AA).

Head Coach: Dennis Sorenson (Alaska). Assistant Coaches: Rob Sumner (Washington) and Brian Renfrew (Alaska). Team Leader: Dan Rogness (Alaska).

Pacific Select 15s (1986)

Goaltenders (2): Andrew Gorski (Mt. View Mavericks); Jordan Pearce (Anchorage North Star Bantam AAA).

Defensemen (6): Mike Beck (LA Jr. Kings Bantam AAA); Adam Besse (Alaska All Star Bantam AAA); Matt Keifer (LA Jr. Kings Bantam AAA); Scott Michel (Fairbanks Arctic Lions Bantam AAA); Kyle Richardson (San Jose Jr. Sharks Bantams); Nick Ulrich (San Jose Jr. Sharks Bantams).

Forwards (12): Brandon Dubinsky (Alaska All Stars Bantam AAA); Jonathan Freidman (LA Jr. Kings Bantam Minor); Todd Graham (Alaska All Stars Bantam AA); Nathan Grochmal (LA Jr. Kings Bantam Major); Alexander LaSeen (LA Jr. Kings Bantam Major); Blake Martin  (Alaska All Stars Bantam AAA); Ian McGregor (Fairbanks Arctic Lions Bantam AAA); Ryan Raven (Sno-Kings Bantam AAA); Jason Schaffer (Alaska All-Star Bantam AAA); Daniel Sirra (Anchorage North Star Bantam AAA); Billy Smith (Anchorage North Star Bantam AAA); Shane Wheeler (Alaska All Stars Bantam AA).

Head Coach: Art Baldwin (Washington). Assistant Coaches: Rob Kaufman (Washington) and Tom Gustafson (Oregon). Team Leader: Bill Dubinsky (Alaska).

Pacific Select 14s (1987)

Goaltenders (2): William Blasé (LA Jr. Kings Minor Bantam); Drew O'Connell (Alaska All-Star Bantam AA).

Defensemen (6): Aaron Bendersky (LA Jr. Kings Bantam Minor); Jonathan Fox (LA Jr. Kings PW AAA); Luke Holthouser (Alaska All Stars PW AAA); David Inman (LA Jr. Kings Bantam Minor); George Tom (LA Jr. Kings PW AAA).

Forwards (12): Augustus Aiken  (LA Jr. Kings PW AAA); Hunter Bishop (Fairbanks Arctic Lions PW AAA); Kevin Deeth (Shattuck-St. Mary's Bantam); Caleb Harrison (Fairbanks Arctic Lions Bantam AAA); John Kemp (LA Jr. Kings Bantam AAA); Kyle MacKinnon (Westminster PW AA); Evan MacKintosh (Jr. Sharks PW AA); Matt Schweitzer (Tacoma Rockets Midget AA); Evan Trupp (Anchorage North Star Pee Wee AAA); Andres Vlassopoulas (LA Jr. Kings Bantam Minor); Wade Williams (Alaska Mat-Su Bantam AA); Evan Zucker (Las Vegas Mustangs).

 

5/18/01

Van der Gulik Makes the Rounds

BCHL Rookie of the Year David Van der Gulik has narrowed his college choices to five schools: Michigan, Michigan State, Denver, Boston University, and Notre Dame. 

Van der Gulik is a pure goal scorer who, in 60 games with the Chilliwack Chiefs, posted a line of 42-38-80. Van der Gulik, who is being recruited for 2002-03, visited Michigan and Michigan State last weekend. This weekend, he'll be visiting Denver. Trips to BU and Notre Dame are in the works.   

A 5'11", 175 lb. LW, Van der Gulik hails from Abbotsford, B.C. and is a 4/20/83 birthdate. His coach at Chilliwack, Harvey Smyl, played at Michigan State in the early '80s.

 

5/17/01

New Recruit for BC

The Boston College Eagles have landed a top recruit for 2002-03 in RD Peter Harrold of the Cleveland Barons (NAHL).

Harrold, who's 6'0" and 175 lbs. is a 6/8/83 birthdate and will be entering his senior year in high school this fall.  He has good speed, can rush the puck, and is strong on the powerplay. He's also rugged, a tenacious, highly-competitive type who dishes out hard checks and never quits on the play. 

Harrold's final choices were BC and Michigan State. BU was in the hunt, too, and, when he was in Boston, the defenseman also visited Northeastern. Harrold, who's a resident of the Cleveland suburb of Kirkland Hills, also received a lot of in-state interest from Ohio State and Miami -- his older brother, Josh Harrold, patrolled the blue line at the latter school from 1995-99. 

Including playoffs, Harrold played in 61 games for the Barons this season and posted a 9-26-35 line with 42 pims. 

For what it's worth, BC assistant coach Scott Paluch has an old-school tie to the Barons organization which may have come in handy: he and Harrold's coaches with the Barons last year, Tim Alexander and Otis Plageman, all skated for Bowling Green. 

Paluch was also a coach on the U.S.A. Hockey Under-18 Select team that finished second at the Four Nations Tournament in Slovakia last August. Harrold, playing on a defense corps that included Matt Jones (North Dakota), Jesse Lane (Harvard); Bryan Miller (BU), Ryan Whitney (BU), and Mark Stuart (TBD), raised his stock significantly with his strong showing. 

Yesterday, Harrold was drafted by the Lincoln Stars in the first round (#2 overall) of the USHL draft. However, in the wake of the NAHL's vote last week to remove the red line, it's reported that there's a strong chance Harrold may stay with Cleveland.   

 

5/17/01

...and BU, too

David Klema, a 6'0", 178 lb. LC with the Des Moines Buccaneers will be joining the BU Terriers this fall. 

Klema, is from Roseau, Minn., "where," as Hibbing native Bob Dylan sang, "the winds hit heavy on the borderline." Klema was a key member of the 1999 Minnesota Class AA high school champion Roseau Rams, as was his older brother Mike Klema, a freshman this past season at Yale University.  

Klema was the 14th leading scorer in the USHL this season with a 13-40-53 line in 56 games played. He also had 58 pims.

A 4/30/82 birthdate, Klema is eligible for next month's NHL draft. He was ranked in the fourth round of North American skaters (#101 overall) on Central Scouting's final list.  

The strong suit for Klema, who's a solid skater with good size, is his playmaking ability. He needs to add to a little intensity to his game.

Klema was being recruited by Mankato State for this fall. Many other schools were interested for 2002-03, but apparently Klema wanted to go to school this fall. 

 

5/16/01

USHL Draft List, Round-by-Round

Here are the complete results of today's USHL Draft, held in Chicago, Ill., the City of Broad Shoulders (does anyone still call it that?). The info came over a scratchy cell phone from someone to whom English is most definitely a second language, so if you see any misspellings please drop us an email at info@ushr.com  

1st Round  

1. Tulsa -- Steve Collova, RPI (ECAC)

2. Lincoln -- Peter Harrold, Cleveland Barons (NAHL)

3. Chicago -- Ben Assenmacher, Springfield Jr. Blues (NAHL)

4. Waterloo -- Brandon Crawford-West, Texas Tornado (NAHL)

5. Topeka -- Kelly Sullivan, Leamington Jr. B (WOJHL)

6. Sioux City -- Kris Mayotte, Cleveland Barons (NAHL)

7. Tri-City -- Pat Borgestad, Como Park HS (Minn.)

8. Des Moines -- Mike Hutchins, St. Paul's School (NH)

9. Des Moines -- Jake Schwan, Capital District Selects (EJHL)

10. Green Bay -- Matt Commodore, Ft. Saskatchewan Traders (SJHL)

11. Omaha -- Matt Davis, Cleveland Barons (NAHL)

12. Sioux Falls -- Eric Przepiorka, Chicago Freeze (NAHL)

13. Lincoln -- Ethan Graham, St. Louis Sting (NAHL)

 

2nd Round  

14. Rochester -- Colin Nicholson, Truro Jr. A (Nova Scotia)

15. Des Moines, Nick Watroba, Buffalo Lightning (OPJHL)

16. Rochester -- Scott Thauwald, Rochester Mayo HS (Minn.)

17. Waterloo -- Neal Sheehan, Cleveland Barons (NAHL)

18. Sioux Falls -- Jason Moul, Billings Bulls (AWHL)

19. Sioux City -- David Deterling, Alexandria HS (Minn.)

20. Tri-City -- Mark McCutcheon, Buffalo Lightning (OPJHL)

21. Omaha -- Justin Johnson, Danville Wings (NAHL)

22. Des Moines -- Steven Canter, Billings Bulls (AWHL)

23. Green Bay -- Corey Locke, Newmarket (OPJHL)

24. Omaha -- Barry Tallackson, U.S. Under-18 Team

25. Topeka -- Jason Tejchma, Danville Wings (NAHL)

26. Lincoln -- Matt Erickson, Minot (AWHL)

 

3rd Round

27. Rochester -- Cole Koidahl, Minneapolis South HS (Minn.)

28. Tulsa -- Ross Cherry, N.J. Jr. Titans Jr. B

29. Chicago -- Blake Stewart, Chicago Freeze (NAHL)

30. Waterloo -- Ben Mettler, Hudson HS (Wisc.)

31. Topeka -- Eric Marvin, Chicago Freeze (NAHL)

32. Sioux City -- Matt Bothwell, Weyburn Red Wings (SJHL)

33. Tulsa -- James Tudor, Springfield Jr. Blues (NAHL)

34. Cedar Rapids -- Nate Meyers, Soo Indians (NAHL)

35. Des Moines -- Ryan Lessnau, Compuware Ambassadors (NAHL)

36. Des Moines -- Ryan Dingle, Vail Midget AAA

37. Omaha -- Phil Lauderdale, Westminster School (Conn.)

38. Tri City -- Dan Kronick, Holy Angels (Minn.)

39. Lincoln -- Jason Ryznar, U.S. Under-18

 

4th Round

40. Cedar Rapids -- Andrew Walbert, St. Louis Sting (NAHL)

41. Tulsa -- Charley Kronschnabel, Cretin-Durham Hall HS (Minn.)

42. Chicago -- Andrew Stearns, Billings Bulls (AWHL)

43. Waterloo -- Marco Trevino, Compuware Midget AAA

44. Topeka -- Mark Fuqua, Petrolia Jr. B (WOJHL)

45. Sioux City -- Matt Hoese, Hopkins HS (Minn.)

46. Tri City -- Pat Lake, Dimond HS (Alaska)

47. Cedar Rapids -- Josh Elzinga, Danville Wings (NAHL)

48. Green Bay -- Brandon Longley, Elk River HS (Minn.)

49. Omaha -- Dan Knapp, Compuware Ambassadors (NAHL)

50. Sioux Falls -- David Booth, Compuware Ambassadors (NAHL)

51. Lincoln -- Kyle Laughlin, Washington Capitals Jr. B

 

5th Round

52. Rochester -- Joe Shannon, Shattuck-St. Mary's (Minn.)

53. Tulsa -- Brett John, Detroit Catholic Central HS (Mich.)

54. Rochester -- Robbie Schremp, Syracuse Jr. Crunch (OPJHL)

55. Topeka -- Eric Veseley, Chicago Freeze (NAHL)

56. Sioux City -- Dusty Collins, Phoenix Polar Bears (Arizona)

57. Tri-City -- Jon Koop, Bridgewater Bandits (EJHL)

58. Cedar Rapids -- Steve Burgess, Compuware Ambassadors (NAHL)

59. Green Bay -- Ty Deinema, Great Falls Americans (AWHL)

60. Omaha -- Howard Jennings, Green Mt. Glades (EJHL)

61. Sioux Falls -- Sean Collins, Cleveland Barons (NAHL)

 

6th Round

62. Chicago -- Dana Bannerman, Collingwood Jr. B (Ont.)

63. Sioux City -- T.J. Kaig, Penticton Panthers (BCHL)

64. Cedar Rapids -- Bob Gillon, Boston Jr. Bruins (EJHL)

65. Sioux Falls -- Brandon Kaleniecki, Cleveland Barons (NAHL)

 

7th Round

66. Chicago -- Chris Connor, Chicago Freeze (NAHL)

67. Cedar Rapids -- James Howard, Kanata Valley Lasers (Ont.)

68. Sioux Falls -- Bryce Dale, Queens Park Jr. B (PIJHL)

 

5/16/01

NAHL Draft List, Round-by-Round

Here is the 2001 NAHL Draft -- final, complete, and round-by-round.

First Round

1. Springfield -- Robbie Lalonde, '82 D, Boston Jr. Blackhawks (IJHL)

2. St. Louis -- Chris Wright, '84 F, Trenton Sting (OPJHL)

3. Lansing -- Adam Fincik, '84 F, Pittsburgh Hornets Midget AAA

4. Lansing -- Greg Prybylski, '82 D, Buffalo Saints Midget AAA

5. Texas -- Ari Aberman, '81 D, SUNY-Fredonia (NCAA Div. III)

6. Chicago -- Nick Watroba, '82 D, Buffalo Lightning (OPJHL)

7. Chicago -- Kyle Laughlin, '84 F, Washington Capitals Jr. B

8. Danville -- Justin Thoel, '83 D, Chicago Chill Midget AAA

9. Texas -- Kelly Sullivan, '83 D, Leamington Jr. B (Ont.)

10. Soo -- Chris Gartman, '81 G, Cornell University (ECAC)

 

2nd Round

11. Pittsburgh -- Andy Cote, '81 F, Metro Jets Jr. B (Mich.)

12. St. Louis -- Justin Thorpe, '82 D, Flint Jr. B (Mich.) 

13. Pittsburgh -- Carson Strang, '83 F, Cleveland Barons Midget AAA

14. Cleveland -- James Unger, '85 F, Cleveland Barons Midget AAA

15. Lansing -- Alex Benson-Dunn, '82 F, LA Jr. Kings Midget AAA

16. Compuware -- Marco Trevino, '84 F, Compuware Midget AAA

17. Chicago -- Trevor Calamel, '83 D, Buffalo Saints Midget AAA

18. Cleveland -- Nick Biondo, '85 F, Cleveland Barons Midget AAA

19. Texas -- Matt Nickerson, '85 D, Connecticut Whalers Jr. B

20. Soo -- Colton Fretter, '82 F, Chatham Jr. B (WOJHL)

 

3rd Round

21. Pittsburgh -- Garrett Vassel, '85 F, NY Bobcats Jr. B

22. St. Louis -- Justin Natvig, '84 D, Peoria Mustangs Jr. B

23. Lansing -- Chris Bolognino, '83 D, Team Illinois Midget AAA

24. Springfield -- Morgan Ward, '82 F, Connecticut Clippers Midget AAA

25. Cleveland -- Ben Camper, '84 F, Cleveland Barons Midget AAA

26. Compuware -- Brad Lukas, '84 G, Compuware Midget AAA

27. Chicago -- Pat Gilles, '83 F, Madison Capitals Midget AAA

28. Cleveland -- Brent Cooper, '83 F, Honeybaked Midget AAA

29. Chicago -- Jordan Blair, '82 D, Rochester Mustangs (USHL)

30. Springfield -- Ross Cherry, '83 G, New Jersey Titans Jr. B

 

4th Round

31. Pittsburgh -- Dennis Kirstein, '83 D, Pittsburgh Hornets Midget AAA

32. Chicago -- Jason Diamond, '83 D, LA Jr. Kings Midget AAA

33. Springfield -- John Hooks, '82 F, Philadelphia Little Flyers Jr. B

34. Lansing -- Joe Olson, '82 F, Chicago Chill Midget AAA

35. Cleveland -- Jason Dest, '84 D, Michigan Jaguars Midget AAA

36. Compuware -- Chris Davidson, '82 G, UMass-Lowell (HE)

37. Chicago -- David Koch, '82 D, Butte Irish (AWHL)

38. Cleveland -- Steve Phillips, '85 F, HoneyBaked '85

39. Texas -- Steve Bradshaw, '84 G, Michigan Jaguars Midget AAA

40. Chicago -- Mark Blatterfein, '82 D, NY Apple Core (EJHL)

 

5th Round 

41. Pittsburgh -- Casey Bickley, '82 D, Shattuck-St. Mary's (Minn.)

42. St. Louis -- Joe Van Cullin, '82 F, Amherst Knights (NY)

43. Springfield -- Mike Arcieri, '85 F, NY Bobcats Jr. B

44. Lansing -- Nick Hamm, '83 D, Shattuck-St. Mary's (Minn.)

45. Cleveland -- Mike Brown, '85 F, Chicago Chill Midget AAA

46. Compuware -- Charlie Craig, '84 D, Compuware Midget AAA

47. Chicago -- James Arus, '82 F, LA Jr. Kings Midget AAA

48. Danville -- Brandon Zickler, '83 G, Chicago Chill Midget AAA

49. Texas -- Alex Spezia, '85 D, HoneyBaked 85

50. Soo -- Mike Dagenais, '84 F, Marquette Electricians Midget AAA

  

5/16/01

Two More for the NTDP

Texas Tornado (NAHL) goaltender Alvaro Montoya and Compuware Ambassadors (NAHL) forward Josh Sciba have committed to the U.S. National Team Development Program for the upcoming season.

Montoya, who played for Loyola HS in Illinois prior to joining Texas a month into this past season, is, at 6'1", 175 lbs., big. He's also quick, and very athletic. He's a 2/13/85 birthdate and hails from Glenview, Ill. In 16 games, Montoya posted a 10-3-0 record, a 2.92 gaa and a .891 save percentage for the NAHL champions. 

Sciba, who played for the HoneyBaked '85s before making the leap to Jr. A this season, is 5'11", 162 lbs., and plays a smart, skilled game with a physical edge, finishing all his checks and working to get open. Sciba is a 2/6/85 birthdate and is from Westland, Michigan. With limited playing time, Sciba posted a 6-8-14 line in 50 games for Compuware. 

 

5/16/01

Rocky Mountain Selects Named

There were 414 players representing nine states at the Rocky Mountain District Camp tryouts. Here are the players who'll be moving on to St. Cloud, Minn. for the USA Select 15-16-17 festivals this summer, as well as the players who'll be competing in the Select 14 festival in Rochester, N.Y. 

Rocky Mt. Select 17s (1984)

Goaltenders (1): Ian Harper (Utah). 

Defensemen (5): Dillon Brady (Colorado); Mike Findorff (Colorado); Keith Rodger (Colorado); Billy Scullion (Texas); Edwin Trebian (Arizona).

Forwards (11): Michael Browning (Texas); Brad Cooper (Texas); Ryan Dingle (Colorado); R.J. Flath (Utah); Kirk Golden (Colorado); Evan Krause (Montana); Kevin Labatte (Utah); John Marshall (Utah); Dain Prewitt (Colorado); Jeff Rogers (Colorado); Eric Steinmann (Wyoming). 

Head Coach: Steve Miller (Denver University). Assistant Coaches: Mike Corbett (Billings Bulls, AWHL) and Mike Provenzano (Pikes Peak Miners Midget AAA). Team Leader: Charles Callaway.

Rocky Mt. Select 16s (1985)

Goaltenders (1): Brian Straub (Colorado).

Defensemen (5): Dana Brumwell (Montana); Joe Cetta (Arizona); Trevor Ludwig (Texas); Brad Pebley (Utah); Nick Swinteck (Arizona).

Forwards (11): Mick Berge (Oklahoma); Sean Bertsch (Colorado); Dusty Collins (Arizona); J.D. Corbin (Colorado); A.J. Frasca (Colorado); Tyler Ludwig (Texas); Joe Mayer (Colorado); Dave Strathman (Arizona); Scott Tittle (Colorado); Ryan Vert (Arizona); Scott Woodruff (Colorado).

Head Coach: Damian Digiulian (University of Vermont). Assistant Coaches: Dave Tenzer (Colorado State) and Harry Mahood (Peoria Polar Bears, WSHL). 

Rocky Mt. Select 15s (1986)

Goaltenders (1): Tim Higbee (Colorado).

Defensemen (3): Alex Cooper (Arizona); Cody Lampl (Idaho); Jason Miller (Colorado).

Forwards (12): Corey Bise (Utah); Kevin Brake (New Mexico); Paul Chadwick (Arizona); Jacob Davis (Texas); Dave Kirsch (Colorado); Pat Knowlton (Colorado); Matt Moore (Colorado); Chris Nicoaou (Texas); Geoff Paukovich (Colorado); Jake Roadhouse (Colorado); Jamie Rupar (Texas); Tyler Haskins (Arizona).

Head Coach: Jeff Bloomer (Wyoming). Assistant Coach: Dave DeLozier (Colorado). Team Leader: John Seymour (Colorado)

Rocky Mt. Select 14s (1987)

Goaltenders (1): Andrew Ross (Texas).

Defensemen (5): Scott MacKenzie (Texas); Max Mobley (Arizona); Adam Mueller (Colorado); Chris Nutini (Colorado); Tatum Willard (Texas).

Forwards (12): Cody Ayers (Colorado); Cash Cochran (Colorado); John Frey (Colorado); Ben Holmstrom (Colorado); Trevor Lewis (Utah); Sean McCauley (Texas); Drew Ramsey (Texas); Griffin Randle (Texas); Jolly Righetti (Montana); Jeremy Schmidt (Texas); Andrew Strathman (Arizona); Mike Testwuide (Colorado).

Coaches: Chad Johnson (Minot Muskies, AWHL) and Joe Bonnett (Colorado College).

 

5/15/01

Final NAHL Tender List

Here is the final list of NAHL signed tenders, of which there were 50. The final seven additions are in red below.

Also, there was a trade made just before yesterday's draft, as the Soo Indians traded F Steve Kovalchik to the Cleveland Barons for F R.A. Mobile and 6'5" D Bryce Charpentier, an '81. 

Chicago Freeze: Bill Irish-Baker, F, '83, Buffalo Saints Midget AAA; Nick Lang, F, '83, HoneyBaked Midget AAA; Bryan Dobek, F, '83, HoneyBaked Midget AAA; Brian Carthas, F, '83, Boston Latin HS (Mass.)

Cleveland Barons: Evan Legace, F, '83, Cleveland Barons Midget AAA; Dale Morgele, F, '83, Pittsburgh Hornets Midget AAA;

Compuware Ambassadors: Dan Peace, F, '84, Compuware Midget AAA; Justin Tobe, G, '84, Compuware Midget AAA; Patrick McGrath, D, '83, Compuware Midget AAA; David Rohlfs, F, '84, Compuware Midget AAA; Vinnie Jalaba, F, '83, Compuware Midget AAA; Alex Foster, F, '84, Compuware Midget AAA; Chase Podsiad, D, '84, Compuware Midget AAA; Brad Robbins, '84, D, Sarnia Steeplejacks Jr. B (WOHL)

Danville Wings: Bryan Marshall, F, '83, HoneyBaked Midget AAA; Ryan Wright, F, '83, Michigan Ice Dogs Midget AAA; Joel Maas, F, '84, Ice Dogs Midget AAA; Marc Bowen, G, '83, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)

Lansing Pride: Kraig Kuzma, F, '82, Muskegon HS (Mich.); Will Bruce, Nashville, Tenn.; Matt Bobo, D, '83, Marquette Electricians Midget AAA; Dave Pszenyczny, D, '85, Michigan Jaguars Midget AAA; Ryan Farrell, '83, F, Suffolk PAL Jr. B (NY)

Pittsburgh Forge: Douglas Conley, F, '83, Buffalo Saints Midget AAA; Dylan Reese, D, '84, Pittsburgh Hornets Midget AAA; Chris Wey, D, '83, Pittsburgh Hornets Midget AAA; Ken Trombetta, F, '82, Pittsburgh Hornets Midget AAA; Sean Berkstresser, F, '82, Pittsburgh Hornets Midget AAA; Brandon Warner, '83, D, Fort Wayne Komets Midget AAA; Andrew Brandt, F, '83, Team Wisconsin Midget AAA

Soo Indians: Larry Amick, F, '83, Chicago Chill Midget AAA; Kevin O'Connor, D, '84, HoneyBaked Midget AAA; Eric Sargent, F, '84, U.S. Under-17 Team; Tony Tyrrell, '82, D, Little Caesar's Midget AAA; Tim Morrison, F, '82, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL); Jamie Milam, D, '84, HoneyBaked Midget AAA

Springfield Jr. Blues: Patrick Tumilty, F, '84, Chicago Flames Midget AA; Henry Clemmons, D, '81, Connecticut Clippers Jr. B; Henry Carisio, '83, Connecticut Clippers Jr. B; Will Bodine, D, '81, New York Bobcats Jr. B

St. Louis Sting: Mitch Ganzak, D, '84, Compuware Midget AAA; Shawn McDonnell, F, '82, HoneyBaked Midget AAA; Bobby Pruchnik, G, '83, Michigan Ice Dogs Midget AAA; Adam Krug, F, '83, Michigan Ice Dogs Midget AAA; Matthew Poupore, '83, D, Tecumseh Jr. B (WOHL); Mark Fuqua, '83, Petrolia Jets Jr. B; Frank Furdero, '82, Grand Rapids Jr. Owls (CSHL)

Texas Tornado: Anthony Pellarin, '83, F, Ann Arbor Ice Dogs Midget AAA, Bill McCreary, F, '82, Shattuck-St. Mary's; Brian Gineo, F, '83, Connecticut Clippers Jr. B

 

5/15/01

Bacashihua Signs with Plymouth

University of Michigan recruit Jason Bacashihua, who opted in to the NHL draft on Saturday, has signed with the Plymouth Whalers (OHL). 

Academic struggles played a key role in the goaltender's decision, as he had yet to improve his ACT scores enough to get through the NCAA clearinghouse. He still could have, but it's quite possible he felt that enough was enough as far as book learning was concerned.      

In 39 games with the Chicago Freeze (NAHL), Bacashihua posted a 3.23 gaa and a .900 save percentage. A big, athletic goaltender with all the tools, he struggled with his consistency, but finished up with a strong performance at the Gold Cup in Chicago May 4-5. 

Bacashihua is currently projected to be a late second round or early third round pick for next month's NHL Draft.

A Michigan native who played in the HoneyBaked organizaton before going to the Freeze two seasons ago, Bacashihua is 6'1", 165 lbs and is a 9/20/82 birthdate.

Michigan returns Josh Blackburn, who'll be a senior this fall, and backup Kevin O'Malley, who'll also be a senior. 

Bacashihua's decision means that it's back to the drawing board for the Michigan staff. They'll look at walk-on candidates for the fall, and then look for a blue chip goalie for 2002-03. 

 

5/14/01

NAHL Draft List

Geez, it's getting too easy to get the NAHL draft list: it's on their website... on the day of the draft, no less. Unfortunately, it's alphabetical instead of round-by-round, and doesn't even list the players' names. Anyway, we'll get all that for you. 

NAHL Draft List

 

5/14/01

Final USHL Tender List

Here is the final USHL tender list, which includes 21 players -- their names are highlighted in red -- signed since our last updating (5/8).

The biggest coups of the last few days include Des Moines' signing of University of Denver-bound 6'1" LD Brett Skinner, an '83 who, playing for the Trail Smoke Eaters, was a second team all-star in the BCHL; the Chicago Steel's signing of 5'11" F Greg Rallo, an '81 from Gurnee, Ill. who scored 43 goals for the Springfield Junior Blues (NAHL); and Omaha's signing of  both 6'0" RD Matt Gens an '83 from Baudette, Minn. and the U.S. Under-18 team, and 5'11" F Justin Schabes, an '81 who notched 57 points for the Danville Wings (NAHL).  

Among the newly-signed tenders are a couple of college players: Cornell goaltender Chris Gartman, a sophomore who played just two games behind junior Matt Underhill and senior Ian Burt this season, will be with Des Moines; and 6'4", 215 lb. RPI freshman forward Josh Budish (0-1-1 in 14 games) will be with Lincoln. 

The USHL spring draft, which is open to all amateur players 20 years of age and under, will be held in Chicago on Wednesday. It's top secret, but we'll do our best to get you results. Entering the draft, each team must have no more than 20 players -- including the signed tenders that follow -- on its roster. After the draft, rosters will begin moving back up to 25 players, the maximum allowable. Once a roster reaches 25, a player cannot be added unless a player is cut. 

Cedar Rapids RoughRiders: Adam Olsen, F, '83, Alexandria HS (Minn.); Kevin Brooks, F, '82, Lawrence Academy (Mass.); Michael Pasley, F, '83, Buffalo Lightning Midget AAA (NY); Todd Bentley, F, '82, Compuware Ambassadors (NAHL).  

Chicago Steel: Greg Rallo, F, '81, Springfield Jr. Blues (NAHL); Aaron Grynol, F, '82, Winnipeg Saints (MJHL); Tom Gilbert, F/D, '83, Bloomington Jefferson HS (Minn.); Beau Kretzman, F, '83, Edina HS (Minn.)   

Des Moines Buccaneers: Chris Gartman, G, '81, Cornell University (ECAC); Kris Bouchard, F, '82, U.S. NTDP; Sean Kotary, F, '81, Bowling Green (CCHA); Brett Skinner, D, '83 Trail (BCHL)

Green Bay Gamblers: Joey Crabb, F, '83, U.S. Under-18 Team; Matt Greene, D, '83, U.S. Under-18 Team; Michael Bartlett, F, '85, Chicago Chill Midget AAA; Adam Hanson, D, '83, East Grand Forks HS (Minn.)

Lincoln Stars: Mike Eickman, D, '83, Red River HS; Adam Sando, '81, Minot (AWHL); Josh Budish, F, '81, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (ECAC); Thomas McElroy, D, '82, Armstrong HS (Minn.)

Omaha Lancers: Justin Schabes, F, '81, Danville Wings (NAHL); Matt Gens, D, '83, U.S. Under-18 Team; Ryan Foster, D, '81, Northfield-Mt. Hermon (Mass.); Grant Clafton, D, '83, Grand Rapids HS (Minn.) 

Rochester Mustangs: Tim Conboy, D, '82, Rochester Mustangs (USHL); Landon Holsen, F, '83, Team Wisconsin Midget AAA; James Martin, F, '83, Buffalo HS (Minn.); Derek Anderson, F, '82, Alaska Blue Devils Midget AAA

Sioux City Musketeers: Nathan Schwartzbauer, D, '82, Quesnel Millionaires (BCHL); Michael Ramirez, F, '84, Alaska All-Stars Midget AAA; Nate Thompson, F, '84, Alaska All-Stars Midget AAA; Michael Hodgson, D, '84, Queen's Park Jr. B (PIJHL)  

Sioux Falls Stampede: Layne Sedevie, G, '83, Billings Bulls (AWHL); Christopher Wothe, F, '84, Park Rapids HS (Minn.); Jake Wilkens, D, '84, Vernon Vipers (BCHL); Marty Sertich, F, '82, Roseville HS (Minn.) 

Topeka ScareCrows: Douglas Conley, F, '83, Buffalo Saints Midget AAA (NY); Vince Bellissimo, F, '82, St. Michael's (OPJHL); Eric Aarnio, G, '83, White Bear Lake HS (Minn.); Emery Olauson, F, '81, Estevan Bruins (SJHL)

Tri-City Storm: David Boguslawski, F, '83, Park/Cottage Grove HS (Minn.); Chris Nathe, D, '82, Elk River HS (Minn.); Jake Schuman, G, '83 Benilde-St. Margaret's (Minn.); Bobby Robins, '81, Great Falls (AWHL)

Tulsa Crude: Critter Nagurski, F, '83, International Falls HS (Minn.); Zach Blom, D, '83, Vail Midget AAA (Col.); Brandon Straub, D, '83, Vail Midget AAA (Col.); Kyle McNulty, G, '82, Hotchkiss School (Conn.). 

Waterloo Black Hawks: Aaron Johnson, F, '82, Armstrong HS (Minn.); Nathan Fornataro, D, '83, Calgary Flames Midget AAA (Alb.); Greg Ihnken, F, '83, Stratford Cullitons (WOJHL); Chris Margott, F, Ventura Mariners Jr. B (Calif.). 

Notes: Omaha got a tender back because defenseman Clay Wilson, signed in January, committed last week to Michigan Tech. 

A signed tender is simply an agreement to play for a particular team. In other words, a signed player may not change his mind and jump to another USHL team. However, a player can sign a tender and then jump to another league (not that it happens much). 

Each team is allowed to sign four tenders. In the past, teams were also allowed to trade tenders, a practice which has been discontinued effective this year. 

USHL protected teams were as follows this past season: 

Cedar Rapids RoughRiders --- Shattuck-St. Mary's

Chicago Steel -- Team Illinois

Des Moines Buccaneers -- Duluth East HS

Green Bay Gamblers -- Chicago Chill 

Lincoln Stars -- Red River HS

Omaha Lancers -- Detroit HoneyBaked

Rochester Mustangs -- Rochester Mayo HS

Sioux City Musketeers-- Pittsburgh Hornets

Sioux Falls Stampede -- Greenway HS

Topeka ScareCrows -- Los Angeles Jr. Kings

Tri-City Storm -- Bloomington Jefferson HS

Tulsa Crude -- Hastings HS
Waterloo Black Hawks -- Marquette Electricians

USHL Winter Draft Results; Jan. '01

 

5/12/01

NAHL Eliminates Red Line

Several major rule changes were made at the North American Hockey League meetings this week. Most notable is the ditching of the the red line. In addition, player eligibility requirements were tightened, and suspensions for accumulating large numbers of fighting majors were increased.  

The first rule, elimination of the red line, is long overdue. Fans can look forward to an increase in the tempo of games -- and scoring opportunities -- as the neutral zone opens up, thus allowing the high-skill players more options with the puck. Needless to say, this rule change is welcomed by college recruiters, who will now be able to evaluate players in a game more closely mirroring the college game. Those not welcoming it are big, slow-footed defensemen -- they'll be exposed by quick, savvy forwards getting behind them, picking up the long pass through the neutral zone, and breaking in for a shot on goal.  

The new eligibility rule will require players to either be cleared for college competition by the NCAA clearinghouse or be taking certain steps toward getting eligible, among them taking (or retaking) prescribed courses or prepping for the ACT or SAT. 

Imperiled by this rule are: 1) Kids who've already played pro. Right now you can forfeit college eligibility by playing pro in the East Coast League and Western Pro League -- and still come play in the NAHL. 2) Those who've played two years or more in the OHL -- they're also basically done as far as NCAA hockey is concerned. Players who've played one year in the OHL will continue to be OK.  3) The 20-year-old player in his last year of league eligibility who is doing nothing to get through the clearinghouse.

The new rule regarding fighting allows a player to accumulate up to five fighting majors in a season. After that, each additional major for fighting during the regular season will be accompanied by an automatic game ejection plus one additional game. If a player reaches 11 fighting majors, the penalty gets doubled to two games, and so on and so forth. Don't say we didn't warn you! 

 

5/11/01

A New Day for Nobles

Brian Day, who coached Delbarton School in New Jersey to a 22-2 record this past season, will be the new head coach at Noble & Greenough School in Dedham, Mass.

Day, who compiled a 169-45-13 record at Debarton, was an assistant at Middlebury College before taking the job at the New Jersey private school. He will also be teaching history and economics and will have a minor position in the admissions department. 

Reportedly, Day will have the power to choose his assistants. Unless Tom Daccord, Day's predecessor, is one of them, none will be on the faculty.

 

5/10/01

Toffey a Buckeye

St. Sebastian's senior center John Toffey, who scored the winning goal in the Arrows' 1-0 win over Cushing in the New England prep title game this March, will be playing for Ohio State in the fall. 

Toffey, who's 6'2" and 195 lbs., played in 29 games this year and posted a 23-25-48 line. 

Other schools Toffey visited included Northeastern, UMass-Amherst, and BU. 

An 11/26/82 birthdate from Barnstable, Mass., Toffey is a talented pitcher/shortstop who will be attempting to play both sports for the Buckeyes. His scholarship, however, is for hockey. 

 

5/10/01  

Going Back to a Different Place

Two former collegians, Jeremy Wilson and Rico Fatticci, teammates on the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL), will be heading back to college this fall, though to different schools than the ones they originally came from. 

Wilson, a 5'10", 186 lb. LW from Shrewsbury, Mass. and Cushing Academy who was expelled from Boston College in September for disciplinary reasons, will be heading back to Hockey East. This time, though, he'll be playing for UMass-Lowell and new head coach Blaise MacDonald. He will be eligible to play in the fall. This season for Cedar Rapids, Wilson, in 53 games, posted an 11-17-28 line with a hefty 221 pims. 

Two years ago, more than a few observers wondered why Fatticci, a 5'11" Hibbing HS defenseman, was going to Bemidji State (CHA) instead of taking a year in the USHL and then heading to a bigger school. Well, this Christmas, in the midst of his sophomore campaign, Fatticci left Bemidji for the USHL. Now, after a half-season with Cedar Rapids, Fatticci is heading to St. Cloud State University. However, he will be ineligible to play until the fall of 2002. Fatticci played 36 games for Cedar Rapids, posting a 3-11-14 line with 35 pims. 

***

Clay Wilson, an '83 defenseman from Cloquet (Minn.) HS, and a signed tender to the Omaha Lancers, has decided to head to college instead of the USHL. Wilson, who's 6'0", 185 lbs., will play for Michigan Tech. 

 

5/09/01

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

The deadline for opting into the NHL draft is this Saturday, and some believe University of Michigan goalie recruit Jason Bacashihua's likelihood of opting in to be a 50-50 proposition. Much of the speculation revolves around the fact that Bacashihua, who just finished his two-year career with the Chicago Freeze (NAHL) by putting on a show at the Gold Cup last weekend in Chicago, has not yet gotten through the NCAA Clearinghouse. However, the word from the Michigan coaching staff is that the goaltender's march toward eligibility is definitely on track, and that Bacashihua will be on campus in the fall. 

Bacashihua, who was drafted by the Plymouth Whalers (OHL) in May of last year, was the 12th-ranked goaltender on Central Scouting's final list last month. That came out before his Gold Cup performance, which boosted his stock.   

 

5/09/01

RPI, UNH Snag Cushing D-men 

A pair of Cushing defensemen, senior Blake Pickett and junior Brian Yandle, have made their college decisions. 

Pickett, a good-sized defensive defenseman who can play physically, will be headed to RPI for this fall. A 10/20/82 birthdate, Pickett, a right shot, is 6'1", 190 lbs., and hails from Coto de Caza, CA (go to Duluth, then head southwest). In 37 games this past season, Pickett had a 0-9-9 line.

Yandle, who still has a year left to go at Cushing, has committed to the University of New Hampshire. Noted for his pinpoint passes, Yandle can get the puck out of his own zone, and then set something up at the other end. A 5'11", 175 lb. right shot from Milton, Mass., Yandle, in 37 games this season, had a 12-18-30 line with 30 pims. A former Catholic Memorial standout, Yandle is a 5/29/83 birthdate.

 

5/09/01

USHL Signed Tenders

Here is the list of USHL signed tenders, updated through yesterday, and the number of tenders (in parentheses) remaining to each team. Check this list for additional signed tenders between now and Sunday's deadline. 

The USHL spring draft, which is open to all amateur players 20 years of age and under, will be held in Chicago on Wed. May 16th -- one week from today. It's top secret, but we'll do our best to get you results. Entering the draft, each team must have no more than 20 players -- including the signed tenders that follow -- on its roster. After the draft, rosters will begin moving back up to 25 players, the maximum allowable. Once a roster reaches 25, a player cannot be added unless a player is cut. 

Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (1): Adam Olsen, F, '83, Alexandria HS (Minn.); Kevin Brooks, F, '82, Lawrence Academy (Mass.); Michael Pasley, F, '83, Buffalo Lightning Midget AAA (NY)

Chicago Steel(1): Aaron Grynol, F, '82, Winnipeg Saints (MJHL); Tom Gilbert, F/D, '83, Bloomington Jefferson HS (Minn.); Beau Kretzman, F, '83, Edina HS (Minn.)   

Des Moines Buccaneers (3): Sean Kotary, F, '81, Bowling Green (CCHA)

Green Bay Gamblers (0): Joey Crabb, F, '83, U.S. Under-18 Team; Matt Greene, D, '83, U.S. Under-18 Team; Michael Bartlett, F, '85, Chicago Chill Midget AAA; Adam Hanson, D, '83, East Grand Forks HS (Minn.)

Lincoln Stars (3): Thomas McElroy, D, '82, Armstrong HS (Minn.)

Omaha Lancers (2): Clay Wilson, D, '83, Cloquet HS (Minn.); Grant Clafton, D, '83, Grand Rapids HS (Minn.) 

Rochester Mustangs (3): Tim Conboy, D, '82, Rochester Mustangs (USHL)

Sioux City Musketeers (1): Nathan Schwartzbauer, D, '82, Quesnel Millionaires (BCHL); Michael Ramirez, F, '84, Alaska All-Stars Midget AAA; Nate Thompson, F, '84, Alaska All-Stars Midget AAA  

Sioux Falls Stampede (0): Layne Sedevie, G, '83, Billings Bulls (AWHL); Christopher Wothe, F, '84, Park Rapids HS (Minn.); Jake Wilkens, D, '84, Vernon Vipers (BCHL); Marty Sertich, F, '82, Roseville HS (Minn.) 

Topeka ScareCrows (1): Douglas Conley, F, '83, Buffalo Saints Midget AAA (NY); Vince Bellissimo, F, '82, St. Michael's (OPJHL); Emery Olauson, F, '81, Estevan Bruins (SJHL)

Tri-City Storm (2): David Boguslawski, F, '83, Park/Cottage Grove HS (Minn.); Chris Nathe, D, '82, Elk River HS (Minn.)

Tulsa Crude (0): Critter Nagurski, F, '83, International Falls HS (Minn.); Zach Blom, D, '83, Vail Midget AAA (Col.); Brandon Straub, D, '83, Vail Midget AAA (Col.); Kyle McNulty, G, '82, Hotchkiss School (Conn.). 

Waterloo Black Hawks (3): Aaron Johnson, F, '82, Armstrong HS (Minn.) 

Notes: A signed tender is simply an agreement to play for a particular team. In other words, a signed player may not change his mind and jump to another USHL team. However, a player can sign a tender and then jump to another league (not that it happens much). 

Each team is allowed to sign four tenders. In the past, teams were also allowed to trade tenders, a practice which has been discontinued effective this year. 

USHL protected teams were as follows this past season: 

Cedar Rapids RoughRiders --- Shattuck-St. Mary's

Chicago Steel -- Team Illinois

Des Moines Buccaneers -- Duluth East HS

Green Bay Gamblers -- Chicago Chill 

Lincoln Stars -- Red River HS

Omaha Lancers -- Detroit HoneyBaked

Rochester Mustangs -- Rochester Mayo HS

Sioux City Musketeers-- Pittsburgh Hornets

Sioux Falls Stampede -- Greenway HS

Topeka ScareCrows -- Los Angeles Jr. Kings

Tri-City Storm -- Bloomington Jefferson HS

Tulsa Crude -- Hastings HS
Waterloo Black Hawks -- Marquette Electricians

USHL Winter Draft Results; Jan. '01

 

5/09/01

NAHL Signed Tenders

Here is the current list of NAHL signed tenders, which is at 31 players and counting. We will be updating it between now and Monday, when the NAHL will be holding its draft in Detroit. Teams have until Monday a.m., hours before the draft commences, to sign any additional tenders. 

Chicago Freeze: Bill Irish-Baker, F, '83, Buffalo Saints Midget AAA; Nick Lang, F, '83, HoneyBaked Midget AAA; Bryan Dobek, F, '83, HoneyBaked Midget AAA

Cleveland Barons: None

Compuware Ambassadors: Dan Peace, F, '84, Compuware Midget AAA; Justin Tobe, G, '84, Compuware Midget AAA; Patrick McGrath, D, '83, Compuware Midget AAA; David Rohlfs, F, '84, Compuware Midget AAA; Vinnie Jalaba, F, '83, Compuware Midget AAA; Alex Foster, F, '84, Compuware Midget AAA; Chase Podsiad, D, '84, Compuware Midget AAA

Danville Wings: Bryan Marshall, F, '83, HoneyBaked Midget AAA; Ryan Wright, F, '83, Michigan Ice Dogs Midget AAA; Joel Maas, F, '84, Ice Dogs Midget AAA

Lansing Pride: Kraig Kuzma, F, '82, Muskegon HS (Mich.); Will Bruce, ?????; Matt Bobo, D, '83, Marquette Electricians Midget AAA; Dave Pszenyczny, D, '85, Michigan Jaguars Midget AAA

Pittsburgh Forge: Douglas Conley, F, '83, Buffalo Saints Midget AAA; Dylan Reese, D, '84, Pittsburgh Hornets Midget AAA; Chris Wey, D, '83, Pittsburgh Hornets Midget AAA; Ken Trombetta, F, '82, Pittsburgh Hornets Midget AAA

Soo Indians: Larry Amick, F, '83, Chicago Chill Midget AAA; Kevin O'Connor, D, '84, HoneyBaked Midget AAA

Springfield Jr. Blues: Patrick Tumilty, F, '84, Chicago Flames Midget AAA; Henry Clemmons, D, '81, Connecticut Clippers Jr. B; Henry Carisio, '83, Connecticut Clippers Jr. B; Will Bodine, D, '81, New York Bobcats Jr. B

St. Louis Sting: Mitch Ganzak, D, '84, Compuware Midget AAA; Shawn McDonnell, F, '82, HoneyBaked Midget AAA; Bobby Pruchnik, G, '83, Michigan Ice Dogs Midget AAA; Adam Krug, F, '83, Michigan Ice Dogs Midget AAA

Texas Tornado: None

Note: You may have noticed that on the above list we are missing a team for Will Bruce. Please drop an e-mail to info@ushr.com with positions and teams played for last season, and we'll update accordingly. 

 

5/07/01

Two Top New England Forwards Make Their Picks

St. Sebastian's RW Mike Morris and New England Jr. Coyotes LW Torry Gajda have made their college choices.

Morris, a 5'11", 170 lb. 11th grader from Braintree, Mass., will be playing for Northeastern University a year from this fall. Morris, a 7/14/83 birthdate, played the recently-completed season with a bad shoulder, yet still finished with an 18-27-45 line in 28 games as the Arrows won the New England Prep Championship. 

Gajda, a 5'10", 170 lb. 12th grader from Westfield, Mass., lit up the EJHL this past season -- his second with the Coyotes -- and will be attending Providence College, possibly this fall if he gets through the NCAA Clearinghouse, but more likely in the fall of 2002. 

Gajda, a 5/31/83 birthdate from Westfield, Mass., was the EJHL's third-leading scorer this past season. Playing on a line with Chris Chaput, Gajda averaged better than two points per game, finishing with a 40-37-77 line in 36 games. (The two players who finished ahead of Gajda in the league scoring race, John Ronan and Derek Damon, are both '80 birthdates.)

When Gajda arrives at Providence College, whether it's this fall or next, he will become the eighth former New England Coyote on the Friars roster, joining current sophs Jon DiSalvatore and Peter Zingoni; current freshmen John Luszcz and Dominic Torretti; and incoming recruits Chaput, Eric Lundberg, and Jeff Mason.  

 

5/06/01

Lancers Golden

The Omaha Lancers knocked off the NAHL champion Texas Tornado, 7-5, to take the 2001 Gold Cup Saturday night in Geneva, Ill. 

The Lancers came out strong, rolling to a 4-1 lead after one period. Then, just 31 seconds into the second, Omaha defenseman Keith Ballard scored a power play goal to make it 5-1, at which point Texas goaltender Brandon Crawford-West was lifted. His replacement, 16-year-old Alvaro Montoya, held Omaha to two goals the rest of the way. At the other end, his teammates made things interesting with three third period goals, but it was too little, too late.

Omaha goaltender Ray Fraser stopped 37 of 42 shots for the win, while Keith Ballard (2g,1a), Riley Riddell (2g), and Dan Welch (1g,1a) led the way offensively. Aaron Slattengren and Ryan Ronkowski added single goals. 

Jason Deitsch (2g,2a), Jason Guerriero (2g), and Kyle Foddrill (2a) led the scoring parade for Texas. Rich Hansen added a single goal.

 2001 Gold Cup Title Game

 

5/05/01

O'Sullivan #1

U.S. National Team Development Program center Patrick O'Sullivan was, as expected, selected #1 overall in today's OHL draft. 

O'Sullivan was one of a total of 300 players drafted, 45 being Americans. Of that group, 40 are '85s; with the remaining five players -- look for the asterisk after their names below -- being '84s. 

Naturally, very few of these players will be playing in the OHL next year (and, for various reasons, most never will) -- indeed, many are already committed to teams for for 2001-02. However, an OHL team, by drafting a player, retains, for future use, the rights to that player.  

Below, the round number is followed by where within the given round the player was selected.

1/1 Mississauga -- Patrick O'Sullivan, LC, U.S. Under-17 Team

1/6 Sarnia -- Danny Fritsche, RC, Cleveland Barons (NAHL)

1/13 Guelph -- Matt Puntereri, LC, Pittsburgh Hornets '85

1/15 Windsor -- Frank Rediker, LD, Compuware (NAHL)

2/6 Kitchener -- Gary Klapkowski, RW, HoneyBaked '85   

2/7 London -- Gerald Coleman, G, U.S. Under-17 Team

3/2 Oshawa -- Garrett Vassel, LC, New York Bobcats Jr. B

3/4 Plymouth -- Tim Sestito*, LC, Syracuse Crunch Jr. A

3/6 Sarnia -- Dave Pszenyczny, LD, Michigan Jaguars Midgets

3/15 -- Windsor -- Alvaro Montoya, G, Texas Tornado (NAHL)

3/19 Kitchener -- Bill Kinkel*, RW, Nichols School

4/9 Peterborough -- Aaron Dawson, LD, Team Illinois '85

4/11 North Bay -- Mike Brown, G, HoneyBaked '85

4/20 Erie -- Jacob Heller, RD, Chicago Young Americans '85

5/4 Plymouth -- Chris Robinson, RD, HoneyBaked '85

5/6 Plymouth -- Steve Phillips, LW, HoneyBaked '85

5/13 Guelph -- Michael Okrzesik, LD, Pittsburgh Hornets '85

6/13 North Bay -- Phillip Kozak, RD, Compuware '85

7/11 Plymouth -- Ryan Suter, LD, Culver Military Academy

7/19 Plymouth -- Mike Brown, RC, Chicago Chill Midgets

8/13 Guelph -- Matt Hunwick, LD, HoneyBaked Midgets

9/15 Windsor -- T.J. Hensick, RC, HoneyBaked Midgets

10/13 Guelph -- Michael Bartlett, RW, Chicago Chill Midgets

11/2 Oshawa -- Tom Train, LW, Belle Tire '85

11/4 Kitchener -- Alex Spezia, RD, HoneyBaked '85

11/9 Plymouth -- John Vigilante, LC, Compuware '85

11/10 Owen Sound -- Ryan Maki, RC, Alvinston Jr. C 

11/19 Plymouth -- Jeff Harris, LD, Compuware '85

12/1 Mississauga -- Stewart Carlin, RD, Compuware '85

12/6 Sarnia -- Mark Schwamberger*, LW, U.S. Under-17 Team

12/7 Kingston -- Brandon Jackmuff*, RC, Philadelphia Jr. Flyers

12/8 Barrie -- Chris McElroy, RD, West Michigan Warriors '85

12/11 North Bay -- Jason Dest*, LD, Michigan Jaguars

13/9 Plymouth -- Dan Miller, G, Compuware '85

13/13 Guelph -- Marc Howe, RC, Palm Beach Panthers

13/19 Erie -- Ryan Ward, RC, Michigan Ice Dogs '85

14/6 Erie -- Derek Merlini, LW, Little Caesar's '85

14/9 Windsor -- Jon Globke, LC, Little Caesar's '85

14/14 Ottawa -- Ryan Mahrle, RD, Detroit HoneyBaked '85

14/20 Erie -- Chris Greene, RW, Lake Placid (NY) HS

15/4 Kitchener -- Nicholas Duff, LW, Michigan Ice Dogs '85

15/5 London -- Jeff Dunn, RD, St. Louis Midgets

15/9 Windsor -- Josh Sciba, LC, Compuware (NAHL)

15/13 Guelph -- Ryan Callahan, RW, Rochester (NY) Jr. B

15/16 St. Mike's -- Michael Arcieri, RC, New York Bobcats Jr. B

2001 OHL Draft: The Full List

 

5/05/01

Omaha, Texas Advance to National Finals 

A goal at 8:35 of OT by Omaha center Jake Fleming, who was playing with a broken finger, lifted the Lancers to a 4-3 win over the Chicago Freeze last night in Geneva, Ill.

Earlier, the Texas Tornado edged the Great Falls Americans, 2-1. 

Texas will meet Omaha in the championship game tonight at 8:00 CST.

 Lancers, Texas Advance

 

5/04/01

OHL Draft on Tap 

The OHL Draft gets underway tomorrow morning (Sat. May 5) and will be conducted entirely over the Internet. In other words, no podium, no names being announced, no news conferences, no photo ops -- nothing. Perhaps this is the wave of the future, but hockey, like anything else, is about people and the OHL's new approach seems impersonal in the extreme. 

That doesn't mean we won't be following it with interest. You can, too, just click on: 

2001 OHL Draft Selections

starting sometime after the draft's beginning at 9 a.m. Don Cherry's Mississauga Ice Dogs, an unfathomably bad team that won just three times in 68 games this past season, has the #1 pick. 

One big story from the American side concerns U.S. NTDP teammates  Gerald Coleman and Patrick O'Sullivan, the two underagers (both are '85s) who played this past season with the U.S. Under-17 team that won the World Hockey Challenge in Nova Scotia over New Year's.

Coleman, an Evanston, Ill. native whom many feel is the best U.S. goaltending prospect since Rick DiPietro, has rebuffed the advances of agents and OHL teams and will continue with the National Program. In arriving at his decision all the 6'3" Coleman had to do was look to DiPietro, who, 12 months after graduating from the program in 1999, was the #1 overall pick in last June's NHL draft -- and in the show just months later. Coleman is still likely to get drafted tomorrow, but look for it be in the form of a late-round flyer. 

O'Sullivan, a 5'10", 178 lb. forward from Sterling Heights, Michigan, is said to be leaning toward the O, and he could be the first pick overall tomorrow. O'Sullivan, a potent combination of grit and skill who didn't turn 16 until February, had an excellent season, leading the Under-17 team with a 30-45-75 line in 64 games this season. If O'Sullivan goes to Mississauga, which will almost certainly miss the playoffs again, he'll be available to help his old teammates at next April's World Under-17's to be held, by the way, in either Slovakia or Russia. 

 

5/04/01

Gold Cup Gets Underway Today

The 2001 Jr. A National Championship, hosted by the Chicago Freeze (NAHL), gets underway this afternoon. Here's the schedule: 

Today: Great Falls Americans (AWHL) vs. Texas Tornado (NAHL), 4:00 pm CST; Chicago Freeze (NAHL) vs. Omaha Lancers (USHL), 8:00 pm CST.

Tomorrow: Consolation game, 4:00 CST; Championship Game, 8:00 pm CST

The favorites, of course, are Omaha and Texas. Both are coming off their respective league championships and both have goalies who are red hot -- Ray Fraser for the Lancers, and Brandon Crawford-West for Texas.

Look for the Lancers to take the whole thing. That's hardly going out on a limb -- USHL teams have won the Gold Cup 13 times in the past 15 years. Still, this is a single-elimination...  

 

5/03/01

Dillon Top Yank in WHL Draft

6'2" RD Spencer Dillon of the Shattuck-St. Mary's bantam squad was the top U.S.-born player taken in the WHL bantam draft, held today in Calgary, Alberta. Dillon was selected by Portland with the 13th pick of the first round.  

Players from Minnesota and westward are eligible for the draft. Here is the complete list of the U.S. kids taken, with hometown. All are '85s.

Round 1 (#13 overall), PORTLAND -- Spencer Dillon, D; Drain, Oregon

Rd. 2 (#24 o.a.), TRI-CITIES: Jason Beeman, F; Diamond Bar, Calif.

Rd. 2 (#25 o.a.), LETHBRIDGE: C.J. Jackson, F; Tacoma, Wash.

Rd. 2 (#37 o.a.), SEATTLE: Aaron Bader, F; Faribault, Minn.

Rd. 4 (#63 o.a.), SEATTLE: Zack Fitzgerald, D; Duluth, Minn.

Rd. 4 (#70 o.a.), PORTLAND: Aaron Roberge, F; Post Falls, Idaho

Rd. 6 (#112 o.a.), SPOKANE: Casey Borer, D; Brooklyn Park, Minn.

Rd. 7 (#120 o.a.), REGINA: David Graden, D; Burnsville, Minn.

Rd. 7 (#123 o.a.), BRANDON: Dustin Byfuglien, F; Roseau, Minn.

Rd. 8 (#137 o.a.), MEDICINE HAT: J.D. Corbin, F; Littleton, Col.

Rd. 8 (#140 o.a.), SEATTLE: Ryan Raven; Tacoma, Wash.

Rd. 8 (#146 o.a.), PORTLAND: Eric Jones, D; Newport Beach, Cal.

Rd. 9 (#158 o.a.), LETHBRIDGE: Gideon Stotts; Spokane, Wash.

Rd. 9 (#164 o.a.), KAMLOOPS: Robert Earl, F; Los Angeles, Cal. 

Rd. 9 (#165 o.a.), PORTLAND: Jacob Hipp, F; Bismarck, ND

Rd. 10 (#177 o.a.), LETHBRIDGE: Tyler Beachell; Rosser, Minn.

Rd. 11 (#209 o.a.), RED DEER: Tyler Ludwig, F; Colleyville, Texas

Rd. 12 (#210 o.a.), RED DEER: Trevor Ludwig, D; Colleyville, Texas

Going #1 overall was center Kyle Chipchura of Vimy, Alberta. For the full list go to www.whl.ca

 

5/02/01

One Challenging Schedule 

U.S. National Team Development Program director of operations Scott Monaghan is busily hammering out the final details on a schedule for next year's National Under-18 team that will include more college games than ever before. 

So far, 11 games have been nailed down. They are:

Thurs. Oct. 4 at Michigan Tech

Sat. Oct. 6 at Lake Superior State

Sat. Oct. 13 at Ohio State

Sat. Oct. 20 at Denver

Sun. Oct. 21 at Air Force

Sat.-Sun. Nov. 24-25 at Colby Classic -- vs. Colby and Bowdoin

Fri.-Sat. Dec. 14-15 home vs RIT 

Fri. Dec. 21 at Notre Dame

Sat. Jan. 26 at Harvard

Also, look for a weekend with Yale and Fairfield -- the former is probable; the latter definite. A weekend with Clarkson and St. Lawrence at Lake Placid could happen as well. Findlay is highly likely for a home-and-home series. Wayne State has been tentatively penciled in, though no date has been set. Boston University remains a possibility.  

The goal is to have a maximum of 19-21 college games on the schedule. And, while almost every program would like to schedule games with the Under-18 team (it's a good recruiting tool), they also don't have a lot of open dates past October, so some shoehorning is inevitable. Harvard, for example, plays the Under-18's after coming off a two-week break for reading period (the university's quaint anachronism for exam break).   

 The 2000-01 schedule for the Under-18's -- primarily '84 birthdates -- breaks down thusly:

-- 23 games vs. Jr. A teams (one road game vs. each USHL team, and one home game vs. each NAHL team.) 

-- 19 to 21 games vs. a mix of Div. I and Div. III colleges.

-- 15 international games spread over three European trips, one in November, one in February, and, in April, the World Under-18 championship.

Speaking of next April's World Under-18 championship, it will likely be held in either Slovakia or Russia. There's a good chance the event will be held in this country in either 2003 or 2004. Lake Placid is a natural choice, but other cities and venues are likely to step forward. 

 

5/02/01

Tharp: "I Wasn't Having a lot of Fun" 

5'11" sophomore defenseman Ben Tharp and backup goaltender Pete Samargia, also a sophomore, are leaving the University of Minnesota and will likely join Division III programs. 

Tharp told the Minnesota Daily, the university's student paper, that "I wasn't having a lot of fun. I was thinking that Division I hockey wasn't for me. It all got to be a little too much."

"But it was totally my decision," Tharp added. "No one else had any bearing on it." 

Coach Don Lucia said Tharp's decision "caught me off guard." 

Tharp, a former star at Hastings HS, played in 38 games for the Gophers this past season and had a 4-4-8 line. He's likely to head to St. Thomas College (St. Paul, Minn.) and play both baseball and hockey.

Tharp's decision makes it extremely likely that Judd Stevens will come directly to the Gophers in the fall instead of taking a full year in the USHL. Stevens, a 6'1" RD, played for Wayzata HS and the Green Bay Gamblers this past season. 

With Dylan Mills graduating, the top returnees on the Gophers' blue line in the fall will be seniors Jordan Leopold and Nick Angell, junior Matt DeMarchi, and sophomore Paul Martin. Sophomore Joey Martin (18 gp this season) and senior Mark Nenovich (9 gp) will also compete for playing time. Incoming recruits are Stevens, Omaha Lancers D Keith Ballard, and Cedar Rapids Roughriders D/F Brett MacKinnon. 

Samargia, a sophomore out of Eveleth HS who played just parts of five games this season (169 min./2.13 gaa/.919 save %) as backup to Adam Hauser probably saw the handwriting on the wall, as Hauser will be entering his senior year in the fall while freshman Travis Weber arrives from the U.S. National Program as the heir apparent. 

Samargia is said to be leaning toward transferring to Augsberg College.

 

5/01/01 

Lovejoy Accelerating

6'2", 200 lb. right-shot D Ben Lovejoy, currently a sophomore at Deerfield Academy, will accelerate and join the senior class there this fall. 

The next step is for colleges to be officially notified. 

An offensive defenseman with size and strength, Lovejoy will be the object of some heavy recruiting this summer, though Boston College is the clear front runner for his services.  

Lovejoy was a standout on the U.S.A. Hockey Under-17 Team that won the gold at the Four Nations Tournament last August in the Czech Republic. 

A 2/20/84 birthdate, Lovejoy is from Canaan, N.H., where his father is an administrator at the Cardigan Mountain School. Lovejoy played for Cardigan Mountain before going on to Deerfield in the fall of 1999. 

***

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