11/1/06
Former OHLer Stiffed On College Package?
Brody Todd, who played for four OHL teams over a five-year period, is suing the League and one of its teams for education money he insists was owed him under his contract.
The 6’2”, 225 lb. LW from Thorold, Ontario, now 22, said he has tried to get the league and/or the team that originally drafted him, the Kingston Frontenacs, to honor his contract.
The dispute between the Frontenacs and Todd apparently goes back to the player’s second year in the league, ’01-02. The team argues that Todd quit for a two-week period, thus nullifying the contract.
Todd said he didn’t quit – he asked for a trade and was sent home. Shortly afterward, he was traded to Sudbury.
Todd says his major junior contract called for annual contributions toward his university education for four years.
Currently, Todd is a second-year student at Acadia University, where he’s taking a double major in history and English. While playing major junior, he wrote a novel, “Reversing Motion” which is about a young boy who witnesses his stepfather’s death in a car crash and the aftermath, in which he attempts to put his life back together.
Todd said that within days of his lawsuit being filed, he got a check. “We’re talking a year later,” he said. Last year, due to his check not arriving, Todd encountered difficulties and not only had to take out a student loan, but was also unable to enroll in school right away.
”I hope (this) will open some people’s eyes and make them realize that this is wrong,” Todd told a reporter. “Maybe a lot of other players will feel, ‘I don’t have to put up with this. I don’t have to be afraid of fighting back.’”
11/30/06
Wahs to Cats
Wahsontiio Stacey, a Mohawk from the Kahnawake First Nation in Quebec who plays for the Notre Dame Hounds (SJHL), has committed to the University of Vermont for next year.Stacey committed last year to Minnesota-Duluth but said afterward that “rushed into the decision” and instead returned to Notre Dame for another season.
The connection that brought the 5’8”, 185 lb. RW from Quebec to Notre Dame, the noted prep school in Wilcox, Saskatchewan, was Phil Lecavalier, who attended Notre Dame and Clarkson and is now a Montreal-based agent. Lecavalier is also the brother of Tampa Bay forward Vincent Lecavalier.
This time around, Stacey made his final pick from between Vermont and Maine, the two teams he saw play on his official visit to Vermont over Thanksgiving. (Vermont won, 3-2). Colorado College and St. Cloud State had been involved earlier.
Wahsontiio, which means “beautiful night” in Mohawk, is better known as simply “Wahs.” Last year’s rookie of the year in the Sask League, he has a 15-13-28 line in 23 games so far this season.
A 8/22/88 birthdate from Kahnawake, Que., just outside Montreal, Stacey is quick, ultra-competitive, and has excellent hockey sense – he might be better as a set-up guy than a pure goal scorer.
Stacey was a fifth round draft pick of Drummondville (QMJHL), but had already enrolled at Notre Dame and made it clear that he was pursuing the college option.
Several years ago, Stacey played on a summer team with some New Jersey kids like BU’s Luke Popko and UVM’s Chris Atkinson.
11/29/06
Prep Season Opens Today
The 2006-07 prep season gets underway for real today.
Please note that, due to fog in South Kent's arena, today's scheduled Avon Old Farms at South Kent game will instead be played at Avon, with a starting time of 4:00 pm.
Also note that today's Governor Dummer Academy at St. Paul's game will start at 4:30 -- an hour later than originally scheduled.
Please go to the USHR Prep Pages – either boys or girls – for schools' individual schedules and rosters as well as a weekly composite schedule.
11/27/06
DiMarzo Dismissed at Union
5’8” Union sophomore forward Augie DiMarzo has been dismissed from the Dutchmen by head coach Nate Leaman.According to reporter Ken Schott of the Schenectady Daily Gazette, Leaman was asked if there was a specific reason for DiMarzo’s dismissal. Leaman, however, would not elaborate, citing federal privacy laws.
Leaman was asked if DiMarzo would be invited back on the team next season. The coach responded with a definitive “No.”
”It was the head coach’s decision,” Leaman told Schott. “There’s ideals and standards that I have for students in the program. I have ideals and standards for their work ethic and their classroom, how hard they work in school, how hard they work on the ice and, also, how they represent themselves as part of the program. That’s all I’ll say.”
Schott says that DiMarzo, who was the Dutchmen’s second-leading scorer as a freshman last season, attended Union’s 4-3 win over UMass Saturday night and, after the game, was seen hugging his former teammates and talking with fans. When DiMarzo was asked for his side of the story, he turned away, said nothing, and walked out of the building.
DiMarzo, from West Haven, Conn., was one of the key players in Avon Old Farm’s winning the New England Prep Championship for two consecutive years ('04, '05). He turned 21 last month, so has no junior eligibility remaining.
11/27/06
Oliver to Huskies
St. Cloud State University received a verbal commitment from Nick Oliver, a sophomore forward at Roseau High School.
A 5/4/91 birthdate, Oliver was one of the top forwards at this summer’s Select 15 Festival in St. Cloud. A 6’2”, 185 lb. left-shot center, Oliver played the tournament hurt (knee), but still stood out. He’s big, he plays hard, he has skill, and a sense of the game.
Last season, Oliver played for the Roseau Bantams and, in 60 games, posted a 40-70-110 line.
***
5’10”, 175 lb. forward Ty Murovich of the Chicago Steel (USHL) has committed to Western Michigan for either ’08 or ’09.
Murovich, a 12/4/89 birthdate, just joined the Steel last weekend.
A product of the Pittsburgh Predators Midget AAA program, Murovich is a quick, skilled, dynamic wing who plays with an edge.
11/26/06
Carey Makes His Pick
Salisbury School 6’0”, 180 lb. junior LC Paul Carey has made a verbal commitment to Boston College for the fall of ’08.A 9/24/88 birthdate from North Weymouth, Mass., Carey is eligible for June’s NHL draft and could go in the top few rounds.
Carey played at Thayer Academy in ’03-04 and ’04-05. Last season he was a repeat sophomore at Salisbury and posted a 16-11-27 line. Carey, you may recall, missed the prep semis with a case of strep and a 102 degree temperature, but returned for the championship game the next day and scored the goal that started Salisbury’s three- goal third-period comeback.
Carey, a cousin of former CM/Wisconsin/NHL goaltender Jim Carey and former BC High/Stanford/Baltimore Orioles first baseman Paul Carey, chose BC over Harvard, BU, and Providence.
Other BC commitments for the fall of ’08 are defensemen Tommy Cross and Edwin Shea, and forwards Jimmy Hayes and Cam Atkinson.
Note:
Belmont Hill senior forward Matt McCollem, a Harvard recruit and a sixth round St. Louis Blues pick in last summer's draft, was at yesterday's Belmont Hill scrimmages -- but not in uniform.
McCollem, who suffered a concussion playing in the Labor Day Tournament at the New England Sports Center in Marlboro, is skating but will not be able to play full-contact hockey until January at the earliest.
11/24/06
USA Hockey Summer ’07 Select Camps
USA Hockey has released the dates for next summer’s select camps. They are:
Select 14 Player Development Camp
ESL Sports Centre – Rochester, NY
July 14-20, 2007
12 teams (each team: 12 forwards, 6 D, 2 goalies)= 240 players
Select 15 Player Development Camp
National Hockey Center – St. Cloud, Minn.
July 28-Aug. 3, 2007
12 teams (each team: 12 forwards, 6 D, 2 goalies)= 240 players
Select 16 Player Development Camp
ESL Sports Centre – Rochester, NY
June 23-29, 2007
12 teams (each team: 12 forwards, 6 D, 2 goalies)= 240 players
Select 17 Player Development Camp
National Hockey Center – St. Cloud, Minn.
July 7-13, 2007
12 teams (each team: 12 forwards, 6 D, 2 goalies)= 240 players
The dates above are for players only. The staff will arrive one day earlier.
11/23/06
Beantown Fall Classic Schedule Finalized
The Beantown Fall Classic, New England’s top midget AAA tournament now in its second year, runs from Fri. Dec. 1 to Sun. Dec. 3. The majority of games will be held at The Rinks at Exeter, NH (not to be confused with Phillips Exeter Academy’s rinks) and the University of New Hampshire’s Whittemore Center.
The 16-team midget AAA division features six teams that were in the U18 Nationals last April: Pittsburgh, Dallas, the Chill, Shattuck, Belle Tire, and the LA Junior Kings. Team Illinois was the #1 ranked midget team but was upended in regionals.
Divisions:
Midget A:
Pictou Weeks (Nova Scotia)
Anaheim Junior Ducks
Team Illinois
Texas Attack
Midget B:
Shattuck-St. Mary’s
Northwood School
Chicago Chill
Boston Jr. Bruins (Empire)
Midget C:
Belle Tire
LA Jr. Kings
Chicago Young Americans
Dartmouth Subways (Nova Scotia)
Midget D:
Dallas Stars
Chicago Mission
Pittsburgh Hornets
Victory Honda
In addition, while not part of the tourney (i.e. not playoff-eligible) there are also two New England prep teams on hand: Cushing and Tilton will face off Sunday morning at 10 am at UNH.
There will also be a heavyweight EJHL match between the Boston Jr. Bruins and the NH Monarchs at 1:20 pm Friday afternoon at the Rinks at Exeter. On Saturday, there will be another EJHL tilt, this one between Green Mountain and the Boston Harbor Wolves. On Sunday at 3:00 pm there will be an Atlantic Hockey League game between the Portland Jr. Pirates and the Walpole Express.
Fri. Dec. 1, 2006:
@ The Rinks at Exeter
9:40 am – Shattuck-St. Mary’s vs. Northwood
11:30 am – Boston Junior Bruins (Empire) vs. Chicago Chill
11:30 am -- Dallas Stars vs. Victory Honda
1:20 pm – Boston Junior Bruins (EJHL) vs. NH Monarchs (EJHL)
1:20 pm – Chicago Mission vs. Pittsburgh Hornets
3:50 pm – Pictou Weeks vs. Team Illinois
5:30 pm – Anaheim Jr. Ducks vs. Texas Attack
@ UNH Whittemore Center
7:30 am – Pictou Weeks vs. Texas Attack
9:20 am – Anaheim Jr. Ducks vs. Team Illinois
11:10 am -- Belle Tire vs. Dartmouth Subways
4:45 pm – LA Jr. Kings vs. Chicago Young Americans
6:45 pm – Northwood vs. Boston Junior Bruins (Empire)
8:45 pm – Shattuck-St. Mary’s vs. Chicago Chill
Sat. Dec. 2, 2006:
@ The Rinks at Exeter
8:00 am – Chicago Young Americans vs. Dartmouth Subways
9:40 am – Belle Tire vs. LA Jr. Kings
11:20 am – Northwood vs. Chicago Chill
1:00 pm – Shattuck-St. Mary’s vs. Boston Junior Bruins (Empire)
1:40 pm – Team Illinois vs. Texas Attack
2:40 pm – Pictou Weeks vs. Anaheim Jr. Ducks
3:30 pm – Green Mountain Glades (EJHL) vs. Boston Harbor Wolves (EJHL)
4:30 pm – Dallas Stars vs. Chicago Mission
6:10 pm – LA Jr. Kings vs. Dartmouth Subways
6:20 pm – Victory Honda vs. Pittsburgh Hornets
7:50 pm – Belle Tire vs. Chicago Young Americans
@ UNH Whittemore Center
7:50 am – Dallas Stars vs. Pittsburgh Hornets
9:40 am – Chicago Mission vs. Victory Honda
Sun. Dec. 3, 2006:
@ The Rinks at Exeter
7:30 am – 15 vs. 16
7:40 am – 13 vs. 14
9:10 am -- Group A 1st vs. Group B 1st
9:20 am -- Group C 1st vs. Group D 1st
10:10 am – 11 vs 12
10:20 am –9 vs. 10
11:50 am – 7 vs. 8
12:10 pm – 5 vs. 6
1:40 pm – Midget Gold Medal Game
2:00 pm – Midget Bronze Medal Game
3:00 pm – Portland Jr. Pirates vs. Walpole Express (AJHL)
@ UNH Whittemore Center
10:00 am – Cushing Academy vs. Tilton
11/22/06
Give Thanks to These Men
It hasn’t been a great season for AIC -- at 0-9-0 in Atlantic Hockey and 0-11-0 overall, they could be the country’s worst Div. I team right now -- but, off the ice, two of their players came up big early last Sunday morning.
We’re talking really big – as in possibly saving as many as six lives.
Last Saturday, AIC was off and senior goaltender Matt Tourville and a few other teammates were hanging out at the apartment of junior defenseman Chris Bolognino, who lives in Springfield’s South End.
Tourville and Bolognino fell asleep, but woke after 5 am Sunday. Bolognino offered to drive his teammate home, and Tourville took him up on it.
That’s when things took a turn for the dramatic.
As Tourville walked up to his front porch he noticed the porch of a nearby apartment engulfed in fire – and the blaze was spreading furiously.
The two teammates took off running for the building, at 134-136 Orange St., with Bolognino dialing 911 as he ran.
Arriving at the house, they banged on the downstairs door. Within a minute or two, the four first-floor tenants emerged from their apartment.
But upstairs, according to a report in the Springfield Republican, the flames were blazing out of control.
An elderly woman came down and told Bolognino and Tourville that her son was asleep upstairs. Bolognino took off up the stairs, where flames surrounded them and the smoke was so thick they couldn’t see.
They screamed until the woman’s son woke up and stumbled down the stairs.
”You could hear the wood cracking and the glass shattering, it went up so fast. We were yelling and yelling, ‘There’s a fire, you have to get out.’ It really hit me later how scary it was, and what could have happened,” Tourville told a reporter.
Bolognino said, “I’ve never seen anything like it. You think if you have a fire, you’ll grab all your things you can. It’s not even worth it. Just get out.”
As for their being heroes, Bolognino said, “We didn’t really think about it. We just did it.”
Springfield Fire Department spokesman Dennis G. Leger told the Republican that he planned to submit the names of the two teammates for two awards – the Red Cross Hometown Heroes award and the Frank J. Murphy Medal of Valor.
AIC hockey coach Gary Wright said, “I am so proud of these kids. Chris and Matt are prime examples of what a student-athlete is all about.”
Bolognino, 23, is from Carol Stream, Illinois and played junior hockey for the Springfield Jr. Blues (NAHL) before coming to AIC.
Tourville, 24, is from Sandwich, Mass., and played for the Green Mountain Glades (EJHL) before enrolling at AIC.
11/19/06
Only Irish Need Apply
The IIHF 2007 Div. III World Championships are coming to Ireland April 15-21, 2007 and Ireland is putting out the call for prospective players.
If you are an Irish citizen, were born in Ireland, or are of Irish descent (by father or grandfather) you are eligible to play for the squad.
For more info call or write coach Jim Tibbetts at +33 326 03 5945 or email jimtibbetts17 (at) yahoo.com
Tibbetts, who was GM/assistant coach on the 1998 French Olympic Team coached by Herb Brooks, played at Providence College.
Last year around this time Tibbetts brought the Irish National Team to the Boston area, where we saw them scrimmage Belmont Hill.
Belmont Hill had an easy time with them as did the Boston Harbor Wolves (EJHL). We didn’t see anybody on the Irish squad that looked like they could help a halfway decent prep school team -- if they were of the right age, that is.
So it’s understating things to say that Ireland, ranked 44th out of 45 internationally, could use some help. This could actually be a fun opportunity for the right players in the right situation. Ireland should be able to field a very competitive team on kids from the Boston area alone.
The tournament will be played in a brand-new arena, the Dundalk Ice Dome, which is due to be completed next month. The whole country of Ireland only has two arenas right now.
Ireland’s World Championship schedule: April 15 vs. Mongolia; April 16 vs. New Zealand; April 18 vs. Armenia; April 19 vs. South Africa; and April 21 vs. Luxembourg.
For more information check out the Irish Ice Hockey Association website at www.iiha.org
11/13/06
Americans in the AHL
Rob Cutting, who runs hockeyeast.blogspot.com, has sent along a list he compiled of American-born players playing in the AHL as of 11/11/06. Players are listed by team along with their birth date and hometown.
There are 158 Americans in the AHL with 30 – a little less than 20% -- of them taking the Canadian major junior route. Six out of the 30 players that went through major juniors started out in college before making the switch. They are denoted with a *$.
* Major Junior
*$ College to Major Junior
# May not be on active roster
Albany River Rats:
David Gove, '78, Centerville, MA
Keith Aucoin, '78, Waltham, MA
Pat Dwyer, '83, Great Falls, MT
Matt Murley, '79, Troy, NY
Jesse Boulerice, '78, Plattsburg, NY*
Tim Conboy, '82, Farmington, MN
Jeff Finger, '79, Hancock, MI
J.D. Forrest, '81, Auburn, NY
Binghamton Senators:
Ryan Vesce, '82, Lloyd Harbor, NY
Grant Potulny, '80, Grand Forks, ND
Josh Hennessy, '85, Brockton, MA*
Bobby Robins, '81, Peshtigo, WI
Neil Komadoski, '82, Chesterfield, MO
Charlie Cook, '82, Port Huron, MI
Andy Hedlund, '78, Osseo, MN
David Cacciola, '82, Burlington, MA
Bridgeport Sound Tigers:
Eric Boguniecki, '75, New Haven, CT
Peter Ferraro, '73, Port Jefferson, NY
Kevin Mitchell, '80, Bronx, NY*
Chicago Wolves:
Jared Ross, '82, Huntsville, AL
Jordan LaVallee, '86, Corvallis, OR*
Joey Crabb, '83, Anchorage, AK
Colin Stuart, '82, Oak Park, IL
Stephen Baby, '80, Chicago, IL
Brett Sterling, '84, Los Angeles, CA
Brian Fahey, '81, Glenview, IL
Jimmy Sharrow, '85, Framingham, MA*
Brian Sipotz, '81, South Bend, IN
Troy Milam, '80, Lake Orion, MI
Grand Rapids Griffins:
Kip Miller, '69, Lansing, MI
Matt Hussey, '79, New Haven, CT
Josh Langfeld, '77, Coon Rapids, MN
Brad Norton, '75, Cambridge, MA
Tom Galvin, '79, Staten Island, NY#
Jimmy Howard, '84, Syracuse, NY
Hamilton Bulldogs:
(none)
Hartford Wolf Pack:
Dwight Helminen, '83, Hancock, MI
Greg Moore, '84, Lisbon, ME
Brandon Dubinsky, '86, Anchorage, AK*
Lee Falardeau, '83, Midland, MI
Ryan Callahan, '85, Rochester, NY*
Hugh Jessiman, '84, New York, NY
Marvin Degon, '83, Worcester, MA
Jake Taylor, '83, Rochester, MN
Bryce Lampman, '82, Rochester, MN*$
Al Montoya, '85, Glenview, IL
Hershey Bears:
Matt Koalska, '80, St. Paul, MN
Chris Bourque, '86, Boston, MA
Matt Hendricks, '81, Blaine, MN
Dave Steckel, '82, West Bend, WI
Stephen Werner, '84, Chevy Chase, Maryland
Trevor Byrne, '80, Hingham, MA
Houston Aeros:
Bryan Lundbohm, '77, Roseau, MN
Danny Irmen, '84, Fargo, ND
Josh Olson, '81, Fargo, ND*
Wyatt Smith, '77, Thief River Falls, MN
Erik Reitz, '82, Detroit, MI*
Peter Ratchuk, '77, Buffalo, NY*$
Tony Quesada, '82, South Freeport, ME
Iowa Stars:
Marty Sertich, '82, Colorado Springs, CO
Chris Conner, '83, Ypsilanti, MI
Dan Hacker, '82, El Centro, CA
Jared Nightingale, '82, Cheboygan, MI
Matt Nickerson, '85, Old Lyme, CT*$
Lowell Devils:
Stephen Gionta, '83, Rochester, NY
Ryan J. Murphy, '79, Van Nuys, CA
Jason Ryznar, '83, Anchorage, AK
Dan LaCouture, '77, Hyannis, MA
Patrick Davis, '86, Sterling, MI*
Barry Tallackson, '83, Grafton, ND
Mike Mottau, '78, Quincy, MA
Andy Greene, '82, Trenton, MI
David Hale, '81, Colorado Springs, CO
Scott Lachance, '72, Charlottesville, VA
Jordan Parise, '82, Faribault, MN
Manchester Monarchs:
Patrick O’Sullivan, '85, Winston-Salem, NC*
Jeff Guiliano, '79, Nashua, NH
Ryan C. Murphy, '83, Rumson, NJ
Gabe Gauthier, '84, Buena Park, CA
Mike Hoffman, '80, Weymouth, MA
John Zeiler, '82, Jefferson Hills, PA
Peter Harrold, '83, Kirtland Hills, OH
Bryan Schmidt, '81, Bloomington, MN
Brendan Buckley, '77, Needham, MA
Eric Werner, '83, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
Doug Nolan, '76, Quincy, MA
Manitoba Moose:
Mike S. Brown, '85, Northbrook, IL
Milwaukee Admirals:
Jason Guerriero, '81, Manorville, NY
John Vigilante, '85, Dearborn, MI*
Pat Leahy, '79, Duxbury, MA
Norfolk Admirals:
Carl Corrazzini, '79, Framingham, MA
Adam Burish, '83, Madison, WI
Brandon Bochenski, '82, Blaine, MN
Brandon Rogers, '82, Rochester, NH
Dustin Byfuglien, '85, Roseau, MN*
Danny Richmond, '84, Chicago, IL*$
Mike Ayers, '80, Hingham, MA
Omaha Knights:
David Moss, '81, Livonia, MI
Eric Nystrom, '83, Syosset, NY
Tim Hambly, '83, White Bear Lake, MN
Peoria Rivermen:
Jon DiSalvatore, '81, Bangor, ME
David Backes, '84, Blaine, MN
Mike Stuart, '80, Chicago, IL
Zack Fitzgerald, '85, Two Harbors, MN*
Jason Bacashihua, '82, Garden City, MI*
Philadelphia Phantoms:
Pete Zingoni, '81, Bridgeport, CT
Tony Voce, '80, Philadelphia, PA
Mark Cullen, '78, Virginia, MN
Niko Dimitrakos, '79, Boston, MA
Matt Davis, '82, Dayton, OH
Gino Pisellini, '86, Melrose Park, IL*
Nate Guenin, '82, Sewickley, PA
Portland Pirates:
Drew Miller, '84, Dover, NJ
Ryan Carter, '83, White Bear Lake, MN
Brian Salcido, '85, Hermosa Beach, CA
Clay Wilson, '83, Sturgeon Lake, MN
Providence Bruins:
Bobby Allen, '78, Hull, MA
Mark Stuart, '84, Rochester, MN
Sean Curry, '82, Burnsville, MN*
Jay Leach, '79, Altamont, NY
Rochester Americans:
Drew Larman, '85, Buffalo, NY*
David Booth, '84, Washington, MI
Michael Ryan, '80, Boston, MA
Rob Globke, '82, Farmington, MI
Patrick Kaleta, '86, Buffalo, NY*
Craig Anderson, '81, Park Ridge, IL*
Adam Berkhoel, '81, St. Paul, MN
Jean-Marc Pelletier, '78, Atlanta, GA*$
San Antonio Rampage:
Jeff Taffe, '81, Hastings, MN
Bill Thomas, '83, Pittsburgh, PA
Keith Yandle, '86, Boston, MA*
Joe Callahan, '82, Brockton, MA
Nick Martens, '82, Ann Arbor, MI
Mike Morrison, '79, Medford, MA
Philippe Sauve, '80, Buffalo, NY*
Springfield Falcons:
Dan Cavanaugh, '80, Springfield, MA
Eric Healey, '75, Hull, MA
Matt Smaby, '84, Minneapolis, MN
Syracuse Crunch:
Ben Simon, '78, Shaker Heights, OH
Adam Pineault, '86, Holyoke, MA*$
Joe Motzko, '80, Bemidji, MN
Andy Canzanello, '81, Rochester, MN
Ty Conklin, '76, Anchorage, AK
Toronto Marlies:
Erik Westrum, '79, Minneapolis, MN
Robbie Earl, '85, Chicago, IL
Brett Engelhardt, '80, Sheboygan, WI
Alex Foster, '84, Canton, MI
Jeff Corey, '82, Boothwyn, PA
Chris Harrington, '82, St. Cloud, MN
Jaime Sifers, '83, Stratford, CT
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins:
Rob Schremp, '86, Syracuse, NY*
Ryan Lannon, '82, Grafton, MA
Tom Gilbert, '83, Bloomington, MN
Worcester Sharks:
Tom Cavanagh, '82, Warwick, RI
Joe Pavelski, '84, Plover, WI
Graham Mink, '79, Stowe, VT
Dan Spang, '83, Winchester, MA
Garrett Stafford, '80, Los Angeles, CA
11/11/06
Americans in the NHL
Here’s a look at Americans actually playing in the NHL.
Specifically, it’s a look at the 110 U.S. players who were on NHL club’s 23-man active rosters on the morning of November 1. (Hence, you won’t find, to give one example, Phoenix’s ’82 defenseman Keith Ballard, who was out with an injury at the time, but is back now. But you will find Montreal forward Chris Higgins, an ’83. He was playing on Nov. 1, but is now out with an injury.)
No matter -- the numbers do tend to even out.
The 110 American players comprise a shade under 16% of the players on NHL 23-man rosters.
Of those Americans, 87 came up via the college route, and 25 came through major junior. That number includes the two current NHLers, Dan Hinote and Danny Richmond, who left college for major junior and saw the move pay off. (Hinote played one year for Army before going to the OHL; Richmond played for a year at Michigan before going to the OHL.)
The most telling point here is how very difficult it is to actually get to the NHL. For purposes of illustration, 41 of the Americans in the NHL are between 26-30 years old (’76, ’77, ’78, ’79, and ’80 birthdates). That’s an average of eight players for each birth year. Think about that.
And now think about this: last year, a little over 21,500 ‘90 birthdates were registered with USA Hockey. And out of that number, only eight are likely to make it to the show!
The message? It’s simple. Stay in school as long as you can. It beats working.
Note:
We’re busy getting the prep pages together so don’t have the time to make any kind of full-fledged study on the above. But we’d be really interested to hear readers’ thoughts, discoveries, conclusions, theories, numerical breakdowns, etc.
In the list below, we’ve denoted major junior players with a #.
American players on NHL active 23-man rosters as of Nov. 1, arranged by birth year.
1962 (1)
Chris Chelios, D, Detroit
1963 (0)
1964 (0)
1965 (0)
1966 (0)
1967 (0)
1968 (0)
1969 (2)
John LeClair, F, Pittsburgh
Mathieu Schneider, D, Detroit #
1970 (7)
Sean Hill, D, NY Islanders
Tony Amonte, F, Calgary
Bret Hedican, D, Carolina
Mike Modano, F, Dallas #
Keith Carney, D, Minnesota
Jeremy Roenick, F, Phoenix #
Bill Guerin, F, St. Louis
1971 (5)
Ken Klee, D, Colorado
Doug Weight, F, St. Louis
Bryan Smolinski, F, Chicago
Craig Conroy, F, Los Angeles
Aaron Miller, D, Los Angeles
1972 (3)
Mike Dunham, G, NY Islanders
Derian Hatcher, D, Philadelphia #
Keith Tkachuk, F, St. Louis
1973 (4)
Brian Rafalski, D, New Jersey
Jason Blake, F, NY Islanders
Todd Marchant, F, Anaheim
Brian Rolston, F, Minnesota
1974 (4)
Tim Thomas, G, Boston
Mark Mowers, F, Boston
Kevyn Adams, F, Carolina
Jay Pandolfo, F, New Jersey
1975 (7)
John Grahame, G, Carolina
Jamie Langenbrunner, F, New Jersey #
Shawn Bates, F, NY Islanders
Bates Battaglia, F, Toronto
Hal Gill, D, Toronto
Mike Grier, F, San Jose
Rory Fitzpatrick, D, Vancouver #
1976 (5)
Chris Clark, F, Washington
Jeff Halpern, F, Dallas
Chris Drury, F, Buffalo
Matt Cullen, F, NY Rangers
Alex Brooks, D, New Jersey
1977 (13)
Erik Rasmussen, F, New Jersey
Dan LaCouture, F, New Jersey
Scott Clemmensen, G, New Jersey
Tom Poti, D, NY Islanders
Joe Corvo, D, Ottawa
Mark Eaton, D, Pittsburgh
Brian Pothier, D, Washington
Marty Reasoner, F, Edmonton
Brent Johnson, G, Washington #
Jeff Hamilton, F, Chicago
Brian Boucher, G, Chicago #
Mark Parrish, F, Minnesota
Dan Hinote, F, St. Louis # (plus NCAA)
1978 (8)
Rob Scuderi, D, Pittsburgh
Erik Cole, F, Carolina
Robert Esche, G, Philadelphia #
Mike York, F, NY Islanders
Tom Priessing, D, Ottawa
Ben Clymer, Washington
Toby Petersen, F, Edmonton
Pat Rissmiller, F, San Jose
1979 (7)
Scott Gomez, F, New Jersey #
Paul Mara, D, Boston #
Brian Gionta, F, New Jersey
Jim Fahey, D, New Jersey
Johnny Pohl, F, Toronto
Tyler Arnason, F, Colorado
George Parros, F, Colorado
1980 (8)
Adam Hall, F, NY Rangers
Doug Janik, D, Tampa Bay
Andrew Hutchinson, D, Carolina
David Tanabe, D, Carolina
Ryan Miller, G, Buffalo
Mike Rupp, F, New Jersey #
John-Michael Liles, D, Colorado
David Legwand, F, Nashville #
1981 (8)
Kurt Sauer, D, Colorado #
Andrew Alberts, D, Boston
Andy Hilbert, F, NY Islanders
Paul Martin, D, New Jersey
Rick DiPietro, G, NY Islanders
Freddy Meyer, D, Philadelphia
Ron Hainsey, D, Columbus
Brad Winchester, F, Edmonton
1982 (7)
Michael Komisarek, D, Montreal
Paul Gaustad, F, Buffalo #
Chad LaRose, F, Carolina #
Jimmy Slater, F, Atlanta
R.J. Umberger, F, Philadelphia
Noah Welch, D, Pittsburgh
Brett Lebda, D, Detroit
1983 (8)
Ryan Whitney, D, Pittsburgh
Tim Gleason, D, Carolina #
Chris Higgins, F, Montreal
Ryan Hollweg, F, NY Rangers #
Ryan Shannon, F, Anaheim
Matt Greene, D, Edmonton
Matt Jones, D, Phoenix
Lee Stempniak, F, St. Louis
1984 (7)
Zach Parise, F, New Jersey
Cam Janssen, F, New Jersey #
Patrick Eaves, F, Ottawa
Danny Richmond, D,Chicago # (plus NCAA)
Dustin Brown, F, Los Angeles #
Matt Carle, D, San Jose
Ryan Kesler, F, Vancouver
1985 (4)
Danny Fritsche, F, Columbus #
Paul Stastny, F, Colorado
Patrick O’Sullivan, F, Los Angeles #
Ryan Suter, D, Nashville
1986 (1)
Matt Lashoff, D, Boston #
1987 (1)
Phil Kessel, F, Boston
# Denotes major junior player
11/10/06
AJHL Roster for Jamboree
Here’s the Atlantic Junior Hockey League roster for the USA Hockey Junior Jamboree, which runs Mon-Tues Nov. 13-14 in Blaine, Minn.
Goaltenders: Andrew Ross (Boston Bulldogs); Erick Cinotti (NJ Rockets).
Defensemen: Kenny McAdams (Hudson Valley Eagles); Bill Day (Washington Jr. Nationals); Paul Arnott (Northern Cyclones); Jake Gaffey (Boston Bulldogs); Justin Porpora (NY Bobcats); Ryan Boucher (Portland Jr. Pirates).
Forwards: Tony Resendes (Northern Cyclones); Tom Derosa (Northern Cyclones); Patrick Moriarity (NY Bobcats); Scott Birnstill (NY Bobcats); Oscar Von Sydow (NY Bobcats); Jack Nolin (Boston Bulldogs); Mark Hanscom (Northern Cyclones); Gio Capodanno (NJ Rockets); Nick Cacciotti (NJ Rockets); Andrew Stratman (Northern Cyclones); Eric Tufman (Philadelphia Little Flyers); P.O. Michaud (Portland Jr. Pirates).
Note: Defenseman David Schoonover (Binghamton Jr. Senators) was selected but is unable to play due to a shoulder injury.
Head Coach: Bill Flanagan (Northern Cyclones).
Assistant Coaches: Joe Flanagan (Northern Cyclones) and Mark Tinordi (Washington Jr. Nationals).
11/10/06
MET League Roster for Blaine Jamboree
Here’s the Metropolitan Junior Hockey League roster for the USA Hockey Junior Jamboree, which runs Mon-Tues Nov. 13-14 in Blaine, Minn.
Goaltenders: Martin Ausserhofer (Hudson Valley Eagles); Dan Ramirez (Portland Jr. Pirates).
Defensemen: Dan Lassik (Valley Forge Minutemen); David Rose (Valley Forge Minutemen); Chris Fetrow (Walpole Express); Jaime Plamondon (Portland Jr. Pirates); Justin Rohr (NJ Rockets); Mark Ouimet (Portland Jr. Pirates).
Forwards: Jon Swavely (Valley Forge Minutemen); Billy Latta (Philadelphia Jr. Flyers); Bobby Hannah (Portland Jr. Pirates); Robert Durkee (Central Penn Panthers); Nick Asterito (Valley Forge Minutemen); Nicholas Deresky (NJ Rockets); Timothy D’Orazio (Valley Forge Minutemen); Kyle Weiland (Portland Jr. Piraates); Charles Nerbak (NJ Rockets); Andrew Brady (Valley Forge Minutemen).
Head Coach: Jerry Domish (Valley Forge Minutemen)
Assistant Coaches: Andy Scott (Central Penn Panthers); Sean O’Brien (Portland Jr. Pirates); Dustin DePalma (Junior Titans).
11/9/06
Warrior Classic Gets Underway
The 18-team Warrior Classic gets underway today at the Valley Forum in North Andover, Mass., with select games being played at Merrimack College.
Here’s the full schedule:
Thurs. Nov. 9 – all games at Valley Forum, Lawrence, Mass.
9:00 a.m. – Jr. Warriors vs NE Huskies
11:00 a.m.-- Bandits vs Harbor Wolves
1:00 p.m. -- Jr. Bruins vs NH Monarchs
5:00 p.m. -- Portland Pirates vs Brewster Bulldogs
7:00 p.m. -- NJ Rockets vs Belle Tire
9:00 p.m. -- NJ Rockets Jr. B vs NSA
Fri. Nov. 10 – all games at Valley Forum except as noted
8:00 a.m. -- Belle Tire AAA vs Northwood (@ Merrimack College)
9:00 a.m. -- Portland Pirates vs NJ Rockets
10:00 a.m. -- Jr. Bruins vs NE Huskies (@ Merrimack College)
11:00 a.m. -- Flyers AAA vs NJ Rockets Jr. B
1:00 p.m. -- Brewster Bulldogs vs NSA
3:00 p.m. -- NH Monarchs vs Bandits
5:00 p.m. -- Jr. Warriors vs NJ Hitmen
7:00 p.m. -- CD Selects vs Harbor Wolves
9:00 p.m.-- Apple Core vs Syracuse Stars
Sat. Nov. 11 – all games at Valley Forum except as noted
8:20 a.m. -- NSA vs Flyers AAA (@ Merrimack College)
9:00 a.m. -- Syracuse Stars vs CD Selects
11:00 a.m. -- Apple Core vs NE Huskies
1:00 p.m. -- NJ Hitmen vs Bandits
1:00 p.m. -- NJ Rockets vs Northwood (@ Merrimack College)
3:00 p.m. -- Belle Tire AAA vs Flyers AAA
3:00 p.m. -- NJ Rockets Jr. B vs Brewster Bulldogs (@ Merrimack College)
5:00 p.m. -- Jr. Bruins vs CD Selects
5:00 p.m. -- Jr. Warriors vs Syracuse Stars (@ Merrimack College)
7:00 p.m. -- Apple Core vs NH Monarchs
7:00 p.m. -- Northwood vs Portland Pirates (@ Merrimack College)
9:00 p.m. -- Harbor Wolves vs NJ Hitmen
Sun. Nov. 12 – all games at Valley Forum, Lawrence, Mass.
9:30 a.m. – Semifinal -- Gold Division Winner vs Wildcard Winner
10:40 a.m. – Semifinal -- Blue Division Winner vs White Division Winner
3:20 p.m. – Championship Game
11/9/06
Come on Man, Patience!
6’5”, 220 lb. University of Wisconsin freshman defenseman Nigel Williams, unhappy with his lack of playing time, has withdrawn from the University of Wisconsin and is headed for the OHL.
Williams will be signing with the Saginaw Spirit, Stephen Colbert’s favorite team, coached by former NTDP coach Bob Mancini.
Williams, a second-round pick of Colorado in last summer’s entry draft, played last season in the NTDP.
The NTDP is turning into a pretty nice farm system for the CHL. In the past two years alone, a half dozen former NTDPers have wound up in major junior – Williams, Matt Auffrey, Patrick Kane, Peter Mueller, Phil McRae, and David Kolomatis.
Williams, who has played in one of the first 10 Badger games, was also unhappy with his lack of playing time in the NTDP.
11/09/06
Hines Wins NCAA Award of Valor
With Veteran’s Day coming up, it’s a good time to pause and think about those in the hockey community who have given their lives for their country.
We’re happy to report that former Army hockey player Derek Hines, who died Sept. 1, 2005 during a firefight with insurgents in Baylough, Afghanistan, has been awarded the 2007 NCAA Award of Valor.
Reports from Hines’ commanding officer indicate that the 25-year-old high-energy forward from Newburyport, Mass., who played at St. John’s Prep before going on to West Point and graduating with the class of ’03, fought until he drew his last breath, firing at insurgents well after being fatally shot.
“We are very grateful to the NCAA for choosing to honor Derek Hines’ memory with this special award,” Army head hockey coach Brian Riley said. “I think if Derek was here today he would be embarrassed by the attention given to him and he would ask for everyone to remember all those soldiers engaged in the war on terrorism.”
Last season, Hines’ initials were inscribed on the helmets of the Army players. In addition, his initials were inscribed on the ice along with an American flag. The program has also established the Derek S. Hines Award, which recognizes those who display extraordinary support to the Army hockey program. After his West Point playing career had ended, Hines served the program as a volunteer assistant for a year.
Hines, a first lieutenant in a Ranger division, had been in Afghanistan for six months with the 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment. On Aug. 21, 2005, less than two weeks before his death, he was in a firefight that killed four members of his unit. Hines helped pull four dead Rangers from a Humvee while heavy artillery exploded around them.
Hines, the son of Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Steven Hines and his wife, Susan, left three younger siblings.
On his return from active duty, Hines had hoped to attend the Harvard Business School.
The NCAA Award of Valor is a special award given to a former NCAA athlete who, in defense of his country, acts in a manner “above and beyond the call of duty.” It is not given every year, and it is not given lightly. It is only given in extraordinary situations.
11/8/06
Stollery to Merrimack
Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL) 5'11", 170 lb. LD Karl Stollery has committed to Merrimack for either next fall or for '08.
Stollery is the leading scorer among the d-men on the Kodiaks, who are a league best 18-2-1.
A fleet-footed, mobile, puck-moving d-man, Stollery has a 6-8-14 line in 18 games.
Stollery is the second member of the Kodiaks to commit to Merrimack this fall. Last week, center Chris Barton committed to the Warriors.
-- Last week Minnesota-Duluth got a commitment from 6'0", 180 lb. Kodiaks LD Evan Oberg, an '88 form Forestburgh, Alberta.
11/6/06
Help Wanted
We need interns – of any age – to help out with the U.S. Hockey Report during the winter months. Hours are whatever you are able to afford.
-- We need help with prep coverage – either helping out with recaps or doing game reports from campus sites.
-- We need someone with web/tech skills to look into the implementing of photography, video, podcasts, and advertisting on the site.
-- We need a researcher – or researchers -- for various studies we’d like to do, most of which we haven’t even thought of yet. We also want people who keep up on various leagues around the country to be our eyes and ears. We need more coverage from areas outside the northeast.
-- We have a great opportunity for someone to cover girls/women’s hockey, most especially at the prep level, but also at the level of college and U.S. select teams. We also need help in posting girls rosters, schedules, and scores. We don’t want to have any gaps in the reporting of scores, so that all the league standings are accurate this year. This is a position of responsibility, and is a paid position.
Applicants should be enterprising, reliable, alert, bold, good-natured, talented, cheerful, honest, easy-going, creative, and witty. But we’re not picky.
11/6/06
Prep Pages Open for Business
The 2006-07 prep pages have opened and there are already some schedules up – look for a flood of them over the next seven to ten days.
For those new to USHR, the prep pages can be reached through the link in the left-hand column menu on this page.
If there are any coaches out there who did not receive a username/password and/or need instructions on how to upload their schedules, rosters, etc., please email admin (at) ushr.com or call Noah Cutler at (413) 303-1215.
For editorial/hockey matters, please email cwarner (at) ushr.com or call Chris Warner at (617) 497-1659.
As coaches are putting up their school’s regular season schedule, we’ll be putting up all the holiday schedules. We already have a batch of Thanksgiving tournament schedules posted in the prep pages. We will be moving on to the Christmas/New Year’s tournaments over the next few days.
11/4/06
Good News, Bad News for Union
Powell River Paper Kings (BCHL) LC Adam Presizniuk has committed to Union College for next fall.
A 6’0”, 180 lb. native of Calgary, Presizniuk is a playmaker with a knack for putting up points. In 21 games, has a 17-18-35 line. Last season, the late ’86 had 63 points in 49 games.
-- In other Union news, freshman goalie Shaun Williams has retired from hockey before even getting into a college game.
Williams, who played in the USHL for the Chicago Steel last season, has had four surgeries in the last three years.
Last season, he tore his ACL, but had surgery – his third on the knee -- over the summer. In practice this fall, he suffered a painful torn mediscus, saw the writing on the wall, and hung ‘em up.
11/3/06
The Name Fits
5’10”, 175 lb. Tri-City Storm (USHL) wing David Brownschidle has committed to Brown University and will be arriving there in either ’07 or ’08.
An ’89 from Lawrenceville, NJ, Brownschidle also received interest from Yale, Dartmouth, Cornell, and Princeton. They all wanted him for ’08.
In six games this year, Brownschidle has a 0-0-0 line. Last year, he had a 1-1-2 line in 30 games. As you can see, he’s not a point producer. He is, however, a good, solid 3rd-4th line role guy. He plays hard, and has even gotten into a couple of scraps this year.
Brownschidle is a nephew of the all the upstate New York Brownschidles – Mark (BU) and Jack and Jeff (both Notre Dame) who populated college hockey in the ‘70s and early ‘80s.
Brownschidle will be playing on one of the two USHL teams heading to the USA Hockey Junior Jamboree in Blaine, Minn. on Nov. 13-14.
11/3/06
A Pioneer
6’1”, 180 lb. RC Tyler Bozak of the Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) has committed to Denver for next fall.
Bozak, an ’86 from Regina, Sask., is the second-leading scorer in the league. He’s not fast but he’s very good on draws, plays with grit, and is a proven point producer who’ll contribute right away for the Pioneers. Last year, he finished up with 31 goals and so far this season he has a 15-31-46 line in 18 games.
Both Alaska schools, UNO, Maine, and Northeastern were also in the picture.
11/3/06
Points ‘R’ Me
Strathroy Rockets 6’0” center Max Campbell has committed to Western Michigan.
Campbell, a 12/21/88 birthdate, has been lighting up the Western Ontario Jr. B League, having posted a 17-26-43 line in just 14 games.
In one game alone, he had eight points.
Campbell is threatening franchise scoring records set by former Rockets like Brian Wiseman (Michigan), Mark Ouimet (Michigan), and Andy McDonald (Colgate/currently Anaheim).
11/3/06
MacVoy to Return to CCHA
6’2”, 205 lb. Omaha Lancers (USHL) winger Zach MacVoy has committed to Lake Superior State for next season.
MacVoy already has a season of NCAA experience, having played sparingly for the University of Michigan as a freshman last season. MacVoy got into 20 games and had a 1-3-4 line and left at the end of the year to look for a better spot for himself.
Before going to Michigan, MacVoy, an ’87 from Livonia, Mich., played two years in the NTDP program.
MacVoy, who has a 1-4-5 line with 14 pim in nine games with the Lancers also had interest from Maine and Northeastern.
11/3/06
Quick Pick
6’0”, 180 lb. Salisbury senior LD Kevin Quick has committed to the University of Michigan for next fall.
Quick made his final choice from among Clarkson, Ohio State, Providence, and, of course, Michigan.
Quick, a Tampa Bay third-round pick in June’s draft, is a strong skater with considerable offensive savvy. Last season at Salisbury he posted a 3-21-24 line.
A 3/29/88 birthdate, Quick is from Tonawanda, NY.
11/2/06
Gophers Look East
6’3”, 200 lb. RD Grant Scott of the U.S. Under-17 Team has committed to the University of Minnesota for the fall of ’08.
Scott, a 1/7/90 birthdate from Sewickley, Pa., played forward last season for Shady Side Academy, which is just outside of Pittsburgh.
For the Gophers, this is really stretching out the recruiting grounds, kind of like John Blue surfing in from Southern California (via Des Moines) back in the early ‘80s.
11/2/06
Brutlag Coming East
5’11”, 175 lb. RD Bryan Brutlag, a senior at Holy Angels HS, has committed to RPI for the fall of ’07.
Brutlag is having a strong fall playing in the Minnesota High School Elite League, where he and Wisconsin recruit Ryan McDonagh each have 15 points to top the scoring leaders among defensemen. As that number would indicate, Brutlag is a skilled, power play type.
A 2/26/89 birthdate, Brutlag was a first round pick of Tri-City in October’s Futures Draft.
Brutlag, who’s from Lakeville, Minn., could have waited longer and gone to the USHL next season -- a lot of WCHA schools were talking to him -- but he’s a top student and feels he can contribute at RPI right away.
11/1/06
Barton a Warrior
Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL) LW Chris Barton, the younger brother of Ohio State senior forward Dave Barton, has committed to Merrimack for next fall.
Barton, an ’87 from Calgary, is a point producer who has averaged a little under a point per game for his career. Last year, as a rookie in the league, he had 43 points in 58 games. This season, he has 18 points in 18 games for the Kodiaks, who sport a 16-2-1 record are – like most years – sit atop the league.
Notes:
Other players on the Kodiaks who are getting a lot of attention are:
-- 5’11”, 175 lb. ’89 forward Mike Connolly, who has a 7-9-16 line in 14 games, and has narrowed his college choices to Boston University and Wisconsin.
-- 6’3”, 175 lb. ’90 forward Joe Colborne, the team’s second-leading scorer with a 8-9-17 line in 17 games. He’s second to none as a student, though, and is getting plenty of Ivy attention.
-- In the USHL, Des Moines Bucs 6’0”, 195 lb. power forward Travis Paeth has committed to Northern Michigan.
Paeth, who finishes his checks and has a strong shot with a nice release, is an ’87 from Muskegon, Mich. who played last season for Traverse City (NAHL).
In addition to Northern Michigan, Lake Superior State, and Quinnipiac also were in the hunt for Paeth.
