The World of Junior Hockey

Quad City Jr. Flames to be renamed the Wisconsin Whalers

noreply@blogger.com (Nathan Fournier) — Sat, 25 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Press Release

The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) has announced that the Quad City Jr. Flames have renamed their team to the Wisconsin Whalers. The new name announcement comes after the team was granted approval earlier this month by the NA3HL Board of Governors and the USA Hockey Junior Council to relocate to Madison, Wisconsin for the 2013-14 season.

The Whalers will be based out of Hartmeyer Ice Arena in Madison, Wisconsin. For the past nine seasons, the team has played their games at the River’s Edge in Davenport, Iowa. Six of those years were played as the Quad City Jr. Flames and three years previous to that as the Quad City Express.

“We thought a lot about a team name that would have a nice ring and flow to it and also be able to establish a nice hockey tradition and we thought the Wisconsin Whalers did both,” said Whalers Governor and Head Coach Tom McDermott. “We are excited to be at our new home and there is a renewed sense of purpose and desire to make it a long-term success on and off the ice We want to represent the NA3HL well as its only member from the state of Wisconsin.”

The Whalers logo is highlighted by a navy blue, Vegas gold and white color scheme. The name ‘Wisconsin Whalers’ runs across the bottom while a single ‘W’ and whale tail sit above the name. Tryouts for the Whalers begin the weekend of August 3rd.

The Whalers new website www.wisconsinwhalers.com is expected to be up and running in the near future.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

Musketeers Affiliate Meirs Moore Commits to RPI for 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Nathan Fournier) — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Press Release

Sioux City, IA. - The Sioux City Musketeers announced today that affiliate player Meirs Moore has committed to play collegiality at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute beginning in the 2014-15 season.

The Duluth, Minnesota native made his debut as a Musketeer on November 10th, 2012 in the Tyson Events Center during the teams annual Military Appreciation Night game against Waterloo.

He returned to the Musketeers blue line in late March after completing his senior season at Duluth East High School, where he put up 49 points in 31 games for the Greyhounds. He was a +5 in 9 games played during the 2012-2013 USHL season.

Musketeer coaching staff were pleased with the announcement, and . “As an organization we are obviously very proud and excited for Meirs. He will be in a great place at RPI.” stated Assistant Coach Keith Paulsen. “Seth Appert has done a great job with the RPI organization, and Meirs will be a great fit for Coach Appert and his team.”

Assistant coach Mark Abalan weighed in on Moore's abilities as a player "Meirs is a smart puck moving defenseman who has great offensive instincts and looks to dictate the game from the back end. He always has a positive impact on the game for his team.“

Executive Vice President Rich Zaber was thrilled as well. “We're always excited when our players move on to the next level. It's just one more part of what makes coming to a Musketeers game fun. Fans love to follow players while they are here, as well as when they move on to the next level. We definitely have a unique opportunity for Sioux City residents to experience tomorrows college and professional hockey athletes, right here today. In Sioux City.”

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

Mike Lee Commits to University of Vermont

noreply@blogger.com (Nathan Fournier) — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Press Release

Congratulations to Mike Lee on his Division One commitment to the University of Vermont. Mike was a key member of the U16 Wolf Pack Elite team that placed second in the USA National Championship. Lee has been with the Wolf Pack/Bobcat program since his Bantam Minor year. Lee said " It wouldn't be possible with the development through the Wolf Pack organization."

Lee is currently a sophmore at the Gunnery School in Connecticut and is a member of the Wolf Pack U18 National team this fall.

Congrats to Mike Lee and his family!

University of Vermont is a Division I school that competes in Hockey East. Vermont has appeared in the NCAA Men's Hockey Championship five times since making the move to Division I in 1974-75 including trips to the Frozen Four in 1996 and 2009.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

Warriors Solidify Coaching Staff

noreply@blogger.com (Nathan Fournier) — Fri, 24 May 2013 19:19:00 +0000

Press Release

Moose Jaw Warriors General Manager Alan Millar announced the re-signing of Assistant Coaches Mike Vandenberghe and Mark O’Leary.

“We are very pleased to keep this coaching staff intact under Mike Stothers leadership,” said Millar. “Both Mike and Mark bring strong hockey credentials to our team and bring individual qualities that are an asset to the Warriors hockey club.”

Vandenberghe is entering his third season on the Warriors bench, he joined the team midway through the 2010-2011 season. He made his WHL playing debut with the Warriors in 1987-1988, he went on to play four more years with Brandon and Medicine Hat. After graduating from the WHL, Vandenberghe went on to a lengthy professional career in the ECHL, WPHL, and UHL. He was the Head Coach and General Manager of the SJHL’s Notre Dame Hounds, and was an Assistant Coach with the Brandon Wheat Kings and University of Regina Cougars.

O’Leary is entering his second season with Moose Jaw. He played three years in the Ontario Hockey League with Mississauga and Guelph from 2003 to 2006. O’Leary then went on to play five years of professional hockey in the AHL, ECHL, and CHL.

Vandenberghe and O’Leary will both be on the ice this weekend in Caronport for the Warriors 2013 Prospect Camp. 26 players from across western Canada and the United States, including the 2013 Bantam Draft Class, will be taking part in a number of on-ice sessions, which are free for fans to attend. For more information on Prospect Camp, go to mjwarriors.com

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

Texas Stars Sign Brendan Ranford to PTO for 2013-14 Season

noreply@blogger.com (Nathan Fournier) — Fri, 24 May 2013 19:11:00 +0000

Press Release

CEDAR PARK, TX – The Texas Stars announced today that left wing Brendan Ranford has signed a professional tryout contract for the upcoming 2013-14 season.

Ranford, 21, completed his fifth and final season of major junior hockey with the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League, where he recorded 87 points (22 goals, 65 assists) and 28 penalty minutes in 70 games played. The Edmonton, Alberta native finished the regular season tied for the team lead in assists, ranked second in games played, fourth in points and tied for fourth in goals. Ranford also appeared in 15 post-season games, scoring 20 points (5 goals, 15 assists) as he helped Kamloops reach the Western Conference Finals of the 2013 WHL Playoffs before losing to the eventual WHL Champion Portland Winterhawks in five games.

The 5-foot-10, 181-pound left wing appeared in 348 career WHL games for Kamloops, tallying 357 points (137 goals, 220 assists) and 298 penalty minutes. The Blazers are owned by Tom Gaglardi, owner of the Dallas Stars. Ranford was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the seventh round (209th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, but did not sign with the club by the June 1, 2012 deadline and has since become a free agent. He won a silver medal at the 2009 World Hockey Challenge U-17 tournament playing for Canada Pacific, scoring seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) in six games. Ranford’s uncle Bill Ranford was a former NHL star goaltender, two-time Stanley Cup winner and is the current goalie coach for the Los Angeles Kings.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

Lumberjacks Relieve Jim McKenzie of Head Coaching Duties

noreply@blogger.com (Nathan Fournier) — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:26:00 +0000

Press Release

MUSKEGON, Michigan (May 24th) – The Muskegon Lumberjacks have announced that they have dismissed Head Coach Jim McKenzie of his duties within the organization.

“We strive to be the best in the United States Hockey League, and simply put, we did not achieve our goals this past season,” said Lumberjacks President Tim Taylor. “The second half of the season was not acceptable by the organization’s standards. Our fan base, players, staff, and the community as a whole deserve better than average, so we will continue to work hard at being the best.”

The Lumberjacks are currently in the process of finding a new head coach for the upcoming 2013-14 season and expect to have an announcement made in the near future.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

Jay Varady Named New Head Coach and General Manager of Musketeers

noreply@blogger.com (Nathan Fournier) — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Press Release

Sioux City, IA. - The Sioux City Musketeers pleased to announce that Jay Varady will be the new Head Coach and General Manager of the Musketeers Hockey Team. Varady will begin his new position with the team immediately.

Varady comes to Sioux City by way of Angers, France, where he was the Head Coach for the Les Ducs d'Angers for the last two seasons. Over the last two seasons, Angers achieved an overall regular season and cup record of 55-14-6, while winning 4 playoff rounds with Varady at the helm. Angers was the regular season champions in 2012-2013, and made it all the way to the finals in league playoffs.

Jay began his hockey career in the USHL back in 1995-96 season, when he played for the Dubuque Fighting Saints. After two seasons with the Saints, he moved on to a college playing career with Union College, where he competed for three seasons. He jumped from playing hockey to coaching hockey with Union College immediately after a playing career ended after the 1999-2000 season. He spent his senior seasons as a volunteer assistant with Union before moving on to an Assistant Coach position with Pittsburgh of the NAHL. From Pittsburgh, Jay moved on to Everett in the WHL, where he served as an Assistant Coach for the first four seasons of his stay with the Silvertips. He was promoted to Associate Head Coach of the Silvertips in his 5th season with the team, where he remained until he was hired as the Head coach of the Ducs in France at the end of the 2010-11 season. Varady also has experience with the USA Hockey program, having served as the Video Coach for the World Junior team that won Gold in 2010 under the guidance of former USHL coach and current University of Nebraska Omaha Head Coach Dean Blais.

"We're excited to welcome Jay to our team” stated Musketeers Owner and President, Lloyd Ney. “He brings with him a strong work ethic, and a commitment to winning that our players and fans will recognize from day one. As a former USHL captain, Jay knows our league, and he knows how to meet the goals of the team and the players. He's a great choice to continue the progress of our hockey club"

When asked about his return to the USHL, Varady was elated. “I am excited about the opportunity to return to the USHL, it is a great league with a long history of developing players. We are looking to continue the tradition of great hockey in Sioux City. Our staff will work every day to build a team that the fan base can be proud of while providing our players with the opportunity to reach their goals.”

A press conference introducing Jay as the new Head Coach and General Manager has been scheduled for 2:00pm on Thursday, June 20th at the IBP Ice Center.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

HAWKS' LEIPSIC SIGNS WITH PREDATORS

noreply@blogger.com (Nathan Fournier) — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:31:00 +0000

Press Release

The Nashville Predators have announced that they have signed Winterhawks forward Brendan Leipsic to a three-year entry level contract. Leipsic was drafted by the Predators in the third round, 89th overall, in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Leipsic shared the league lead in scoring this season with linemate Nic Petan with 120 points each, as they won the Bob Clarke Trophy as the WHL’s leading scorers. Leipsic’s 49 goals also led the league, and he went on to add 24 points in 21 playoff games, helping lead the Winterhawks to the WHL Championship. He has one goal and one assist for two points through three games at the MasterCard Memorial Cup. Leipsic was also named to the WHL's Second All-Star Team.

In 201 regular season games over three seasons, Leipsic has career totals of 93 goals and 118 assists for 211 points.

“Brendan has steadily improved every season and become one of our cornerstone players,” said Winterhawks Acting Head Coach Travis Green. “Signing an entry level contract is a big first step towards a professional career, and we’re excited for Brendan and his family.”

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

The QMJHL congratulates Patrick Roy

noreply@blogger.com (Nathan Fournier) — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:54:00 +0000

Press Release

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League congratulates Patrick Roy on his nomination as head-coach and Vice President of Hockey Operations of the Colorado Avalanche.

Roy spent the last eight seasons as head coach and general manager of the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He guided the Remparts to a 348-196 record (.640) in 544 regular season games behind the bench, which included leading Quebec to the 2006 Memorial Cup title as the Canadian Hockey League champions.

"We are all very happy for Patrick Roy's nomination. He was and remains an exemplary ambassador of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The Avalanche has made an excellent choice and we wish him nothing but success."

Roy played three season (1982-83, 1983-84, 1984-85) in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Granby Bisons (159 games in regular season) and entered the professional ranks with the Montreal Canadiens in 1985-86.

He had a dazzling beginning and impressed all with his spectacular saves especially during the playoffs. Roy won his first Stanley Cup in 1986.

He had an impressive and brilliant 18 season career in the National Hockey League and holds a significant number of regular season and playoff records.

Roy was inducted into the QMJHL Hall of Fame presented by RDS in 2004.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

Knights eliminate tournament hosts from contention

noreply@blogger.com (Nathan Fournier) — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:52:00 +0000

Press Release

The London Knights recorded six goals while limiting the Blades’ scoring chance to a minimum with some tight defensive play on their way to a 6-1 victory over the 2013 MasterCard Memorial Cup hosts.

The Knights got the game’s opening goal on a penalty shot at 3:24. Bo Horvat, who had previously been taken down on a breakaway attempt, slowly came down the middle and slid the puck between Andrey Makarov’s pads to put the Knights up 1-0.

Early in the second period, Paxton Leroux received a four-minute boarding penalty, giving the Blades a golden opportunity to tie up the score at one. Unfortunately, they were unable to generate any kind of quality scoring chance.

The Knights took a 2-0 lead on a fantastic individual effort from Seth Griffith. The Knights forward picked up the puck in the neutral zone, accelerated into the offensive zone before going through four Blades defenders and burying his third goal of the tournament.

Less than one minute later, London broke the host team’s backs as Chris Tierney, parked in the slot, one-timed a beautiful Max Domi pass into the net.

The Knights retreated to their dressing room with a three-goal lead after forty minutes of play.

The Blades found no solace in the third period with London registering three goals in the first four minutes of play courtesy of Ryan Rupert, Kyle Platzer and Nikita Zadorov.

Saskatoon did manage to break up the shutout thanks to a Nathan Burns goal at 11:40.

Jake Patterson made 32 saves in the victory. Bo Horvat was named the game’s first star.

The semi-final game of the 2013 MasterCard Memorial Cup will see the London Knights battle the Portland Winterhawks on Friday. The game can be seen live on Sportsnet and TVA Sports starting at 8 pm ET / 9 pm AT.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

Cary Eades Named USHL Coach of the Year

noreply@blogger.com (Nathan Fournier) — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:47:00 +0000

Press Release

The United States Hockey League today announced that Cary Eades of the Sioux Falls Stampede has been named the 2012-13 USHL Coach of the Year as determined by a vote of USHL coaches and general managers.

In just his first season behind the bench for the Stampede, Eades led the team to a 45-17-2 record and the top spot in the USHL Western Conference. The 45 wins tied for the most in the USHL (Dubuque Fighting Saints) and were the most in team history, surpassing the previous record of 43 during the 2005-06 season. Sioux Falls also recorded 24 victories on home ice to set a new team record, while their 21 victories on the road led the entire USHL.

The Stampede earned a team record 92 points in the standing under the direction of Eades this season, 51 more points than they accumulated last year. That increase represents the largest turnaround in USHL history from one season to the next, surpassing the 50-point improvement made by the Green Bay Gamblers in the 2008-09 season during the first year with Jon Cooper as head coach.

Sioux Falls hit new offensive highs with Eades at the helm as they scored 241 goals, the most for the team in the USHL Tier 1 era (2002-present). They were just one of three USHL teams that boasted six different players who scored 20 goals or more, and the team ranked third in the League averaging 3.77 goals per contest.

The Stampede were also one of the top teams defensively as they allowed the fourth fewest goals in the USHL (187), giving up 2.92 per game. Their penalty killing unit was among the best in the League also as they ranked third with an 84.8% success rate at stopping opponent power plays.

A number of players achieved individual success under the leadership of Coach Eades. Forward Dennis Kravchenko blossomed in his second USHL season (first with the Stampede) and was one of the League’s top scorers as he produced 63 points (21g, 42a) over 56 games to rank 12th overall in scoring. In his first season with the Stampede, forward C.J. Franklin ranked tied for sixth in the USHL with his team-leading 32 goals and tied for third with seven game-winners. Tony Calderone scored 29 goals while playing in all 64 regular season games and was named to the USHL All-Rookie Team. Charlie Lindgren recorded a League best 35 victories between the pipes to set a new Stampede record for victories in a season by a goaltender.

Overall, 17 players on the season-ending roster for the Stampede have earned opportunities at NCAA Division I hockey programs following their USHL careers.

"It didn't take long for Coach Eades to turn the Stampede from a team that didn't make the playoffs, into a contender for both the Anderson and the Clark Cup this past season," said USHL President and Commissioner Skip Prince, "but if you know Cary's record of achievement in hockey, that's not a surprise. His team was tough but disciplined on the ice, exciting to watch, and off the ice in Sioux Falls continued a tradition of being one of the League's best community citizens. Congratulations to one of the most innovative and successful coaches in the game – an accolade that comes not only from me, but from Cary's coaching brethren who voted him Coach of the Year."

This season marked a return to the USHL for Eades after nearly two decades coaching outside the League. He previously coached the Dubuque Fighting Saints for two seasons (1991-93) and led them to a 57-32-7 record. His 100th USHL coaching victory came this season during a 4-3 win over Dubuque on April 6th. It is just the second time a Sioux Falls Stampede head coach has been named the USHL Coach of the Year, following Kevin Hartzell who earned the honor during the 2005-06 season.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

Jim Montgomery Named USHL General Manager of the Year

noreply@blogger.com (Nathan Fournier) — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:45:00 +0000

Press Release

The United States Hockey League today announced that Jim Montgomery of the Dubuque Fighting Saints has been named the 2012-13 USHL General Manager of the Year as determined by a vote of USHL coaches and general managers.

Montgomery was the architect of the most successful season in the history of the Dubuque Fighting Saints. The team posted a 45-11-8 record and earned a League best 98 points in the standings to capture the USHL Anderson Cup. It brought the title back to Dubuque for the first time in 30 years. The Saints compiled a stellar 25-3-4 record at the Mystique Community Ice Center, the most home victories in team history and tying a USHL Tier 1 era (2002-present) mark for wins on home ice. They would also go on to win the Clark Cup in the postseason, the second time in three years under Montgomery that they have won the title.

After returning just four regular players from the 2011-12 season, Montgomery had the daunting task of replacing nine of the top ten scorers, including a pair of first-round picks in the 2012 NHL Draft – Zemgus Girgensons and Mike Matheson. The general manager did so by recruiting a trio of forwards that would light up the scoreboard and each tally 30 goals or more this season – Mike Szmatula (37), Peter Quenneville (33), and Frank DiChiara (30). It was just the second time in the Tier 1 era that a USHL team had three players each score 30 goals (Indiana Ice, 2010-11).

While replacing a large chunk of the roster from last year, the success this season came from a group that Montgomery kept mostly intact from the first day of training camp. He made very few roster moves throughout the season, but those he did make had significant impacts. He acquired goaltender Christian Frey who would post a 7-2-2 record over his 12 appearances, plus added affiliate player Karson Kuhlman and veteran forward Joseph Manno from the collegiate ranks, both of whom were key contributors over the second half of the season and in the playoffs.

The Saints received significant contributions from several youngsters this season, including a pair of players that Montgomery signed to tenders – Seamus Malone and Keegan Ford. Both played the season as 16-year-olds and were regulars in the lineup. Malone produced 27 points (6g, 21a) and a plus-12 rating in 50 games as a forward while defenseman Ford tallied 16 points (4g, 12a) and a plus-19 rating in 43 contests. Another 16-year-old, Dylan Gambrell, was selected by the team in the first round of the 2012 USHL Futures Draft and played a huge role for the Saints, scoring 27 points (9g, 18a) and posting a plus-14 rating.

While Montgomery’s team showed no shortage in offense, Dubuque was also the USHL’s top defensive team this season, giving up a League low 154 goals. The defense was backstopped by goaltender Arthur Brey who would post an impressive 24-6-4 record and lead the League with a 2.22 goals-against-average in just his first USHL season. Montgomery also brought in a pair of first-year defensemen to lead the defense. Niklas Nevalainen posted a plus-51 rating to lead the USHL while Jeff Taylor was third with a plus-41 mark.

"For the last three years, the Dubuque Fighting Saints have been a standard-bearer for the USHL, and a much of the credit for their success, both on and off the ice, goes to Coach Montgomery," said USHL President and Commissioner Skip Prince. "It all came together this past season, as Jim led the Saints to League trifecta – the Clark Cup, the Anderson Cup…and even the Cowbell Cup as the winner of the series with rivals Waterloo and Cedar Rapids. It's been a pleasure and a privilege to see him build a new tradition of excellence in Dubuque, and we congratulate him as he takes his skills to the University of Denver next year. Well done!"

Montgomery continued to develop NHL Draft prospects, including four players from this season’s team that were listed on the NHL Central Scouting final rankings in advance of the 2013 NHL Draft. Defenseman Michael Downing leads the group and is projected to be an early-round selection, while forwards Quenneville, DiChiara, and John Stevens have garnered attention from NHL scouts. Dubuque also had 18 players on the season-ending roster who have earned NCAA Division I hockey opportunities following their USHL careers.

Over three seasons in the USHL, Montgomery’s teams posted a 118-45-21 record, a .698 winning percentage. It is the second time he has been named USHL General Manager of the Year. He now moves on to college hockey as he recently accepted the position of head coach at the University of Denver.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

Wings Pre-Draft Camp Begins Friday!

noreply@blogger.com (Nathan Fournier) — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Press Release

The Aberdeen Wings will be holding their Pre-Draft camp this Friday-Sunday at the Saint Thomas Ica Arena in Mendota Heights, MN. The Pre-Draft Camp is used to find prospects for the up coming NAHL Draft and also to invite players to our Main Camp held in July. We are estimating to have over 80 players in camp divided into 4 teams with each team playing 5 games over the course of the weekend.

“We are very excited for our upcoming Pre-Draft camp. Each year we have found players at this camp that have made big impacts on our team. It projects to be an exciting camp with a lot of good prospects.” – Coach Winter

Previous Wings players who have come through our Pre-Draft camp include Jake Horton, Tyler Cisar, Spencer Lawrence, Tanner Holmquist, Steven Johnson, Michael Prochno and former Wing and current University of Miami Defenseman Taylor Richart.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

MATT MCILVANE NAMED ASSISTANT COACH OF THE CHICAGO STEEL

noreply@blogger.com (Nathan Fournier) — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Press Release

Orlando, FL - The Orlando Solar Bears announced today that former Solar Bears Assistant Coach Matt McIlvane has been named the Assistant Coach for the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League (USHL).

McIlvane played 100 professional hockey games from 2007-11 and was an eighth round pick (251st overall) of the Ottawa Senators in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. His playing career includes stops in the ECHL, CHL, IHL, and the DEL in Germany. Prior to turning pro, McIlvane played three seasons in juniors, including one season with the Chicago Steel in 2003-04, and spent four years as a member of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Matt McIlvane

A native of Naperville, IL, McIlvane served as the Head Coach and General Manager of the Danville Dashers in the Federal Hockey League (FHL) during the 2011-12 season. He became an assistant coach with the Solar Bears in July of 2012.

"I'm very thankful for the opportunity that the Solar Bears ownership and Drake Berehowsky gave me to improve my coaching skills," said McIlvane. "That opportunity helped me grow as a young coach and it was an honor to be part of the inaugural season. The professionalism of the Orlando Solar Bears organization is second to none, and the passion of the fans helped make Orlando a great place to coach."

"We are very excited for Matt to get this opportunity," said Head Coach Drake Berehowsky. "He did an excellent job with the Solar Bears this season, and the job with the Steel will help him continue to gain valuable experience as a coach. I am thankful for his hard work with the Solar Bears and wish him the best in his future endeavors."

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

MASTERCARD MEMORIAL CUP DISCIPLINARY ACTION

noreply@blogger.com (Nathan Fournier) — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:33:00 +0000

Press Release

Saskatoon, SK – The Canadian Hockey League announced today that the National Hockey League Hockey Operations department has suspended Dalton Thrower of the Saskatoon Blades under supplemental discipline for the balance of the 2013 MasterCard Memorial Cup. The suspension was for a check to the head that occurred in the first period of Wednesday's game that injured opponent Taylor Leier of the Portland Winterhawks.

The 2013 MasterCard Memorial Cup is proudly supported by MasterCard, title sponsor of this event for 15 straight years. Associate sponsors include Bank of Montreal, Subway, Old Dutch, Post, and broadcast partners Sportsnet and TVA Sports.

For more information about the event please visit www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

Rangers Sign Mense-Dietrich

noreply@blogger.com (Nathan Fournier) — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:55:00 +0000

Press Release

Kitchener Rangers Head Coach and General Manager Steve Spott announced today that the team has signed forward James Mense-Dietrich to an Ontario Hockey League contract. Mense-Dietrich was the Rangers’ seventh round pick in the 2013 OHL Priority Selection

Described by Rangers’ scouts as a smart player with natural goal scoring ability, Mense-Dietrich recorded 26 goals and 21 assists in 28 regular season games with the Stayner Siskins of the Georgian Mid Ontario Junior C Hockey League (GMOHL) last season.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

McCool Commits to IceDogs

noreply@blogger.com (Nathan Fournier) — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:55:00 +0000

Press Release

Niagara IceDogs head coach and general manager Marty Williamson announced today that the IceDogs have signed 2013 OHL Priority Selection Hayden McCool.

McCool was selected by the IceDogs in the first round, sixth overall, from the Whitby Wildcats back on April 6th.

The Whitby native is a 6'2", 183 lbs. centre who put up 21 goals and 13 assists for 34 points in 33 games this past season. He is described a player who "has all the potential to be a dominant player in our league. He has size, skill and skates well...Hayden is a huge centre that gets up and down the ice very well and has the ability and quickness to beat defenders off the rush."

Williamson is thrilled to have McCool signed.

"I couldn't be happier to have Hayden signed" said Williamson. "We were excited to have the opportunity to take him back on draft day and now having him signed is the next step in the process. He is a big part of our future and we look forward to seeing him in an IceDogs uniform for years to come."

As excited as Williamson is about the signing, McCool seems even happier.

"It’s great. It's a dream come true." said McCool. "Everything sinks in and becomes a little more realistic each day. I can’t believe it’s happened. I was ecstatic to be drafted by the IceDogs on draft day and now to sign is equally exciting. It’s a great organization and not too far from home so I just can’t wait to get started."

McCool will now join all the other draft picks for a rookie orientation day on June 8th where the players will come to St. Catharines for a tour of some key IceDogs facilities and a BBQ. McCool then plans to have a summer of workouts where he will prepare to finally hit the ice for the IceDogs in training camp come late August.

The entire IceDogs organization would like to congratulate Hayden on his signing and welcome him to the team.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

Steelheads sign forward Everett Clark

noreply@blogger.com (Nathan Fournier) — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:52:00 +0000

Press Release

Mississauga, ON – The Mississauga Steelheads are proud to announce the signing of forward Everett Clark to a standard OHL player contract. Clark was selected by Mississauga in the 5th round (90th overall) at the 2012 OHL Priority Selection. The 5’10, 185lbs forward was a member of the 2012-13 OMHA Midget ETA “AAA” championship winning Whitby Wildcats.

Clark, a native of Whitby, Ontario appeared in 20 games for the Whitby Wildcats Midget AAA team this season, posting 23 points (9 goals, 14 assists) and adding 54 penalty minutes. Clark’s skating ability will be a welcome addition to the Mississauga lineup as he looks to join former teammate and current Steelheads forward Bobby MacIntyre next season. "Everett is a playmaking forward who was an important member of a successful Whitby Wildcats AAA Midget club. We are excited about incorporating Everett's skill and competitiveness into our line-up" said Steelheads Head Coach and GM James Boyd.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

Jr. Ducks 16U captain Nyhus signs NAHL tender

noreply@blogger.com (Nathan Fournier) — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Press Release

The Anaheim Jr. Ducks of the North American Prospects Hockey League have announced that 16U defenseman Evan Nyhus has signed an NAHL tender with the Kenai River Brown Bears. Nyhus was the captain of the 16U Ducks team this past season.

Nyhus, 17, is a solid, good-sized defenseman at 5’11/175 and led the Ducks 16U team in scoring for all defenseman this past season. The native of Dove Canyon, California, recorded 14 points (2 goals, 12 assists) in 22 NAPHL regular season games. Those numbers ranked him 6th in scoring on the team. The Ducks finished with the second best record in the NAPHL 16U Division with a mark of 19-2-1 and 39 points.

“Evan is a smooth skating defenseman, with good poise and sense. We are excited that he chose to compete for a spot with us,” said Brown Bears head coach Oliver David. “He played a ton on minutes last year, in all situations for his team. He was also the captain of his team. We like that here in Bear Country. Evan has had great coaching being around the Burcar brothers, and others in the Ducks Organization. The recent success of the Jr. Ducks Club throughout all levels has been a testament to that.”

Last season, Nyhus played for the LA Kings 16U team where he recorded six points in 31 games played.

Hyhus is the fourth member of this past year’s Ducks 16U team to sign an NAHL tender joining Shane McMahan (Fairbanks), Elijah Barriga (Amarillo) and Riley Hummitsch (Coulee Region).

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

Clippers Add Dman

noreply@blogger.com (Nathan Fournier) — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Press Release

The Nanaimo Clippers are pleased to announce that 17 year old defenceman Edwin Hookenson has committed to play for the team this upcoming season. Hookenson joins the Clippers after playing last season for the Swift Current Legionnaires of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League. The 6’0” 180lb defenceman calls Lampman, Saskatchewan home. He was the captain of the Legionnaires where he played 44 games and had 7 goals, 23 assists, for 30 points.

Coach Vandekamp: “We are very excited to add Edwin to our roster for next season. He is an exciting prospect for us in many ways. On the ice he has good size, good skating ability, competitiveness, and skill. He is a very good defensive player and he has a tremendous amount of offensive upside as well. As the captain of his team he has learned to become a leader both on and off the ice. He is a dedicated student who wants to advance to the NCAA after playing in the BCHL. We are looking forward to helping Edwin reach those goals and would like to welcome him and his Family to the Clippers Family.”

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

Brendon Kearney Joins Rivermen

noreply@blogger.com (Nathan Fournier) — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Press Release

The Langley Rivermen Junior “A” Hockey club is pleased to announce the commitment of forward Brendon Kearney (1995 born) for the 2013-2014 season. Kearney hails from Northville, Michigan and was the captain for Detroit Honeybaked and put up 24 goals and 49 assists in 62 games.

“I am beyond excited to come to Langley next year. I have heard nothing but good things from top to bottom about the organization and in meeting Mr. Henderson, I really liked what he had to say and feel the Rivermen will be a good fit for me come next season,” said Kearney.

Kearney is a left winger that stands at 6 feet, 185 pounds and describes himself as a playmaking two-way player,

“I feel I can really make plays in the offensive zone and score when needed, but at the same time it does not take away from my defensive game. I really enjoy playing in all situations and I hope I can come in and gain the coaching staff’s trust right away.”

Rivermen Head Coach and General Manager Bobby Henderson has had his eye on Kearney for a while now and was thrilled to land him,

“Brendon is a very solid all-around player that brings an outstanding compete level. He has a nice skill set and a good mind for the game and has shown he can put up good numbers. We know we are getting a leader and a dependable player and we see him helping our team in every aspect,” Henderson said.

Kearney had a whirlwind season as he took his team all the way to the national championship game, but unfortunately fell short in the end. He also had a taste of Junior “A” hockey in the USHL as he suited up in six games for the USNTDP Juniors.

“Last year was a great experience for me and I think I have really grown as a player. It was tough to lose in the national title game, but I am very proud of our team as not many people expected us to be there. As for my experience in the USHL, it was great. Just being able to be around the top players in my age group and see the work they put in on a daily basis really put things into perspective for me. Now I know how hard I need to work to achieve my goals,” Kearney explained.

As for expectations in his first season in the BCHL, Kearney made it pretty clear cut what he hopes to accomplish,

“I just want a strong overall first year. Personally I want to come in and contribute anyway I can and hopefully gain some interest from division one schools. On a team level I want to bring the Fred Page Cup to Langley and win the RBC Cup, it’s as simple as that,” Kearney finished.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

New Jersey 18U defenseman Burr signs NAHL tender

noreply@blogger.com (Nathan Fournier) — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Press Release

The New Jersey Jr. Titans, proud members of the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL), are pleased to announce that 18U defenseman Ryan Burr has signed an NAHL tender with the Corpus Christi IceRays. The IceRays compete in the South Division of the NAHL.

Burr, 17, just completed his first season with the Jr. Titans 18U team, where he ranked 2nd in team scoring with 11 points (6 goals, 5 assists) in 22 games played. The Toms River, New Jersey native also had three points in four NAPHL Championship Series games.

Burr (5’10/180) also recently competed in the 2013 NAPHL Top Prospects Tournament held a few weeks ago in Frisco, Texas, where he helped Team East to the Top Prospects Championship. He was one of seven New Jersey players who participated in the Top Prospects event joining Nikita Samoylov, Ryan Price, Chris Wuestneck, Tim Gelatt, Dominic de la Guardia, and Joe Licata.

Following the event, he signed his tender with Corpus Christi.

Burr also played for the Toms River North high school hockey team. He is the first player from the Jr. Titans 18U team to sign an NAHL tender this season.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

Brown Bears goaltender Zelzer makes NCAA DI commitment

noreply@blogger.com (Nathan Fournier) — Thu, 23 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Press Release

The Kenai River Brown Bears, proud members of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), have announced that goaltender Marcus Zelzer has made a commitment to play NCAA Division I hockey for Michigan Tech University beginning in the 2013-14 season. Michigan Tech is a member of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA).

Zelzer, 20, has spent three seasons playing and developing in the NAHL with three different teams. The native of Green Bay, Wisconsin began this past 2012-13 season playing for the Aberdeen Wings where he had spent the better part of two seasons. At the beginning of January, he was acquired by Kenai River in a trade with Aberdeen, as the Brown Bears were seeking a #1 goaltender.

While in Kenai River, Zelzer (6’3/200) flourished and put up the best numbers of his NAHL career. In 11 regular season games with the Brown Bears, Zelzer posted a 6-2-2 record, a 1.84 goals against average and a 93.3% save percentage. Despite missing almost two months to injury, he came back just in time for the playoffs where he again played well as Kenai River fell in five games to the Fairbanks Ice Dogs in the West Semi-Finals.

He was named the NAHL’s West Division Star of the Week back on February 11th. His performance was in direct correlation with a stretch of games in which the Brown Bears went unbeaten in regulation in nine straight games.

“We acquired Marcus in trade as a result of placing a goalie on the season ending IR and we were happy to jump at the chance to get him from Aberdeen,” said Brown Bears head coach Oliver David. “We needed to solidify things in goal and Marcus was exactly the type we were looking for. We had previous knowledge of him, we were excited at the chance to get him. He was the key factor in our success at that time, and was a great addition. We could not have been happier.”

David continued… “We are so proud of Marcus here in Bear Country. He was outstanding during his time with us and he immediately bought in and fit in with our team. He is a top notch person and a great goaltender. I just can't say enough about the kid. Congrats to Michigan Tech for giving him the opportunity. They will be very pleased with his work ethic and superior competitiveness.”

Of Zelzer’s 81 career NAHL regular season games, 63 of those were played in Aberdeen over the portion of three seasons. After beginning his NAHL career with the Wenatchee Wild in 2010-11, where he played in seven games, Zelzer was traded to Aberdeen, where he finished the season. During the 2011-12 season, he played the entire season with the Wings. In his NAHL career, he posted a record of 32-33-6 with a goals against average of 2.97 and a save percentage of 91%.

He is the eighth Brown Bears player to secure an NCAA commitment this season, joining: Mikhail Bushinski (Utica), Brad Duwe (Alaska-Anchorage), Albin Karlsson (Niagara), Zac Lazzaro (Utica), Dylan Meier (Augsburg), Chris Nuth (Wisconsin-Eau Claire) and Ryan Walker (Utica).

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

Winterhawks clinch berth in semi-final

noreply@blogger.com (Nathan Fournier) — Thu, 23 May 2013 03:18:00 +0000

Press Release

The Winterhawks’ offence came to life in the third period, recording three unanswered goals to help Portland secure a 4-2 victory over the Saskatoon Blades as well as a berth in the semi-final of the 2013 MasterCard Memorial Cup.

Saskatoon Blades netminder Andrey Makarov was tested often in the early going, facing five shots on goal in the first four minutes of play. Makarov standed on his head throughout the opening barrage.

Following an injury to Taylor Leier, who was helped off the ice after a hit, play got very physical with both clubs dishing out solid bodychecks.

The Winterhawks were the first to get on the scoreboard at 6:44 of the second period. Defenseman Derrick Pouliot let a shot go from the point that took an awkward bounce before finding the back of the net.

The Blades tied the score at one on the power-play at 11:20. Shane McColgan redirected an Erik Benoit shot behind Mac Carruth.

Despite a four-minute power-play window at the end of the second period, Portland was unable to capitalize. Both teams retreated to their dressing rooms tied at one.

The Winterhawks were able to get the lead 4:08 into the third frame. Chase De Leo was insistent in the crease and eventually, his efforts paid off as he registered his second goal of the tournament.

Portland added another marker less than two minutes later. Brendan Leipsic made a little hesitation move before letting a quick wrist-shot go that found the top corner of the net.

Ty Rattie added another marker at the midway point of the third period to put Portland up 4-1. Josh Nicholls was able to get one back for the Blades, but it was too little too late.

With Portland’s victory over the Blades, the Halifax Mooseheads clinch a spot in the 2013 MasterCard Memorial Cup final which will be played on Sunday.

The tie-breaker game of the 2013 MasterCard Memorial Cup will see the London Knights battle the Saskatoon Blades. The game can be seen live on Sportsnet and TVA Sports starting at 8 pm ET / 9 pm AT.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

All-USHL First and Second Team Named for 2012-13

noreply@blogger.com (Nathan Fournier) — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:35:00 +0000

Press Release

All-USHL First Team members include goaltender Kevin Lindskoug of the Muskegon Lumberjacks, defensemen Paul LaDue of the Lincoln Stars and Ian McCoshen of the Waterloo Black Hawks, in addition to forwards Taylor Cammarata and Justin Kloos of the Waterloo Black Hawks and Mike Szmatula of the Dubuque Fighting Saints.

Players selected to the All-USHL Second Team include Omaha Lancers goaltender Alex Lyon, defensemen Michael Brodzinski of the Muskegon Lumberjacks and Niklas Nevalainen of the Dubuque Fighting Saints, along with forwards Austin Cangelosi of the Youngstown Phantoms, Jake Guentzel of the Sioux City Musketeers, Kyle Novak of the Green Bay Gamblers, Peter Quenneville of the Dubuque Fighting Saints, and Dominic Toninato of the Fargo Force.

Nine different USHL Member Clubs are represented on the All-USHL Teams. The Waterloo Black Hawks lead the way with three players on the First Team, and the Clark Cup champion Dubuque Fighting Saints also have a trio of players honored. The Second Team includes five forwards due to ties in voting conducted by USHL coaches and general managers.

“The USHL is literally an 'All-Star' collection of players from the top to the bottom of every roster on every Club – so to get named to the All-USHL Teams is just an extraordinary honor for these players," said USHL President and Commissioner Skip Prince. "It was also extraordinary to review the votes of the League's 16 coaches and general managers – some of the best minds in junior hockey – as they reached across team loyalties and locker rooms to give full credit to the top of this year's 2012-13 class of players. Memorize the names on this list, because you'll be seeing them on NCAA and NHL rosters – and All-Star teams – in the coming years."

All-USHL First Team

Kevin Lindskoug (G), Muskegon Lumberjacks

The native of Sweden was recently named the 2012-13 USHL Goaltender of the Year after posting a 23-18-6 mark during the regular season. His save percentage of .923 led the League while his 2.49 goals-against-average ranked second among USHL goaltenders. The 20-year-old recorded eight shutouts, setting a new USHL Tier 1 era (2002-present) record. He made a League season high 52 saves in the 3-1 win against Team USA on March 1st, the most saves by a netminder in a game since November 2009. Lindskoug will play professional hockey next season in Sweden.

Paul LaDue (D), Lincoln Stars

A 2012 NHL Draft pick of the Los Angeles Kings, LaDue was recently named the 2012-13 USHL Defenseman of the Year. He led all League defensemen with 49 points (12g, 37a) while playing all but two of the 64 regular season games for the Stars. His plus-27 season rating was sixth overall among League defensemen. LaDue finishes his USHL career as the highest-scoring defenseman in Stars history with 83 points (21g, 62a) in 118 regular season games. The 20-year-old will return to his hometown to begin his collegiate hockey career at the University of North Dakota next season.

Ian McCoshen (D), Waterloo Black Hawks

The Verona, Wisconsin native was second in scoring among USHL defensemen with 44 points (11g, 33a) despite playing in only 53 of his team’s 64 regular season games. He was the leader of the USHL’s top power play unit (25.4%) as he dished 20 assists on the man-advantage, second most in the League. His plus-35 rating was the third best mark overall by a defenseman. Still only 17, McCoshen was in his third USHL season. The highest-rated USHL skater in advance of the 2013 NHL Draft, he will begin his NCAA hockey career this fall at Boston College.

Taylor Cammarata (F), Waterloo Black Hawks

Becoming one of the most decorated players in USHL history, Cammarata was recently named both the USHL Forward of the Year and Player of the Year. He led the League with 93 points (38g, 55a) in 59 games, the second most points scored in the Tier 1 era. His 38 goals led the League and were the third highest total by a player over the last 11 seasons. The recently turned 18-year-old posted a plus-39 rating this season, ranking fourth in the USHL. He finishes his Black Hawks career tops in assists (97) and second in points (162). He will play college hockey at the University of Minnesota.

Justin Kloos (F), Waterloo Black Hawks

The 19-year-old finished second in USHL scoring with 87 points (29g, 58a) in 54 games. His 58 assists led the League and were the second most in the Tier 1 era behind John Kemp of the Indiana Ice who dished out 59 assists in 2007-08. Kloos led the USHL with 31 points (10g, 21a) on the power play. He equaled a League season high with five assists in a victory against Omaha on January 26th, one of two five-point games he recorded during an eight-game point streak from December 31st to February 8th. He now returns to his home state and will play hockey at the University of Minnesota.

Mike Szmatula (F), Dubuque Fighting Saints

Playing in all but one of the 64 regular season games for the Saints, the forward put up 76 points (37g, 39a) to rank fifth in USHL scoring. He tied for second in the League with 37 goals, including 12 power play tallies which tied for the USHL lead. After scoring the game-winning goal in his USHL debut on September 28th, he would register a point in 16 of the first 17 games of the season. Szmatula ranked second in the League with a plus-49 rating after finishing with a minus rating in just seven games this season. The 20-year-old will play hockey at Northeastern University next season.

All-USHL Second Team

Alex Lyon (G), Omaha Lancers

The Baudette, Minnesota native appeared in 50 games this season for the Lancers and totaled the second most minutes (2,894) between the pipes of any USHL goaltender. He earned 26 victories, third most in the League, and his .916 save percentage was the second best mark in the USHL. Lyon ranked fourth with a 2.65 GAA. In games that he faced 40-or-more shots, he produced an impressive 6-2-0 record. The 20-year-old also led USHL netminders with six shootout victories, stopping 15-of-18 total attempts in the extra session. He will play college hockey next season for Yale University.

Michael Brodzinski (D), Muskegon Lumberjacks

Also a member of the USHL All-Rookie Team, Brodzinski led all League defensemen with 16 goals, the most goals by a USHL blueliner since the 2009-10 season. He tallied nine goals on the power play, second most by a League blueliner. He tied for sixth among defensemen in scoring with 33 points (16g, 17a) over 61 games while posting a plus-10 rating. He also helped the Lumberjacks rank fourth in USHL penalty killing (84.6%). The Ham Lake, Minnesota turns 18 next week and is a prospect for the upcoming 2013 NHL Draft. He is committed to the University of Minnesota.

Niklas Nevalainen (D), Dubuque Fighting Saints

The 19-year-old from Finland collected 33 points (5g, 28a) over 60 regular season games, tying for sixth among USHL defensemen in scoring. He anchored a defense that allowed the fewest goals in the League (154). Nevalainen finished with a minus rating on just five occasions this season and recorded a USHL best plus-51 rating overall, the second highest mark in the Tier 1 era behind Blake Coleman (+52 for Indiana Ice in 2009-10). The defenseman posted a season high plus-six on January 5th in an 8-2 win against Green Bay. He is committed to St. Cloud State University.

Austin Cangelosi (F), Youngstown Phantoms

The Estero, Florida native finished the season 11th overall in scoring with 64 points (21g, 43a) in 56 games while posting a plus-16 rating as the Phantoms captain. His 43 assists were the eighth highest total in the USHL and his 16 assists on the power play ranked sixth. The 18-year-old scored five goals over his first three games of the season, including his first USHL career hat trick in a win on October 5th. He tallied another three-goal game in a February victory over Chicago. Cangelosi has scored 50 goals in the regular season over his USHL career. He is committed to Boston College.

Jake Guentzel (F), Sioux City Musketeers

The 2012-13 USHL Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie Team selection adds another honor to his impressive season. He ranked sixth in USHL scoring with 73 points (29g, 44a) and his assist total was also the sixth highest in the League. The 18-year-old closed out the season scoring 43 points (17g, 26a) during a 21-game point streak, tying the USHL Tier 1era record for consecutive games on the scoresheet. The Woodbury, Minnesota native was third in the League with 26 power play points (11g, 15a). A 2013 NHL Draft prospect, he is committed to the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

Kyle Novak (F), Green Bay Gamblers

The League’s fourth-leading scorer with 77 points (27g, 50a) appeared in all 64 games this season for the Gamblers. One of just three players to record 50 assists, he had multi-assist games on 12 occasions. He put together a 14-game point streak from January 13th to March 1st, amassing 22 points (12g, 10a) over that span which included a hat trick on January 18th, his first in the USHL. The 20-year-old led his team with a plus-23 rating and ranked second in the League with four shorthanded goals. The O’Fallon, Missouri native will play college hockey at Western Michigan University.

Peter Quenneville (F), Dubuque Fighting Saints

The native of Edmonton, Alberta played all but one of the 64 regular season games for the Saints and finished tied for eighth in USHL scoring with 70 points (33g, 37a). His 33 goals were the fifth highest total in the League, five of which were game-winners. The 19-year-old fired a League-leading 237 shots on goal and finished the season with a plus-29 rating. He recorded multiple points in five consecutive games from December 8-28th, including a five-point night (2g, 3a) on December 15th. A prospect for the 2013 NHL Draft, he will play collegiate hockey at Quinnipiac University.

Dominic Toninato (F), Fargo Force

The 2012 NHL Draft pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs tied for eighth in USHL scoring with 70 points (29g, 41a) while appearing in all 64 regular season games for Fargo. He scored 25 of his 29 goals at even strength and seven of his tallies were game-winners, tied for the third most in the USHL. He recorded his first USHL hat trick on March 6th, three days before his 19th birthday, as he netted all three of his goals in the first period of a 5-2 win. Toninato posted a plus-29 rating, tied for 12th in the League. He will play college hockey in his hometown at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)